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

( 1 ) Shale Gas Permit List Update for May

May was another busy month in shale gas development in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Sixteen new drilling permits were issued in Harrison County, Ohio, more than any other Ohio county.

Pennsylvania issued 171 permits in May. In addition to the permits, 131 wells were drilled. Greene County received 33 permits during the month.

Read the entire story for the complete wrap of shale gas permits.

» Via: The Shale Gas Reporter › Shale Gas Permit Update: May

( 2 ) GE Investing in Fracking Tech

General Electric Co. (GE) is investing billions of dollars in the shale gas and oil drilling boom, according to CBS News.

GE is reportedly opening a new laboratory in Oklahoma, known as the Global Research Center. The facility is a $110 million by the company. According to a press release, the facility will employ 125 high-tech engineering jobs initially.

CBS also notes that GE is buying up fracking-related companies, a move that solidifies GE’s interest in the oil and gas industry.

» Via: CBS News › GE investing billions in fracking technology

( 3 ) Utica Shale Gas Facility Coming Soon

Two major roadblocks throttling back shale gas production in Ohio are the lack of pipelines and the lack of processing facilities. Once the midstream infrastructure is in place, production should ramp up.

According to Columbus Business First, there’s progress being made by Pennant Midstream, the company building a processing facility and pipelines near Youngstown.

Pennant, a joint venture between NiSource Midstream Services and Hilcorp Energy Co., will start flowing gas through the first section of the company’s pipeline in the next few weeks.

» Via: Columbus Business First › Pennant’s Utica shale gas facility, pipeline coming soon 

( 4 ) Pennsylvania Power Shifting Toward Natural Gas

According to State Impact Pennsylvania, from National Public Radio, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry is outpacing coal and wind power when it comes to new sources of electricity. Pennsylvania is one state of a 14-state region that’s continuing on a trend that began in 2012. 

» Via: State Impact › Pennsylvania’s Power Generation Continues a Shift from Coal to Natural Gas

( 5 ) Marcellus Shale the Musical?

The New York Times recently reviewed “Marcellus Shale,” a musical written and directed by Paul Zimet and music by Ellen Maddow. The New York Times called it, “…one of the boldest and most venerable politically minded companies in New York experimental theater.”

According to the review, the musical takes place in a rural community in upstate New York. Fracking then transforms the community and divides friends and families.

» Via: The New York Times › Can’t Smell or Breathe, but Checks Keep Coming