Pennsylvania well permits down by 42pc
Pennsylvania issued 146 drilling permits in November, down by 42pc from a year earlier as producers pursued higher output from fewer wells.
The number of permits issued in November was also down from the 210 issued in October, signaling a shift to less drilling as the weather in Appalachia turns colder. Pennsylvania had below-freezing temperatures on the US Thanksgiving holiday, resulting in limited freeze-offs in the production region.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in November issued 130 permits for gas wells and 15 permits for oil wells. The department also issued one permit for a waste disposal well. Gas well permits in November showed a 45pc drop from the 238 gas permits issued a year earlier.
The state in October had issued 210 drilling permits, of which 197 were for gas wells, five were for combined oil and gas and eight for oil. October's total permits showed a 29pc rise from the month earlier, likely on the 6 October start-up of Williams' 1.7 Bcf/d (48mn m³/d) Atlantic Sunrise pipeline expansion, which funnels gas produced in northeastern Pennsylvania to markets on Transcontinental Gas pipeline's mainline and to the Cove Point LNG export facility in Maryland. Gas permits in October were up by 46pc on the month.
Pennsylvania sits atop parts of the Marcellus and Utica shales, which make up the Appalachian shale region. Appalachia is the top production region in the US by volume, and Pennsylvania produces more than half of Appalachia's gas.
October production from Appalachia topped 29.6 Bcf/d, according to the most recent data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Regional output in October was up by 1pc from September and more than a fifth higher than a year earlier. The agency sees output in November climbing to more than 30 Bcf/d.
Gross production from Pennsylvania alone topped 17.7 Bcf/d in September, according to the EIA's most recent production data by state.
Spot natural gas prices at Dominion Transmission South in November averaged $3.78/mmBtu in November, 74pc higher than a year earlier. Argus forward prices show Dominion South averaging $4.04/mmBtu in January, suggesting tighter supply next month.
November drilling permits in neighboring Ohio also fell on the year, according to that state's data. Ohio issued 26 permits last month, down by 26pc from November 2017.
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Brussels, 17 September (Argus) — European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today presented candidates for commissioner posts, confirming names put forward for portfolios including climate, energy, agriculture and trade. Von der Leyen — who was confirmed by European Parliament as Commission president on 18 July — has committed to doubling down on climate and energy policy. Her 2024-29 mandate stipulates greenhouse gas emissions cuts of at least 90pc by 2040 compared with 1990. Her commissioners, if appointed, will implement those policies. She is nominating Teresa Ribera to oversee competition policy but also "clean, just and competitive transition" that would include energy, climate, environment and other Green Deal files. Ribera is Spain's deputy prime minister and responsible for the country's ecological transition. Von der Leyen has proposed the current EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra for the portfolio of climate, net-zero and clean growth. Hoekstra, who replaced previous Green Deal commissioner Frans Timmermans , will also be responsible for taxation. Other nominees include former Danish climate minister Dan Jorgensen, up for energy and housing commissioner. Former Swedish minister for EU affairs Jessika Roswall is proposed for a portfolio including environment and circular economy, and Luxembourgish Christophe Hansen, a former member of EU parliament, is proposed as agriculture and food commissioner. Von der Leyen now needs to ensure that candidate-commissioners are approved by parliamentary committees and then by plenary. Hearings will also focus on candidates' abilities to implement policies. "Parliamentary scrutiny will not cut corners," European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
East Timor takes stake in Bayu-Undan gas field
East Timor takes stake in Bayu-Undan gas field
Darwin, 17 September (Argus) — The partners in the Bayu-Undan joint venture (BUJV) gas project have agreed to transfer a 16pc stake to East Timorese state-owned firm Timor Gap. A sale and purchase deed has been signed, with Timor Gap to participate in BUJV for the remainder of the project's lifespan, with the production-sharing contract for Bayu-Undan running to 30 June 2026 or until extraction ends, said operator Australian independent Santos. The deal follows an initial agreement in 2023 with Timor Gap on the proposed Bayu-Undan carbon capture and storage project, which Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher recently described as the "next big project we really want to focus on" . BUJV includes the near-depleted gas field located 500km northwest of Australia in East Timorese waters, which formerly produced feedstock for the 3.7mn t/yr Darwin LNG terminal operated by Santos. Darwin LNG is preparing to receive next year the first gas from Santos' Barossa project , while Bayu-Undan continues to produce natural gas liquids and for the Australian domestic market. Santos will hold a 36.5pc interest in BUJV following the transfer, Japanese upstream firm Inpex 9.6pc, Tokyo Timor Sea Resources, owned by Japanese utility groups Jera and Tokyo Gas 7.7pc, Italian energy firm Eni 9.2pc and South Korean upstream firm SK E&S 21pc. Timor Gap is the majority shareholder in the Greater Sunrise LNG project, presently in the concept select phase . The Australian government is pressing for more action after years of stalled progress with concerns China could instead develop the field in partnership with East Timor. Greater Sunrise partners Timor Gap with 56.56pc, Australian independent Woodside with 33.44pc and Japanese utility Osaka Gas with 10pc. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Washington voters waver on GHG repeal: Poll
Washington voters waver on GHG repeal: Poll
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The Hague eyes sector agreement to support gas output
The Hague eyes sector agreement to support gas output
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