A unit of Williams Partners LP is initiating a binding open season from March 4 to March 26, 2010, for an expansion of its Transco pipeline to provide incremental firm natural gas transportation capacity to transport Pennsylvania Marcellus supply to New York and New Jersey markets.

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.

While Marathon Oil Corp.’s $5.1 billion 2010 CAPEX budget is 17% lower than last year, the company plans to advance its resource plays, including those in the Marcellus, Woodford, and Haynesville, and Bakken shales.

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.

The Houston energy law firm of Burleson Cooke has added five lawyers to its Pittsburgh office to better serve companies with an interest in the Marcellus Shale formation.

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.

CNX Gas Corp. has earmarked $400 million for shale programs and coalbed methane programs in 2010.

Ultra Petroleum Corp. has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire approximately 80,000 (net) acres in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale, from a private company for $400 million, less the assets which will be financed using debt.

The banking syndicate of Houston-based Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., led by Wells Fargo as administrative agent, has agreed to increase its borrowing base from $284 million to $350 million.