Miller Energy

Setting an all time record for the prospect expo that began in 1993 with only 800 attendees, 15,000 individuals attended the recent NAPE Expo held at the GRB Convention Center in Houston, Texas. 

On hand representing Miller Energy Company were:  Mike Miller, Luke Miller, James Carl, Bob Dunn and Drew Martin.  MEC staff  had the opportunity to meet with industry partners and worked to expand banking relationships.   Industry exhibits are the main focus of  this annual event as well as the opportunity for the networking of thousands of oil and gas professionals.     The  NAPE Heroes Luncheon featuring country star, LeAnn Rimes honoring our American Vetertans was a highlight of the Expo this year.

On Tuesday, June 22, a federal judge in New Orleans ruled to lift President Obama’s six-month offshore domestic oil and natural gas exploration moratorium. Following the ruling, IPAA Chairman Bruce Vincent issued a statement on behalf of IPAA.

“Today’s ruling is important for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers, for our nation’s energy security, and for the Gulf Coast’s struggling economy,” said Vincent. “This misguided, hastily implemented moratorium fundamentally failed to recognize how critical America’s oil and natural gas industry is to the livelihoods of so many Gulf families.”

The ruling, made by Judge Martin Feldman, was immediately criticized by the Obama administration, saying it will now seek to appeal the ruling and request a stay of the injunction, pending a ruling on the appeal.

 IPAA Staff Contact: Brendan Bradley ( IPAA )

June 21, at 9:00 p.m. (EST) HBO will air the anti-natural gas industry documentary entitled, “GASLAND”.   IPAA and the industry’s coalition group, Energy In Depth, have gone to great lengths to educate policymakers and the media about the deceitful nature of this film.  After months of researching the movie and following its screening nationwide, IPAA and Energy In Depth have launched a major communications campaign to expose the films’ inaccuracies.  Miller Energy stands behind the IPAA in their efforts to shed light on these unfair, inaccurate portrayals of the natural gas industry.  For more information please view “GASLAND Debunked” at the Energy In Depth website.   (ENERGY IN DEPTH) 

GASLAND DEBUNKED Fact Sheet

This week, President Obama reinforced his pledge to levy billions of dollars in new taxes on American oil and natural gas producers. The president’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget calls for new taxes on America’s energy producers – taxes that would increase government revenue by almost $40 billion. These taxes could ultimately force smaller, independent producers – who are responsible for drilling 90 percent of the nation’s wells and on average employ only 12 workers – out of business, costing jobs and deepening our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Additionally, the Administration announced recently a deepwater exploration moratoria – a move that will also decrease American energy production, jobs and federal and state revenues. (more…)

New Technologies Unlocking Job-Creating American Energy Across the Nation

Natural Resources Trust Fund Big Winner as Oil, Natural Gas Producers Invest in Michigan

WASHINGTON – America’s energy potential is growing by the day. And thanks to new, 21st century technologies, and the hard work, hustle and commitment from America’s independent oil and natural gas producers – who drill 90 percent of the nation’s wells and on average employ only 12 workers – great strides continue to be made in our economy and for our energy security.

And while oil and natural gas-producing states like Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are traditional heavy-weights, other energy-producing states, such as Michigan and North Dakota, are joining these ranks.

The Detroit Free Press reports earlier in the week that “Michigan’s gas and oil industry entered a new era Tuesday with a record-setting auction that will be a windfall to the state’s land trust fund and could signal a boom in drilling across the northern Lower Peninsula.” Because of 21st century technologies, such as horizontal drilling coupled with the 60-year old energy stimulation technique called hydraulic fracturing, a “possible boom in a deep formation known as Utica Shale” could be on the horizon for the Wolverine State.  (more…)

WASHINGTON – Following an announcement today by President Obama regarding access to billions of barrels of American oil and trillions of cubic feet of clean-burning, homegrown natural gas along the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Barry Russell – president and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of American (IPAA) – issued the following statement:

“The announcement today from the President is a welcomed first step to addressing the nation’s future energy needs. For decades, Washington has failed to make the tough decisions necessary to develop a responsible, 21^st century American offshore oil and gas program. Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for the short-sighted missteps that have kept these enormous amounts of homegrown energy off-limits.

“Just two summers ago, when gas prices were shattering record highs day after day, the American people sent a clear and resounding message to Washington that we must move forward with commonsense policies that leverage American energy resources into jobs, economic growth, security and stable costs. Even though the congressional and executive bans on offshore energy development were lifted in 2008, this Administration and Congress have by all accounts prolonged and made access to our nation’s job-creating offshore resources more difficult. (more…)

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment. To address these concerns and strengthen our clean energy future and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.

“Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input.” (more…)

WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, America’s independent oil and natural gas producers – who on average employ 12 workers and are responsible for drilling 9 out of 10 wells nationwide – descended upon the nation’s capital to engage legislators and key policymakers on a host of pressing issues. While many issues were discussed and addressed throughout the industry’s fly-in, the focus was largely on taxes, federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, access to domestic energy reserves onshore and off, derivatives and hedging proposals, and the role America’s oil and gas industry continues to play in fostering job creation. (more…)

WASHINGTON – Documents released by the White House today suggest that President Obama will attempt to resurrect a series of punitive tax hikes on U.S. producers of oil and natural gas in his budget plan for 2011 – tax increases that were first proposed last year, but were soundly repudiated by Congress. On the heels of today’s announcement, Barry Russell, president and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), released the following statement: (more…)

Next week, in conjunction with the Washington Board Meeting, nearly 50 IPAA members will make their way to the nation’s capital for an ambitious round of meetings with some of the nation’s key policymakers. The annual Member Call-Up is marked this year by a full schedule of more than 65 meetings with both Democrat and Republican leaders in the House and Senate and their staff.  (more…)

The Houston Chronicle reports that the size of the discovery ranges from 2 trillion to 6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. And it’s believed the discovery will encourage more exploration in shallow waters close to shore where drilling has been occurring for nearly 100 years.

President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Don Briggs told The Times-Picayune that there’s an incorrect perception that “all the low-hanging fruit has been picked” in the Gulf’s shallow waters. However due to new technology that makes it possible to drill extremely deep wells despite high temperatures and pressures, a new frontier is opening for natural gas and oil exploration.

The technology also provides economic opportunities for thousands of American workers. “The trickle down is huge,” Briggs said about the McMoRan well. “It’ll provide jobs. It’ll provide continued exploration.”

It also will provide clean-burning natural gas to heat homes and power industries. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects natural gas will play a very important role in the nation’s overall energy portfolio for decades. In 2030, natural gas is expected to account for 21.8 percent of the energy Americans use every day.

For more information about the DOE’s projection, read the primer below and scroll to page 25. In this document, you’ll also find other facts about energy development and policy.