Last month, researchers published two major studies showing minimal environmental risks posed by oil and natural gas development. These peer-reviewed studies directly contradict two of the main claims leveled by environmental activists – namely, that fracking poses a significant risk to air quality and groundwater.

The Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas supports over 100,000 jobs and is experiencing “renewed activity,” according to a new study from the University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) Center for Community and Business Research (CCBR). As Omar Garcia, president and CEO of the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER), said in the study’s press release,

The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST) released a new study today that provides further confirmation that fracking is not contaminating groundwater in Texas.

The Drilling Productivity Report uses recent data on the total number of drilling rigs in operation along with estimates of drilling productivity and estimated changes in production from existing oil and natural gas wells to provide estimated changes in oil and natural gas production for seven key regions. EIA's approach does not distinguish between oil-directed rigs and gas-directed rigs because once a well is completed it may produce both oil and gas; more than half of the wells produce both.

The United States remained the world's top producer of petroleum and natural gas hydrocarbons in 2016 for the fifth straight year despite production declines for both petroleum and natural gas relative to their 2015 levels. The United States has been the world's top producer of natural gas since 2009, when U.S. natural gas production surpassed that of Russia, and it has been the world's top producer of petroleum hydrocarbons since 2013, when its production exceeded Saudi Arabia’s.

Methane emissions from oil and natural gas development may be far lower than previously thought, according to a new peer-reviewed study. Researchers led by Dr. Stefan Schwietzke with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that previous high emissions estimates were based on measurements taken during peak events, and do not necessarily reflect average emission rates.

A new study from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that hydraulic fracturing is not a significant source of chemicals and methane in drinking water wells. Instead, the researchers conclude that the low concentration of chemicals and methane in some drinking water wells is most likely naturally occurring.

Undiscovered oil resources in West Texas’ Spraberrry Formation are estimated to be over 700 percent larger than previously thought, according to a new assessment from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).