Here’s this week’s top shale gas stories:

( 1 ) Utica Shale is a Let-down for Oil Barons

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that many drillers in Ohio’s Utica were selling-off acerage and withdrawing from the shale play, due to less-than-stellar oil production.

According to a report by the Scottish energy firm, Wood Mackenzie, the Utica is estimated to produce roughly 200,000 barrels of oil a day by 2017. By comparison, the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas is expected to produce 1.15 million barrels of oil.

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Enervest Ltd. and Devon Energy Corp. have land up for sale.

Though the Utica may not be producing high amounts of valuable oil, it is producing natural gas liquids and natural gas.

» Via: Bloomberg › Ohio’s $500 Billion Oil Dream Fades as Utica Turns Gassy

( 2 ) Lawmaker to Propose Bill to Ban Marcellus Shale Wastewater Impoundments

Pennsylvania State Representative Jesse White is seeking support for a bill he plans to introduce that will ban fracking waste-water impoundments or ‘frac ponds,’ according to Patch.com.

The Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD), an independent organization whose members include oil and gas industry big-players, lawmakers and environmental counsel members, identified eliminating waste-water impoundments.

» Via: Patch.com › Local State Representative to Introduce Bill Banning Marcellus Shale Wastewater Impoundments

( 3 ) 120-Mile Pipeline Plans Suspended

Construction of the 120-mile natural gas pipeline in Eastern Pennsylvania, known as the Commonwealth Pipeline, has been cancelled indefinitely according to NBC 10 Philadelphia.

The proposed pipeline was to travel from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania to Berks County, Pennsylvania.

The developers in charge of completing the project have given no reason as to its cancellation.

» Via: NBC 10 Philadelphia› Plans for 120-Mile Natural Gas Pipeline Suspended