Gas news at a glance

• THIRD DIESEL SPILL IN SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY: A third diesel spill within a year occurred February 20 in an accident related to gas extraction operations by Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation in Susquehanna County. Approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a yard when the fuel tank of a truck contracted by Cabot slid on ice and crashed. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reports that no waterways were contaminated and required the contractor, BJ Services, to clean up the spill. Two earlier spills dumped 800 and 100 gallons of diesel fuel in Springville Township and Dimock earlier this year.

• CABOT PREDICTS 60 WELLS IN 2009: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation reports it will drill 60 wells into the Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania by the end of 2009. Cabot is currently producing from 15 wells. Dan O. Dinges, chairman, president and chief executive officer said the wells will provide the next step in Cabot’s production increase in Pennsylvania.

• COLLEGE TAPS NATURAL GAS RUSH: Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA is developing a new oil and gas technology program to be launched this fall. Companies that have begun harvesting gas from the Marcellus Shale are advising the college on what types of training will be needed. The two-year program may also be offered at satellite campuses in Towanda and Milford.

• PENN STATE OFFERS GAS ‘WEBINARS’: Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Cooperative Extension are offering a series of online seminars about natural gas exploration in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus shale. The “webinars,” run through May, and cover topics ranging from local government’s role in gas exploration to the effects of deep-well drilling methods on water supplies. Sessions are March 18, April 16 and May 21. To register, visit naturalgas.extension.psu.edu/WebinarRegistration.htm.