The Marcellus Shale is about to become the most productive natural gas field in the United States, according to new data from energy industry analysts and the federal government.

Though serious drilling only began five years ago, the sheer volume of Marcellus production suggests that in some ways there's no going back, even as New York debates whether to allow drilling in its portion of the shale, which also lies under large parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Read more »

Oil prices rose Monday August 5, 2012 amid rumors of an attack on Syria's embattled leader and as Tropical Storm Ernesto appeared likely to grow into a hurricane that could disrupt Gulf of Mexico oil operations.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude for September, finished trade at $92.20 a barrel, up 80 cents from Friday's closing price.

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in September added 61 cents to settle at $109.55 a barrel in London trade. Read more »

Southwestern Energy Co. of Houston on Thursday August 2, 2012 announced its second quarter 2012 financial results, and reported a spike in profits from its Fayetteville Shale activities.

Southwestern's midstream services, which include natural gas gathering and marketing, made $71.8 million for its second quarter, up 20 percent from $59.6 million in 2011.

"The increase in operating income was primarily due to increase gathering revenues related to the company's Fayetteville and Marcellus Shale properties," the release noted. Read more »

Oil prices fell Tuesday July 31, 2012 as hopes faded for a new round of government stimulus in the U.S.

Benchmark U.S. crude lost $1.93, or 2.2 percent, to $87.85 per barrel in New York, while Brent crude lost $1.58 to $104.62 per barrel in London.

Traders have been guessing for months about when and whether the Federal Reserve would try to spark the economy. Hopes rose last week, then faded Tuesday, following reports of strengthening consumer confidence and home values. Read more »