World oil prices dropped on Monday March 12, 2012 as investors fretted over the strength of worldwide energy demand following weak Chinese economic data.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in April, shed $1.06 to $106.34 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for April was down 65 cents at $125.33 in late afternoon deals.

"Crude oil fell sharply... Traders were reacting to news over the weekend that China had recorded its largest trade deficit in more than ten years," said GFT analyst David Morrison. Read more »

Natural-gas development appears to be associated with falling dairy production in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale region, but the exact reasons for the decline are unclear, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

In recent years, anecdotal evidence has suggested that natural-gas development is benefitting many Pennsylvania farmers, with money from gas leases and royalties allowing producers to pay off debt, invest in new equipment and remain active in a business often characterized by razor-thin profit margins. Read more »

World oil prices rose in volatile trading on Monday March 5, 2012, as worries over Iranian supplies helped to offset a cut to China's growth outlook and weak eurozone data, traders said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, rose 16 cents to $106.86 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for April climbed 59 cents to $124.24 in late London deals.

"While slower economic growth in China and across Europe lowers demand expectations, there are still concerns over supply," said Fawad Razaqzada, an analyst for traders GFT Markets. Read more »

Fayetteville Shale in the US, 2011: Gas Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020 is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist, which provides insight into the shale gas exploration and development activities in the Fayetteville shale. The report highlights the gas production from various counties in Arkansas, providing details of the major companies exploring the Fayetteville shale and the drivers and challenges to shale gas exploration in the US.

The Fayetteville Shale is Expected to be Natural Gas Producing Hub in the Future Read more »