The latest crude production estimates from North Dakota show continued growth to a new record of nearly 770 Mb/d in December 2012. The North Dakota Pipeline Authority estimates that 64 percent of that crude was transported to market by rail in December – up from 58 percent in November. Today we continue our survey of North Dakota crude rail loading terminals with an in-depth look at three facilities that between them can load 250 Mb/d of crude.

Chevron Canada Ltd. will acquire a 50% operating interest in the Kitimat LNG project and proposed Pacific Trail Pipeline, and a 50% interest in approximately 644,000 acres of petroleum and natural gas rights in the Horn River and Liard Basins in British Columbia, Canada.

Denver, CO-based oil exploration and production company Emerald Oil Inc. has appointed David Veltri as COO.

The Eagle Ford Shale continues to hold enormous value, especially for companies that own premium acreage and are well-positioned in the play according to a recent analysis by Wood Mackenzie. The biggest three players – EOG Resources, BHP Billiton and ConocoPhillips – have a combined remaining value of US$30 billion.

Strong drilling results, coupled with the large prospective area, and magnitude of the resource potential, combine to make the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas a contender for the best tight oil play in the US, according to a new report from IHS.

EOG Resources, Inc. has appointed Michael P. Donaldson as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective May 3. He succeeds Frederick J. "Rick" Plaeger, II, who will begin his transition toward retirement. Plaeger will continue in the role of vice president, Government Relations with EOG.