The Energy Information Administration has upped its estimates for global technically recoverable shale gas resources by 10% from its 2011 estimate, and opted to include shale oil in its latest report, with technically recoverable resources pegged at 345 billion barrels. The EIA’s estimates are “highly uncertain” by its own admission, though in fairness, it only sponsored the study. [EIA]

Adding to the litany of concerns about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing, and in Texas, no less: “Abandoned oil field equipment is a common problem in Texas, which is home to vast numbers of old wells that were never properly sealed,” and “some fear that the recent surge in oil drilling, brought about by the modern practice of hydraulic fracturing, will set off worrisome encounters with the old wells”. [NYT]

India’s ONGC and Videocon released, then withdrew, a press release announcing the former’s purchase of a 10% stake in a huge gas field offshore Mozambique from the latter for $2.5bn. ONGC said the news was released inadvertently, and the FT cites “reports” that the deal hadn’t been finalized, which seems embarrassing. [FT]