The chief executive of the world’s largest shale-gas producer on Wednesday hit back at opponents of hydraulic fracturing, accusing them of fear-mongering and lies as protesters demonstrated against the practice.
Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy, told an industry conference that people and the press have a constitutional right to express their views on the controversial gas-extraction process but not to spread untruths. Keep reading →
A Colorado program to convert coal-fired power plants to natural gas could lead the way in increasing the use of the abundant, cleaner-burning fossil fuel for generation in the US, a top shale-gas executive said on Wednesday.
“Colorado is the best model for converting coal-fired plants to natural gas,” chief executive of Range Resources John Pinkerton told reporters after a speech to Shale Gas Insight, an industry conference organized by the Marcellus Shale Coalition. The coalition is an industry group representing energy companies active in the major Northeast US shale play. Keep reading →
An Ohio state legislator introduces a ban on natural gas fracking until EPA releases a health hazard study http://t.co/fkaLfP0 @energynownews
Canada doesn’t cheer when the US economy fails, Alberta’s Energy Minister Ron Liepert told a small gathering a the Canadian consulate in New York City on Tuesday.
The Canadian economy is largely dependent on the success of the American one, he said, and this is particularly true when it comes to energy. As heated debate continues to surround the recently-State-Department-approved TransCanada XL Pipeline, Liepert emphasized that for Alberta, the long-winded American regulatory process was holding up a much needed boost to the province’s economy. Keep reading →
Much like alchemists toiling away in their medieval labs, contemporary firms are trying to find oil out of every other substance that might contain carbon. The challenges are manifold, but the potential prize is huge.
Accelergy, a Houston, Texas-based alternative fuels startup, is trying to commercialize its technology to convert various combinations of coal, natural gas and biomass into a liquid fuel. Keep reading →
News flash: Halliburton exec becomes (presumably) world’s first fracking-fluid imbiber.
Don’t Do This at Home, Boys and Girls Keep reading →
Though hydraulic fracturing has stirred debate, it has quickly become widespread and attracted attention for its potential to boost profit.
Based in the Southeastern United States, C&J Energy Services–which provides various services for the hydraulic fracturing process, including coiled tubing and pressure pumping services–reported an exceptional second quarter in its 2011 financial results. Profit was $33.2 million, up from $1.7 million in Q2 2010 and $29.1 million in Q1 2011. Keep reading →
With renewables ever more popular, the hottest new business may be flexible gas plants that can accommodate intermittent power generation.
An engine provider for both marine vessels and power plants, Finnish company Wärtsilä is busy expanding its flexible, fast-start gas-fired generation business in North America. On August 18, the company announced the commissioning of a new Modesta, California 49.6 MW natural gas plant, that uses six 20-cylinder 34SG Wärtsilä engines that can ramp up to full power within five minutes of being turned on and reach optimum efficiency within another five minutes. Keep reading →
Natural gas used for power generation emits about half as many greenhouse gases as coal during its production, distribution and use, environmental research organization Worldwatch Institute said.
The group’s report is the latest contribution to a burgeoning debate on the environmental advantages of natural gas. Keep reading →
The State Department on Friday released its final environmental assessment of the Keystone XL, removing a major barrier to the construction of the 1,700 mile oil pipeline, which would stretch from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf Coast.
In a report consistent with the agency’s earlier findings, the final Environmental Impact Statement found the proposed pipeline would have “no significant impact” to the vast majority of resources along the pipeline corridor, and suggested moving forward on the project with limited modifications. Keep reading →
