ALBUQUERQUE (KR
QE) – New Mexico’s struggling natural gas industry could get a big boost from Japan. The massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastated Japans’ Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Japan is now looking for new sources of energy, and natural gas is high on the list. Read and Watch the Full Story Here
Japan Looks at New Mexico as natural gas source
May 13, 2013 by
Export LNG for Economic Benefit to New Mexico
May 6, 2013 by
Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas Would be Immediate Economic Boon for New Mexico
by Paul Gessing, May 3, 2013.
If the Obama Administration approves liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to non-free trade nations (those that do not have separate trade agreements with the United States), New Mexico could see an immediate increase in economic output of $200 million and the addition of 2,000 jobs according to a new Rio Grande Foundation analysis of publicly-available data.
To come to its conclusions regarding the jobs and economic input of natural gas exports, the Foundation relied on data available from IHS Global Insight which stated that “exports would create over 100,000 direct, indirect, and economy wide jobs and have an immediate impact resulting in between $3.6 and $5.2 billion in potential revenues.”
Albuquerque Company Part of Domestic Oil Boom
November 5, 2012 by
The oil industry across the United States is booming, and Albuquerque based company Wellkeeper is right in the middle of the action. Even though there isn’t a oil well within hundreds of miles of the company’s headquarters, this company is helping the industry to grow by providing remote measuring and monitoring services from Wellkeeper’s Albuquerque offices. Learn more by listening to the interview of Jim Taylor, Wellkeeper, Chief Operating Officer.
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Draft Secretarial Order Revising Rules for Co-Development of Oil & Gas and Potash Resources in Southeast New Mexico
July 12, 2012 by
A draft Order to promote orderly and safe development of oil and gas and potash development was announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on July 12, 2012. The public is encouraged to comment on the draft Order during the 30-day public comment period. All comments will be considered in the final rule, which is expected to be completed later this year.
You may submit comments related to the draft Secretary’s Order by any of the following methods:
E-mail: therrell@blm.gov;
Fax: 505-954-2115; or
Mail:
Bureau of Land Management
New Mexico State Office
301 Dinosaur Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87508
All comments will be considered in the final rule, which is expected to be completed later this year. For further information, please contact Tony Herrell, Deputy State Director, Mineral Resources; telephone 505-954-2222; address 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508; e-mail: therrell@blm.gov.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Not Listed as Endangered Species
June 13, 2012 by
Landmark Conservation Agreements Keep Dunes Sagebrush Lizard off the Endangered Species List in NM, TX
Date: June 13, 2012
Contact: Kate Kelly, (DOI) 202-208-6416
Tom Buckley, (FWS) 505-248-6455
WASHINGTON – As a result of unprecedented commitments to voluntary conservation agreements now in place in New Mexico and Texas that provide for the long-term conservation of the dunes sagebrush lizard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the species does not need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act.
“This is a great example of how states and landowners can take early, landscape-level action to protect wildlife habitat before a species is listed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “The voluntary conservation efforts of Texas and New Mexico, oil and gas operators, private landowners and other stakeholders show that we don’t have to choose between energy development and the protection of our land and wildlife – we can do both.”
State-led voluntary conservation efforts to protect existing shinnery oak dune habitat and greatly reduce the impact of oil and gas development across the species’ range now cover over 650,000 acres in New Mexico and Texas, totaling 88 percent of the lizard’s habitat. These measures also minimize the anticipated impacts of other threats, such as off-road vehicle traffic, wind and solar development, and increased predation caused by development.
“The states of New Mexico and Texas have worked tirelessly with the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and scores of landowners and operators in the Permian Basin to conserve and protect habitat that supports the dunes sagebrush lizard and many other species,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “These ongoing efforts will play a key role in ensuring the future of the lizard, while allowing responsible oil and gas development to continue.”
The Endangered Species Act requires that listing decisions be based solely on the best available science. A species is listed as endangered when it is threatened with extinction through all or a significant portion of its range.
Since the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the rule to list the dunes sagebrush lizard in December, 2010, the Service has received and reviewed a wide range of scientific information. New information provided by the BLM and Texas A&M University has enabled the Service to refine mapping of suitable and occupied shinnery oak dune habitat in New Mexico and Texas and identified more known occupied sites for the lizard, especially in Texas.
After a careful analysis of the scientific data and the protections provided by the voluntary conservation efforts, Service biologists determined the lizard is no longer in danger of extinction, nor likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
The Service will closely monitor the conservation measures to ensure they are being implemented and effectively address identified threats. The Service can reevaluate whether the dunes sagebrush lizard requires Endangered Species Act protection.
For more information on the conservation agreements in New Mexico and Texas, please visit here.
For more information on the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard and the withdrawal of the proposed rule, please visit here.
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ExxonMobil and GE Join University Initiative to Help Bring Latest Natural Gas Best Practices to Shale Development
April 4, 2012 by
March 08, 2012 11:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time
- Colorado School of Mines, Penn State University and The University of Texas at Austin Create New Training Programs for the Rapidly Growing Natural Gas Development Sector
- GE and ExxonMobil Each to Contribute $1 Million to the New Education Initiative
- Academic Institutions to Develop Programs to Provide Regulators and Policymakers Access to the Latest Shale Resource Technology and Best Practices
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Colorado School of Mines, Penn State University and the University of Texas at Austin today announced a new training initiative to support the rapidly growing shale natural gas and oil development sector. The training programs created under the initiative will be led by the faculty at each academic institution and are designed to ensure that regulators and policymakers have access to the latest technology and operational expertise to assist in their important oversight of shale development.
ExxonMobil and GE (NYSE: GE), two of America’s leading energy corporations, today announced they would each contribute $1 million to this new educational initiative.
“Regulators have said that the need for increased training is one of their highest priorities due to the rapid expansion of shale resource development and the equally active evolution of technologies and best practices in the field,” said Gary Pope, director of The Center for Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (CPGE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
To meet this demand, CPGE, which provides engineering leadership and technology innovation related to energy and the environment with special emphasis on the production of hydrocarbons from both conventional and unconventional sources, added an Education, Training and Outreach Program, directed by Dr. Hilary Clement Olson.
“This funding provides us with the resources to broaden our partnerships and our scope to create a new training program for regulators in the oil and gas industry that is collaborative and interdisciplinary,” said Olson.
Thomas Murphy, co-director of the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, said, “The Shale Gas Regulators Training program affords the university a unique opportunity to further develop shale gas best management practices and to offer new regulators the chance to learn the latest science-based concepts related to geology, petroleum technology and environmental quality. Penn State looks forward to providing development training that will help ensure a strong, yet consistent, regulator process across the Appalachian Basin.”
Colorado School of Mines President M.W. Scoggins said, “Colorado School of Mines’ focused mission to educate the next generation of engineers and applied scientists fosters a natural partnership in this consortium. Our specialized curriculum and research program centered on responsible resource development is helping to enhance global understanding of our most pressing earth, energy and environmental challenges.”
Added Colorado School of Mines’ Dr. Azra N. Tutuncu, who is director of the school’s Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Institute (UNGI) and Harry D. Campbell Chair in Petroleum Engineering, “The Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Institute at Colorado School of Mines provides training for developing unconventional resources in an environmentally sound, safe and economically viable manner—the oil and gas industry as well as state and federal regulators and policymakers benefit from this expertise.”
The series of courses, which will primarily focus on the development of shale resources, will cover:
Petroleum geology, both conventional and nonconventional;
Petroleum technology, including principles of drilling operations and well design, as well as facility design and operation;
Environmental management technologies and practices, including water treatment and management, waste treatment and management, air emission control technologies, spill prevention and planning and response; and
Federal and state oil and gas regulatory requirements, including permitting and reporting, plus compliance assessment.
GE and ExxonMobil believe that natural gas plays a critical role in America’s energy future. When used for power generation, natural gas emits up to 60 percent less CO2 than coal. The integration of two proven technologies—horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing—has opened up more than 100 years supply of natural gas for U.S. homes and business, creating an unprecedented pathway to enhanced energy security for the country. Natural gas also enables more renewable energy to join the power grid as next generation gas turbines help ensure grid stability by quickly ramping up and down to generate electricity when wind or solar power is intermittent.
“America’s shale energy resources are creating jobs and economic growth in regions across the country, and Americans rightly want to know that these resources are being produced safely and responsibly,” ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson said. “ExxonMobil is pleased to provide the resources to assist the schools in equipping regulators with the latest technical and operational knowledge being applied in this growing sector.”
GE CEO Jeff Immelt said, “Natural gas is dramatically changing the way we power America, and GE is committed to its responsible development. We believe advanced technology, an expert workforce and smart regulation are the keys to America leading the world in shale gas development. As a technology leader in the energy sector, GE recognizes the importance of minimizing a site’s environmental footprint while simultaneously increasing operational efficiency.”
GE and ExxonMobil note that while hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling and other technologies used to produce shale resources are not new, they are being used today on a larger scale than ever before. Therefore, it is critical that regulators and policymakers have access to a sound scientific understanding of shale energy development and are fully aware of the technologies required to produce these resources safely and efficiently, while protecting the environment. That is why the two companies have offered their support for the professional development programs developed by these universities.
GE produces nearly 40 technologies for the shale resource sector in areas such as mobile and fixed water filtration, flare gas capture and reuse, cleaner on-site power generation and demand-side solutions that create liquefied natural gas or compressed natural gas for applications such as in truck fleets.
ExxonMobil is the world’s largest non-government owned energy company and applies advanced technology to the development and production of oil, natural gas and petrochemicals. The company is the largest natural gas producer in the United States, with a significant position in the production of shale resources in Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma and North Dakota.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com.
GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.
Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and natural gas company, is committed to producing the energy needed for economic progress in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner.
The company uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs, investing approximately $1 billion annually on research and technology development. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world.
For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com and follow ExxonMobil on Twitter @exxonmobil.
About Penn State
The Pennsylvania State University is a state-related, land-grant university located in University Park, Pa. Penn State has 24 campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including undergraduate locations as well as special-mission campuses such as the Penn College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. The University awards more associate, bachelor’s and graduate degrees than any other institution in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research and service. Penn State has significant expertise in shale gas geology, reservoir engineering, and related sciences, including water resource management, and is a leader in advancing the understanding of the environmental, economic and social issues related to Marcellus and other shale gas development.
About Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a uniquely focused public research university dedicated to preparing exceptional students to solve today’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges. Mines has an international reputation for excellence in engineering education and the applied sciences with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the earth’s resources. The Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Institute (UNGI) at Mines nurtures multidisciplinary research opportunities in the worldwide development of unconventional resources. For more information, visit http://mines.edu and http://ungi.mines.edu.
About UT-Austin
The Center for Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (CPGE) at The University of Texas at Austin is an interdisciplinary research organization that is home to world-renowned academic researchers. The organization provides engineering leadership and technology innovation related to energy and the environment with special emphasis on the production of hydrocarbons from both conventional and unconventional sources. CPGE’s new Education, Training and Outreach Program, hosted at UT Austin, is involved with workforce training and capacity building in the area of carbon storage. In addition, it leads professional development programs related to energy, climate and water for teachers from Texas.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50197593&lang=en
Contacts
GE Energy
Sean Gannon, 212-587-5059
sean.gannon@ge.com
or
ExxonMobil
Alan Jeffers, 972-444-1107
alan.t.jeffers@exxonmobil.com
or
Edelman
Rob Discher, 512-634-3654
robert.discher@edelman.com
or
The University of Texas at Austin
Melissa Mixon, 512-471-2129
Public Affairs Representative, Cockrell School of Engineering Communications Team
melissa.mixon@austin.utexas.edu
or
Colorado School of Mines Public Relations
Karen Gilbert, 303-273-3541
kgilbert@mines.edu
or
Penn State
Lisa Powers, 814-865-7517
Director, Department of Public Information
lmpowers@psu.edu
Balancing Economic Development and Conservation
December 19, 2011 by
By U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce
Dec 9, 2011 Issues: Economy and Jobs, Energy
Like all Americans, I want to protect wildlife in both good and bad times. Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service once said, “Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good of men.” I concur wholeheartedly. Mr. Pinchot was one of the most publicly known conservationists of the 20th century, and recognized that to have healthy forests controlled thinning operations must take place. He believed as I do that conservation should never mean tying our hands to economic development or good stewardship of our lands, but instead should be about finding a balance between jobs and resource protection.
I have always advocated balance, which is why I support the cooperative efforts between private stakeholders, federal officials and local governments through the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA), which allows private landholders to enroll their land and money in a program designed to protect the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard without listing it. This is a reasonable approach that will serve New Mexico well by protecting our environment and our economy simultaneously. Of course, common sense is usually in short order when it comes to DC lawyers and lobbyists with their hands on taxpayer dollars.
Texas Tech scientists discuss their lizard science
December 15, 2011 by
Scientists at Texas Tech analyze possible impacts that oil and gas activities may have on dunes sagebrush lizard and their initial findings look favorable for the idea that the lizard and industry can peacefully co-exist.
Williams wins exemption from wildlife closure
December 7, 2011 by
By Chuck Slothower cslothower@daily-times.com
Posted: 12/06/2011
FARMINGTON — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has granted an exception to a seasonal wildlife closure for Williams Exploration and Production’s proposed drilling project on Middle Mesa. The exemption, approved Thursday, removes a hurdle to Williams’ ambitious plans to extract natural gas from the Mancos Shale using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques. The agency’s decision allows Williams to drill during winter. It does not approve drilling permits for the project, a step to come later. Williams proposes to drill 53 horizontal wells from eight well pads. The project also would require two ponds for fracturing fluids. Williams plans to begin drilling in fall 2012. The company drilled test wells in 2009 and ’10. BLM officials forecast the project will produce 275 billion cubic feet of natural gas during the next 25 to 30 years. “We’re obviously pleased with the outcome of the review process, considering the amount of planning we put into the project,” Williams spokesman Kelly Swan said in an email message Monday. “This should ultimately create benefits in the area both economically and environmentally. And for us as a company, it allows us to show that we bring tremendous care to drilling and development.” Read Full Story ->
Decision on whether to classify dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species delayed
December 1, 2011 by
by Milan Simonich The Daily Times 12/01/2011 10:15:53 AM MST
SANTA FE — The director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying for six months a decision on whether to classify the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species.
The director, Daniel Ashe, was to rule by Dec. 14. Tom Buckley, a spokesman for the service, said today that Ashe would use the extension to evaluate recent information questioning the scientific evidence about the reptile’s population and loss of habitat. Continue Reading ->