Cretaceous age TMS garnering attention

Last Thursday (May 16, 2013) the Ohio Department of Natural Resources offered a rare glimpse into 2012 production in the Utica shale. In a long awaited report, the State said that 87 wells drilled by 11 companies produced about 1750 b/d of oil and 35 MMcf/d of gas. Those numbers disappointed investors hoping for evidence of another Bakken or Eagle Ford. But the State data does not tell the whole story. There should be a surge in production now that infrastructure is coming online. And significant condensate production will present new challenges for midstreamers. Today we take a closer look at Utica production.

Houston, TX-based Rosetta Resources Inc. has closed on the previously announced acquisition of Permian Basin assets from Comstock Resources Inc.

Liquids production (oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids) from North American shale formations (includes tight oil plays) will most likely reach 8 million barrels per day by 2020, assuming current activity levels will remain constant and only minor changes will occur to the latest reported performance of wells and fleets.

With three major deals in a month and a half, the Eagle Ford shale formation remains significant in the unconventional resources space.

In the short term midstream companies with crude-by-rail unloading terminals at the Gulf Coast can deliver cheaper light sweet crudes from the Midwest and West Texas. Once new pipelines come online to deliver that crude direct to Houston that price advantage will disappear. At that point rail terminal operators need to diversify their business to survive. Today we look at the fate of Texas Gulf Coast rail terminal operators.

Lighthouse Petroleum Inc., a growth oriented energy company focusing on the exploration and production of oil and gas, today has entered into a joint venture agreement with Matmown Oil and Gas Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Matmown Inc.

Lucas Energy Inc. (NYSE MKT:LEI), an independent oil and gas company with main operations in Texas, has appointed William J. Dale as CFO, treasurer, and secretary of the company.

Penn Virginia Corp. (NYSE: PVA) entered into a definitive agreement with Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. (NYSE: MHR) to acquire producing properties and undeveloped leasehold interests in the Eagle Ford Shale play for approximately $400 million.

US natural gas exports to Mexico grew by 24% to 1.69 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2012, the highest level since the data collection began in 1973.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP has entered into a long-term, fee-based agreement with BP North America to underwrite an additional 50,000 barrels per day of throughput capacity at the petroleum condensate processing facility Kinder Morgan is constructing near its Galena Park terminal on the Houston Ship Channel.

Development of oil and natural gas in the Eagle Ford Shale added more than $61 billion in total economic impact during 2012, according to a study released today by the Center for Community and Business Research in The University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development.

Sanchez Energy Corp. has executed a definitive agreement to purchase assets in the Eagle Ford trend of south Texas consisting of approximately 13.4 mmboe of proved reserves, 4,500 boe/d of current production and approximately 43,000 net acres in Dimmit, Frio, LaSalle, and Zavala Counties, Texas from Hess Corp. for approximately $265 million in cash.

Comstock Resources Inc. (NYSE: CRK) entered into a definitive agreement with Rosetta Resources Inc. (Nasdaq: ROSE) pursuant to which Rosetta will acquire all of Comstock's oil and gas properties in Reeves and Gaines counties in West Texas for a sales price of $768 million.