Chicago Tribune – Illinois Governor Signs Bill to Regulate Fracking

Illinois is one step closer to  hydraulic fracturing after bipartisan legislation regulating the process was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn. Lawmakers say they hope the new regulations will encourage the oil and natural gas industry to invest in Illinois, helping to create jobs.

Fuel Fix Blog – Colleges Plan Training for Gas Drilling Jobs

Two colleges in southern Illinois are getting a jumpstart on possible oil and natural gas development in the state. Southeastern Illinois College and Rend Lake College are planning to provide training programs focused on safety and other areas related to  energy development.

ExxonMobil Perspectives – A Funny Idea of What “Back In Business” Means

Ken P. Cohen writes that oil... more »

Great question during the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s annual energy conference this week – paraphrasing: Given the technologies, the innovation and risk-taking that mark today’s oil and natural gas industry, what‘s the ceiling for oil and gas development over the next few decades? The U.S. Geological Survey’s Donald Gautier took a crack at it:

“Every time I look at world oil or gas resources, I start adding things up, and I end up with enormous numbers. It just seems like an unavoidable fact, and the issue is about human activities and the contraptions they’re using for getting this out. There is certainly no shortage of molecules out there.”

In other words, oil and natural gas potential will be defined by us – through energy leadership, vision and policy. It will be... more »

House legislation requiring a new federal offshore leasing plan that includes areas off South Carolina and Virginia is the best way to create new access to federal oil and natural gas resources sooner rather than later. Later – much later – is likely under the current federal plan, which would keep lease sales from happening until 2017 at the earliest. Because of the time it takes to develop offshore resources, that means actual production wouldn’t occur until 2024 or even 2027.

Creating access to areas that currently are off-limits is critical to U. S. energy security, job creation and economic growth. Access leads to exploration, which results in the oil and natural gas development that’s vital to President Obama’s pledge to increase domestic production under his all-of-the-above ene... more »

CNN Money – Energy Helps North Dakota Grow Five Times Faster Than Nation

Propelled by a massive energy surge,  North Dakota’s economy grew  13.4 percent  in 2012, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis figures – nearly three times as fast as Texas, the No. 2 state. The oil and natural gas industry is a big economic driver, as well as manufacturing industries.

National Review Online – No More Energy Protectionism

In a guest post, the Heritage Foundation’s Nicolas Loris writes that, “In a free economy, goods and services go to their highest valued use. Natural gas is no different, and it should be treated the same as any other good the U.S. trades around the world.”

Radio Free Europe – An Interview with Daniel Yergin

The IHS CERA chairman  notes that the U.S. oil surge has crea... more »

Ernst & Young has a new study detailing $185.6 billion in total capital spending by oil and natural gas companies last year – the largest in the history of the firm’s oil and natural gas reserves study. Marcela Donadio of Ernst & Young:

“The increased exploration and development spend we’re seeing in this year’s study speaks to the incredible opportunity unfolding in tight oil from shale formations and the high cost of developing these unconventional resources.”

The study of U.S. upstream (pre-refinery stage) capital spending by the 50 largest companies (based on 2012 end-of-year oil and natural gas reserve estimates) found a 20 percent increase compared to 2011. Ernst & Young said the increase was largely due to increased tight oil and liquids activity. That refers to developmen... more »