Australian shale explorers may be a decade away from producing oil and gas on a large scale because of obstacles ranging from a lack of drilling equipment to higher labor and infrastructure costs, Wood Mackenzie Ltd. said.  More »

A survey of energy executives by audit and advisory firm KPMG found most respondents see the U.S. reaching energy independence by 2050.  More »

ConocoPhillips (COP), the third-largest U.S. oil company, said it’s interested in further shale investments in Australia following a partnership last year with Perth-based New Standard Energy Ltd.  More »

Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s shares fell almost 14 percent Friday afternoon as the embattled natural gas producer said it may have to delay some asset sales as it fights to raise cash amid weak natural gas prices.  More »

In the first shareholders meeting since ConocoPhillips split from its refineries, CEO Ryan Lance said the company will expand in Texas regions with a high content of natural gas liquids.  More »

Marcellus shale gas wells in Pennsylvania generated about $3.5 billion in gross revenues for drillers in 2011, along with about $1.2 billion in West Virginia, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.  More »

Record low natural gas prices and the warmest winter in the last 100 years translated into lower quarterly profits for Spectra Energy.  More »

Shale production has put energy independence a step closer for North America and revolutionized the continent’s global position in fossil-fuel production, ConocoPhillips CEO James Mulva said Thursday in his final public speech as head of the corporation.  More »

For months, the Obama administration has been preparing to unveil new regulations governing hydraulic fracturing on federal lands, but Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the mandates are still being refined. American Indian tribes also complain they weren’t adequately consulted over the planned rule.  More »

Drilling in the Eagle Ford shale has dramatically increased in 2012, as producers have frantically turned away from cheap natural gas to production from regions that yield higher priced oils and other liquids.  More »

The Obama administration on Friday established a working group to coordinate federal regulation of natural gas production, amid industry complaints that an increasing number of government agencies are overseeing the activity.  More »

The Texas Tribune will hold an energy symposium at the University of Houston on Friday, featuring speakers and panels on the Eagle Ford shale and on energy policy.  More »