Charleston, WV-based Northeast Natural Energy LLC has acquired 11,657 net acres in the core of the Marcellus Shale and associated shallow conventional oil and gas wells from Denver-based Nytis Exploration Co. and from Nytis Exploration of Pennsylvania.

North Dakota’s February Bakken lease sale raised $47 million, the second-highest amount in the state's history.

Grizzly Oil Sands ULC, a company in which Oklahoma City-based Gulfport Energy Corp. holds an approximate 25% interest, submitted an application to the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Environment for the development of an 11,300 barrel per day oil sands project at Algar Lake.

Independent oil and gas company GeoResources Inc. and Resolute Energy Corp. have entered into announced a joint venture project to develop acreage in the Bakken Shale Trend of North Dakota.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has signed a joint-venture agreement with Mitsui E&P USA LLC whereby Mitsui will participate with Anadarko as a 32.5% partner in Anadarko’s Marcellus Shale assets for roughly $1.4 billion.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. has approved an initial 2010 capital budget of $25 million. Most of the budget is set for exploration and development activities associated with the company’s acquisition of assets of Triad Energy Corp.

Pioneer Natural Resources has hit gas at its second significant well in the Eagle Ford Shale, prompting the company to form an asset team specifically focused on future Eagle Ford Shale activity.

After reports that Exco Resources was forced to shut down certain Marcellus drilling activity, the Dallas-based company confirmed that its exploration and production activities, including drilling in the shale play, are proceeding as planned.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has agreed to a $2.25 billion joint venture with Total E&P USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total SA, whereby Total will acquire a 25% interest in Chesapeake's upstream Barnett Shale assets.