How long will the new natural gas shale plays be producing gas? 20 years? 40? More? This topic was discussed at IHS CERA conference last week in Houston. Some believe that they will be producing gas for a long time.

A study of seismic activity near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by researchers from SMU and UT-Austin reveals that the operation of a saltwater injection disposal well in the area was a “plausible cause” for the series of small earthquakes that occurred in the area between October 30, 2008, and May 16, 2009.

Calvin Tillman, the Mayor of Dish, Texas gave a two hour presentation on how to prevent the harmful effects of natural gas drilling at the Elmira Heights Theater in Elmira Heights, New York. He encouraged local officials to “take control” of what happens in their jurisdiction. More at The Online Leader.

An article on the Oil and Gas Journal website reports that the Sumitomo Corporation of Japan is considering a stake in the Marcellus Shale gas play. Last year they invested in Barnett Shale acreage.

The Shale Gas Drilling & Completions 2010 conference will be held in Houston, Texas on May 26 through May 28, 2010. The conference will deliver “key insight into applying cutting-edge drilling and completions techniques used throughout diverse shale projects in the US & Canada. Leading shale producers will share real life examples of their drilling and completions success and challenges – including experience from the Barnett, Haynesville, Horn River, Marcellus, Woodford and Fayetteville shale plays.” Quoted from the conference website.

An article in the New York Times reports that members of the House Energy and Commerce panel will examine Exxon Mobil’s plans to acquire significant acreage in the Marcellus, Haynesville and Barnett gas shale plays as part of a deal with XTO Energy. Exxon is concerned about future regulations that will limit the use of hydraulic fracturing to develop these assets.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality conduced toxic vapor tests to detect hazardous emissions from natural gas drilling sites in the Fort Worth area. None of the 126 sites tested had contaminant levels that exceeded regulatory standards.  More in a Star-Telegram article.

An article in the Star-Telegram explains how technology that was initially used to produce natural gas from the Barnett Shale of Texas is being used as a worldwide model for gas shale development.

An article at Bnet.com reports that Chesapeake Energy has an aggressive budget for 2009/2010 for exploration and production.

In a news release, Chesapeake Energy reports that they are the second largest producer in the Barnett Shale gas play. They expect to increase their Barnett Shale production from 655 mmcfe net per day to 725 mmcfe net per day by the end of 2009. They are operating with 18 rigs.

A few small earthquakes beneath a Barnett Shale natural gas field in Texas has many people talking that the quakes might be related to the withdraw of gas. More in the Star-Telegram.

“The U.S. Department of Energy announces the release of Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer. The Primer provides regulators, policy makers, and the public with an objective source of information on the technology advances and challenges that accompany deep shale gas development.” Quoted from fossil.energy.gov. Download the .pdf

Ziff Energy Group has a press release on their website predicting that unconventional gas plays now active across North America will account for 53% of the continent’s gas production by 2020.

An article in the Star Telegram reports that Chesapeake Energy posted a loss of $866 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 and that they might be looking for a large company to partner with them in the Barnett Shale gas play.

The Environmental Defense Fund has awarded a contract to Al Armendariz, an engineering professor at  Southern Methodist University to study the impact of natural gas exploration on local air quality.  More at the Fort Worth Business Press.