The complex natural gas flaring issue associated with producing crude oil and other higher-value liquids from the Bakken Shale formation is back in the news as companies seek to address royalty payments owed for certain volumes of that flared gas. There appears to be some legal uncertainty regarding whether companies owe money to royalty owners… Keep reading →
The incredible oil production growth coming from the Bakken Shale formation – from 200,000 barrels per day to 1 million b/d in 5 years – has also brought significant volumes of associated natural gas to the surface. With oil trading at higher prices than those currently paid for natural gas, infrastructure needed to bring that… Keep reading →
Technology start-ups and Russian oil companies are partnering up to turn flared gas into an economic benefit through gas-to-liquid generation Satellite data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that Russia flared 35 billion cubic meters of gas in 2011 and is on par with the amount they’ve previously burned into the atmosphere.… Keep reading →
Addressing the natural gas flaring issue in North Dakota’s portion of the Bakken Shale formation is not as simple as just connecting new wells to pipeline infrastructure. Sometimes new, high-pressure wells can overwhelm existing infrastructure and without additional compression, more frequent maintenance or expanding the system, extinguishing the flares is not feasible. The latest report… Keep reading →
Those familiar with the US oil and gas industry probably saw the now famous picture of North Dakota from space at night that depicts widespread natural gas flaring. As hydrocarbon production – primarily oil – rapidly increases, new wells in remote areas often flare natural gas until gathering pipelines are constructed to transport the gas… Keep reading →
Without stop-gap funding from congress by October 1st, the EPA could ‘Effectively Shut Down,’ leaving it with just a skeleton crew needed in case of emergency. The EPA has reportedly not shut down due to lack of funding since 1996. [AP] French oil major Total could sell its stake in giant Russian gas field Shtokman.… Keep reading →
