Gas news at a glance

EXXON FINED $600K FOR GAS WELL PIT BIRD DEATHS

The largest U.S. oil company pleaded guilty to violating a law protecting migratory birds and agreed to pay $600,000 in fines related to the deaths of approximately 85 birds, including hawks and owls, that were exposed to hydrocarbons in uncovered pits used in natural gas extraction and wastewater facilities, according to the Justice Department. The poisonings occurred between 2004 and 2009 at production facilities in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. The company has also agreed to make changes to prevent such bird deaths in the future.

HESS SCHEDULES EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Hess Corporation, which has leased more than 62,000 acres in Wayne County, PA for natural gas exploration, will hold a conference call on October 28, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss its third-quarter 2009 earnings release.

To phone into the conference call, parties in the United States should dial 866/318-8612 and enter the pass code 97634796 after 9:45 a.m. This conference call will also be accessible by webcast at www.hess.com (audio only). A replay of the conference call will be available from October 28 through November 11 by dialing 888/286-8010 and entering the pass code 94880863.

FIRM LAUNCHES ‘MARCELLUS MINUTES’

A subscription-based weekly newsletter is being promoted by a government affairs firm based in Harrisburg, PA. Written by Bigley and Blikle, LLC, “Marcellus Minutes” ( www.marcellusminutes.com ) is sent to all members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, key staff, and members of the administration and agencies. The newsletter contains information on bills, hearings and industry news related to natural gas development across Pennsylvania. An annual fee of $375 is being charged.