The U.S. shale oil revolution can't be stopped, but it could be delayed by a potential shortfall of 10-ton valves and giant pipeline pumps essential for rebalancing markets upended by the surge in production.

Amid an unanticipated boom in inland oil output that turned the domestic market upside down last year, firms from Enterprise Products Partners to Shell Pipeline and Plains All American have launched a $20 billion bonanza to build, expand or reverse two dozen pipelines in the past year. Read more »

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 »