2011 U.S. Oil & Gas Deals Highlighted By Shale Plays, Foreign Investment, and Robust Private Equity Interest as Total Deal Value Increases 35%, According to PwC US.

BP's new report states that the Marcellus shale could shift the entire natural gas market.

WPX Energy is forecasting up to $1.2 billion in capital spending for 2012 and full-year EBITDAX of approximately $1.2 billion. A definition of EBITDAX is included at the end of this news release.

WPX Energy announced that its total proved reserves as of Dec. 31, 2011, increased to a company high of nearly 5.3 trillion cubic feet equivalent – up approximately 9 percent vs. 2010.

The following is a statement from Paul M. King, president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council:

Williams Partners L.P. is seeking binding commitments for the remain TGS has commenced acquisition of the Bucklin multi-client 3D onshore survey in the United States.

National Fuel Gas Company announced consolidated earnings for the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year (the quarter ended December 31, 2011).

Dawson Geophysical Company reported revenues of $92,382,000 for the quarter-ended December 31, 2011, the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $72,653,000 for the same quarter in fiscal 2011, an increase of 27 percent.

MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. announced expansion plans for the Marcellus and Utica shales that include more than 600 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of additional processing capacity and 140,000 barrels per day (Bbl/d) of incremental fractionation capacity.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation  announced an operational update on each of the Company's three upstream unconventional resource plays for the fourth quarter of 2011 which include the Eagle Ford Shale, the Williston Basin, and  the Appalachia/Marcellus/Utica Shale.

Chevron Corporation reported earnings of $5.1 billion ($2.58 per share – diluted) for the fourth quarter 2011, compared with $5.3 billion ($2.64 per share – diluted) in the 2010 fourth quarter.

Dominion announced unaudited reported earnings determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2011, of $1.41 billion ($2.45 per share), compared with reported earnings of $2.81 billion ($4.76 per share) for the same period in 2010.

The Marcellus and Utica shales have had strong impacts on natural gas processing in the state of Pennsylvania.

Petroleum Development Corporation reported 2011 key operating results including production and year-end reserves, and provided 2012 capital budget details and production estimates.

EQT Corporation announced 2011 earnings of $479.8 million, 111% higher than the $227.7 million earned in 2010.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation announced that its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dan O. Dinges, sent a letter to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the decision of the Agency to initiate a water sampling program in Dimock Township, Pennsylvania.

CONSOL Energy Inc., the leading diversified fuel producer in the Eastern United States, reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 of $196 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, compared to $104 million, or $0.46 per diluted share from the year-earlier quarter.

Stone Energy Corporation announced 2011 year-end estimated reserves, 2012 capital expenditure budget, and 2012 guidance ranges. Stone also provided an operational update.

Epsilon Energy Ltd. announced that net production from the JV with Chesapeake Energy Corporation ("Chesapeake") in Susquehanna County, PA, has reached 28 MMCF/D.

Chesapeake is joining the small--but growing--list of operators who plan to curtail drilling in dry gas basins.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation provided an update on additional steps it is taking to continue creating shareholder value in response to the lowest natural gas prices in the past 10 years.

ONEOK Partners, L.P. announced that its 2011 net income and distributable cash flow (DCF) are expected to be higher than the ranges provided on Nov. 1, 2011.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it plans to perform water sampling at approximately 60 homes in the Carter Road/Meshoppen Creek Road area of Dimock, Pa. to further assess whether any residents are being exposed to hazardous substances that cause health concerns.

Williams Partners L.P. announced another significant milestone in building large-scale infrastructure in the Marcellus Shale with the start up of its Springville natural gas gathering pipeline.