Below is a list of the most viewed articles on OGFJ.com for the month of October.

As determined by you, our readers, the content below is the most engaging and interesting for the month of October 2012. Each selection features a short summary and a link to the original article.

1. Utica Shale Development: How do early-stage characteristics equate to other North American shale plays? Analysts say that the Utica Shale, which is nearly equal to the size of the Eagle Ford play in Texas could become the third-largest shale play in the United States, producing as much as 250,000 to 500,000 barrels of oil a day.
2. USGS says Utica Shale development could require 127,500 wells
   The drilling and oilfield services industry should be pleased with the first assessment of oil and gas reserves in the Utica Shale play by the US Geological Survey, which indicates that extraction of the reserves would take approximately 110,000 wells in the gas window and another 17,500 wells in the oil window.
3. IHS: Too early to determine ‘sweet spots,’ but Utica Shale important US liquids-rich resource
   According to a recent report from IHS, a global source of information and analytics, although it is still premature to conclude that the Utica/Point Pleasant Shale play in Ohio and western Pennsylvania will be as productive as the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas, the Utica is in many ways analogous to the Eagle Ford and early drilling results are encouraging.
4. JOBS Act of 2012 offers provisions to promote oil and gas company growth
   Oil and gas companies face considerable capital expenditures. A smaller oil and gas company wishing to expand requires considerable investor support. The JOBS (Act of 2012 makes it easier for such companies to attain that needed support.
5. A tank car train for hire – Part II – Understanding rail transportation strategies
   There has been a strategic shift in the way rail transportation is being used by the petroleum industry. This article dissects the strategies being used and discuss how things are evolving in the world of tank cars.