EV Energy Partners, L.P announced today Friday December 23, 2011 it, along with certain institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest, Ltd., has closed both previously announced Barnett Shale acquisitions from two unrelated companies. Read more »

Oil prices rose for the fourth day in a row Thursday December 22, 2011 amid signs of an improving U.S. economy and concerns about global supplies.

The price of benchmark crude rose 86 cents to finish at $99.53 per barrel in New York. At one point in the session it hit $100.05. Brent crude, which is used to price crude produced in many foreign countries and is important for U.S. gasoline producers, rose 18 cents to end at $107.89 per barrel in London. Read more »

Southwestern Energy Co. of Houston said Monday December 19,2011 that it will slightly lower its 2012 investment in the Fayetteville Shale.

In a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Southwestern estimated it will have invested $1.3 billion in the shale in 2011, and will invest $1.2 billion in 2012.

The investment is still the largest by the company than in any other play. Its next greatest expenditure comes in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, where Southwestern will increase expenditures from $290 million in 2011 to $530 million in 2012. Read more »

Marcellus Shale natural gas production is expected to keep rising in 2012, yet landowners may find that signing lease deals isn’t as easy as in years past.

Though still in its early stages, industry experts say that the business of Marcellus Shale gas drilling is starting to change, as new forces emerge. Read more »