Understanding the Basics of Appalachian Geology

The following is an excerpt from my copyrighted book entitled “The Utica/Pt. Pleasant Play in Ohio”. Although it is primarily focused on Ohio, it is germane to most of Appalachia, including Central and West-Central PA, and much of the Northern half and the…

Continue

Will the Chevron Decision Reshape the Oil Industry?

Just two weeks ago the US Supreme Court overruled over 18,000 judicial opinions, some as many as 40 years old. This landmark decision was rendered on June 28 in Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Raimodo. Later, on July 1, they held that the statute of limitations to challenge the actions of federal agencies under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) does not begin until a plaintiff actually suffers injury by means of final agency…

Continue

                                                          FTC Alleges Collusion Between US Oil Executive and OPEC

Scott Sheffield, former CEO of Pioneer Petroleum, has had a long and distinguished career. The AIME described him as “displaying concern for his employees, the community and the environment, while encouraging innovation and making a positive impact on the company and the oil and gas business”. He was CEO for over 31 years, leading a corporation that was consistently ranked…

Continue

                                                           Alternate Wastewater Treatment Methods

In researching this subject, I discovered an article featured in OilOnLine which provides an interesting twist on conventional fracking techniques. Virginia based PDN Mountaineer, LLC announced that they have partnered with Utah based Purestream Technology to incorporate their Trilogy system to treat and purify wastewater from their Marcellus operations. Purestream claims to be…

Continue

                                                                       Can Pennsylvania Save the EV Industry?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Fossil fuel-based industries and the products they are used to create are not going away in our lifetimes. Not in our children’s lifetimes. Likely not ever. That is not to say, however, that their use cannot be curtailed. Environmentalists are working 24/7/365 to achieve this and, to a certain degree, are succeeding. This…

Continue

                                                                   The Eroding Rights of Land Professionals

I am trying to get used to using the phrase “land professional” In lieu of landman since ladies are now an intricate part of the profession. There’s something about the phrase landladies or landwomen that just doesn’t sound quite right. And, although we are governed by the American Association of Petroleum Landmen (AAPL), the moniker just doesn’t seem to give the female…

Continue

                Can Pennsylvania Save the EV Industry?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Fossil fuel-based industries and the products they are used to create are not going away in our lifetimes. Not in our children’s lifetimes. Likely not ever. That is not to say, however, that their use cannot be curtailed. Environmentalists are working 24/7/365 to achieve this and, to a certain degree, are succeeding. This is a good thing, assuming it is being achieved for…

Continue

                                                                Can Pennsylvania Save the EV Industry?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Fossil fuel-based industries and the products they are used to create are not going away in our lifetimes. Not in our children’s lifetimes. Likely not ever. That is not to say, however, that their use cannot be curtailed. Environmentalists are working 24/7/365 to achieve this and, to a certain degree, are succeeding. This is a good…

Continue

Despite Biden, E&P Companies Are Showing Record Profits



On September 9, 2019, then candidate Joe Biden made a clear and unequivocal promise. “I guarantee you, I guarantee you (twice for emphasis I suppose), we’re going to end fossil fuel, and I am not going to cooperate with them.” Those who laughed this off as just another of many crazy campaign promises were dead wrong. Upon being inaugurated, many folks remember one of his first attacks on the industry – the revocation of the… Continue

The Pt. Pleasant – EQT’s Fickle Mistress in Ohio

Most everybody knows EQT bought out Rice Energy in 2017 in a 6.7B deal. In doing so, EQT acquired some of the best drilling opportunities in the state, assuming one is exploring the Utica Shale. They have some very inviable positions, particularly in Belmont County, where they have drilled some pretty prolific wells. It seems some of the best rock in the whole play is…

Continue

                                    Recycled Nuclear Fuel? Another Innovative Source for America’s Energy Future

Overseas, the recycling of nuclear fuel has been happening for years. France is just one of the recognizable names involved in the process. However, the recycling of nuclear fuel has not been prevalent, or even tried in America. That is until recently. New is that Curio, a small start-up company in DC has been refining its efforts for almost two years now. Their product is…

Continue

Almost without exception, today’s shale wells are stimulated using water-based fracturing fluids (slickwater). This technique is popular due to its ability to transport proppant effectively at a relatively inexpensive cost. However, it is a magnet for criticism from environmentalists, who are concerned about the incredible volume of water needed as well as the resulting contaminated wastewater which must be treated and disposed of properly. Water use is often cited as one of the…

Continue