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frackingThe techniques of directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas have been around for generations.  Over the past ten years, however, the techniques have been combined for use in hard (“tight”) rock formations that contain significant amounts of hydrocarbons.  The combination of these techniques in tight shale formations has unleashed a flood of natural gas and oil, changing America’s, and the world’s, energy landscape.  Traditionally, most regulation of oil and gas drilling has been done at the state level.  Increasingly, however, the Federal government has become involved in this regulation and there have been calls for additional Federal regulatory involvement.  State governmental agencies generally believe they are fully capable of regulating oil and gas drilling and have superior expertise to that of the Federal government.  Supporters of Federal governmental involvement believe, however, that uniform drilling, fracing, air aggregation and other regulatory provisions are more protective of the environmental and are preferable to a plethora of state laws.  Our speakers discuss these and other issues on this previously recorded conference call.

Featuring:

  • Mr. Jason Hutt, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
  • Mr. Scott Perry, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Mr. Craig Segall, Associate Attorney, Sierra Club Environmental Law Program
  • Moderator: Mr. Joel Burcat, Partner, Saul Ewing LLP

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