An article in the Vancouver Sun reports that most major oil companies have a strong interest in European shale gas plays. They are getting a slow start because there are currently very few rigs in Europe.

Range Resources has their 2009 production, reserves and drilling activity posted on the web. Their production increased 13% and their proved reserves were up by 18% with a leasehold position of 2.5 million net acres.

An article on The Vancouver Sun website explains how most of the major oil companies are looking for shale gas in Europe. A big problem is that there are currently very few rigs there.

An article on TheGlobeAndMail website reports on early results in the Utica Shale Gas Play in Quebec, Canada which could contain 20 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

In addition to the large amount of natural gas being produced from shale several huge LNG projects expected to ship their first gas in 2014 and 2016. More in an article on the Gerson Lehrman Group website.

An article on the MSNBC.com website reviews some of the investments that Asian countries are making in natural gas shales – both in the United States and in Asia.

An article in the Houston Chronicle explores why major oil companies have taken an interest in natural gas shales. Part of the reason is that the resource has a long lifetime.

The demand for coal could suffer significantly as climate change efforts look for cleaner energy production. Now some coal companies with significant mineral rights holdings are starting to consider going into the natural gas business. More in a Washington Post article.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is looking to the Marcellus Shale for revenues and lawmakers are considering a severance tax on natural gas. The gas companies say that a tax would slow development of the resource. More in an article on the Reuters website.

The Houston Chronicle website reports on comments made by oil and gas company leaders at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. The comments were consistent… Natural gas can be produced in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

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.

Exxon Mobil has made some major recent investments in onshore natural gas that have some people asking if the company is changing directions. An article on the Houston Chronicle website reports on comments by David Rosenthal, Exxon Mobil’s VP of Investor Relations that address these questions.

Pioneer Natural Resources reports that one of their wells in the Eagle Ford shale of Texas had an initial production rate of 17 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. A fantastic yield for a shale well.   More in a Reuters article.

An article at MarketWatch reports that BP is in talks with Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) with the hope of reaching an agreement for cooperative ventures in developing extensive natural gas shales in China.

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.