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Shale plays first come to mind when one considers unconventional resources. These unconventional resource plays may yield natural gas, gas condensates, and crude oil. Some of the more noteworthy shale plays in North America include the Barnett, Haynesville, Marcellus, Eagle Ford, Fayetteville, Woodford, Bakken, Niobrara, Horn River, and Utica formations. Tight gas, coalbed methane, oil sands, and heavy oil are non-shale unconventional resources.
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Shale Gas Plays |
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The total value of US oil and gas mergers and acquisitions increased
significantly in 2011 due to continued investment in US shale plays and related infrastructure, sustained interest from foreign buyers, and private equity entrants deploying capital in the energy industry, according to an analysis of energy M&A data by PwC US. A major trend in the energy sector driving the increase in deal value throughout the year was a shift towards more investments in oil and liquid plays as natural gas prices remained depressed amid hitting a 10-year low in 2011.
Read more here.
The oil and gas sector had an extended seven-year ride (thanks to what took place in unconventional gas shale development) that finally ended in 2009 (also thanks to unconventional gas, when prices crashed). As the industry is currently experiencing drilling expansion with development going forward, especially with a focus on shale, helped by high oil prices, the outlook is quite positive.
But as many in oil and gas, manufacturing, and the investing space know, where there is an up, there will be a subsequent pause in activity, a downturn or a correction – at some point in time. Are we due for a correction? Click here to read the article by Don Warlick.
Can the shale gas revolution currently taking place in the US be repeated elsewhere? Altho
ugh significant volumes of unconventional gas deposits are present in Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK, shale gas developments are running many years behind their counterparts in the US. Skeptics have pointed out that differences in geology, taxes, public acceptance, environmental regulations and other factors in Europe vs. the US make for a tougher environment in which to develop unconventional resources.
Read the article by Bart J. A. Willigers of Palantir Solutions Ltd. here.
Teak Midstream to construct natural gas gathering system, processing plant in Eagle Ford
Feb 22, 2012
Dallas-based TEAK Midstream LLC is constructing over 200 miles of natural gas gathering and residue delivery pipelines and an adjoining 200 million cubic feet per day cryogenic gas processing plant in South Texas to serve gas producers operating in the Eagle Ford Shale play. |
Quebec’s Anticosti Macasty comparable to Utica Shale says Petrolia
Feb 22, 2012
Results of a petrophysical study conducted by Schlumberger Canada Ltd. show that the Anticosti Macasty in Quebec can be compared with the Utica Shale in Ohio, said Petrolia Inc. February 21. |
Magnum Hunter Resources adds Ohio Utica acreage in expanding oil window
Feb 17, 2012
Triad Hunter LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston-based independent energy company Magnum Hunter Resources Corp., has closed on the acquisition of leasehold mineral interests located predominately in Noble County, Ohio from an undisclosed seller for a total purchase price of $24.8 million. |
Forest Oil expands Permian Basin Wolfbone Oil play acreage
Feb 16, 2012
Forest Oil Corp. announced its acreage position of 68,500 gross acres (63,000 net) prospective for the Wolfbone oil play in Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas. |
With third Polish exploration well, San Leon uncovers new potential unconventional gas play
Feb 14, 2012
Europe and North Africa-focused San Leon Energy has completed the drilling and initial evaluation of another unconventional gas well in Poland and discovered a new potential unconventional gas play in the process. |
Venoco files proxy for take-private offer
Feb 14, 2012
Venoco Inc., an independent energy company with substantial holdings in California’s oily Monterey Shale, filed its proxy for the take-private offer of $12.50 per share in cash. |
Petrodyne adds reserves in Mississippian Lime oil play
Feb 14, 2012
Petrodyne Resources Ltd., a domestic onshore oil exploration company, has acquired additional PUD acreage in the core of the Horizontal Mississippi Lime Oil Play in Northwest Oklahoma. |
Voyager to use new credit facility to pay debt, accelerate Williston Basin activities
Feb 13, 2012
Billings, MT-based Voyager Oil & Gas has entered into a new $150 million credit facility with Macquarie Bank Ltd. |
Halliburton, PETRONAS Carigali collaborate on evaluation, development of shale resources
Feb 10, 2012
Halliburton has signed an agreement with PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, the national oil company of Malaysia, for the evaluation and development of global shale resources. |
San Leon completes second Polish shale gas exploration well
Feb 10, 2012
Europe and North Africa-focused San Leon Energy said today that it has successfully completed its second shale gas exploration well in Poland's Baltic Basin. |