Chesapeake, under pressure from big shareholders to cut costs due to its heavy spending, depressed gas prices and a big debt load, has already laid off 8 percent of its workforce in the Barnett Shale. The company also previously said it would entertain offers for its Fort Worth office tower.

The company's real estate arm, Chesapeake Land Development, aims to raise nearly $100 million from the sales of its Barnett Shale land parcels, according to the unit's website.

A spokeswoman for the company declined to comment. Read more »

Oil prices hit two-month highs this week, driven by Federal Reserve stimulus hopes and Middle East unrest.

Other commodities enjoyed mixed fortunes as traders tracked the latest twists and turns in the eurozone debt crisis.

Markets were rattled on Friday July 20, 2012 by growing jitters over Spain, whose 10-year government bond yields hit danger levels above 7.0 percent.
 
World oil prices soared to their highest levels since May, before running into profit-taking. Read more »

Much has been reported in the news lately about companies seeking to purchase minerals from residents, whether or not those minerals have been leased. While a company may offer an attractive up-front, one-time payment to buy minerals, mineral owners should take the time to carefully review all the long-term consequences of such a sale. Here are a few things to consider when faced with this offer:

What is the difference between leasing and selling my mineral rights? Read more »

Western diplomats can hardly believe their luck. Sanctions against Iran's oil exports are proving more effective than hoped yet the impact on the price of crude has so far been minimal.

It was not supposed to be this way. A decade of Iranian intransigence over its disputed nuclear program had finally eroded Western patience. Sanctions were supposed to be a painful, but necessary step. Read more »