A recent announcement of highly successful wells drilled into the Utica Shale of eastern Ohio has many communities excited about the potential opportunities and problems associated with a shale drilling boom.
More at Morgan County Herald.Utica Shale
Aubrey McClendon on the Utica Shale
On July 28th Chesapeake Energy announced spectacular drilling results for multiple wells in the Utica Shale of eastern Ohio. In this video, Chesapeake CEO Aubrey NcClendon tells Jim Cramer about the significance and potential value of their discovery. See the video and more at CNBC.com.
Major Natural Gas Liquids Find in the Utica Shale
Chesapeake Energy announced a major new natural gas liquids play in the Utica Shale of eastern Ohio based upon results from six horizontal and nine vertical wells. The company holds 1.25 million net leasehold acres in the Utica Shale and believes that they could be worth $15 – $20 billion in increased value to the company.
More at Chesapeake Energy.
Shale Gas and U.S. National Security
The Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University has published a report titled: “Shale Gas and U.S. National Security”. “This study assesses the impact of U.S. domestic shale gas development on energy security and U.S. national security, with emphasis on the geopolitical consequences of rising supplies of U.S. natural gas from shale and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.” Quoted from the report summary.
Ohio is Ready for Marcellus and Utica Shale Development
“Everything that made Ohio the ideal location choice for suppliers to the automotive industry is in place for Tier I and II suppliers to efficiently and affordably supply the Marcellus and Utica Shale gas industry.” Quoted from the Ohio Business Development Coalition press release.
Who Owns the Mineral Rights?
An article in the Columbus Dispatch reports that the State of Ohio considers leasing state park lands for natural gas production from the Utica Shale. However, they only own the mineral rights to about 1/3 of the land and the mineral ownership for many more parcels is unknown.
Drilling the Marcellus Shale on Pennsylvania Game Lands
The Pennsylvania Game Commission hopes to generate millions of dollars in revenue by expanding the natural gas leasing program on Pennsylvania Game Lands. More in the Wall Street Journal.
Buffalo Common Council Bans Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing was banned within the city limits of Buffalo, New York as the Buffalo Common Council passed the “Buffalo Community Protection from Natural Gas Extraction Ordinance”. An article on the EPOnline.com website reports on the vote and includes a video showing some of the public testimony that was received before passing.
Tom Corbett Speaks Against “Forced Pooling”
Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett, says that he is against changes to laws governing oil and gas drilling that will enable “forced pooling” – which can require property owners to be participants in a consolidation of many neighboring properties into a single lease/royalty agreement. More at Forbes.com.
Are Ohio Severance Taxes on Oil and Natural Gas Too Low?
An article in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette explains how the State of Ohio is taking in very little from oil and gas drilling being done in the state and compares their income with that of other oil and gas producing states.
Chesapeake Energy: Land Acquisition Machine
A post on the Seeking Alpha blog details how successful Chesapeake Energy has been at rapidly leasing enormous acreages in all of the major natural gas shale plays in the United States. They author calls them a “land acquisition machine”.
Natural Gas Concerns Trigger Water Testing in Pennsylvania
Drinking water facilities and wastewater treatment plants will expand their water testing procedures out of concern for radioactive particles in wastewater produced during natural gas drilling. More in the New York Times.
Drilling for Shale Gas in Ohio State Parks?
The Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Upper Devonian Shales are beneath many of Ohio’s State Parks. Some members of Ohio State Government would like to obtain the lease and royalty monies from those lands while environmentalists oppose that drilling. More in the Columbus Dispatch.
Chesapeake Spends $1B Acquiring Utica Shale Leases in Ohio
A article in the Dayton Daily News reports that oil and gas companies are rushing to lease land above the Utica Shale in eastern and central Ohio. They report that Chesapeak Energy has spent $1 billion on Utica Shale leases in Ohio.
How Much Gas in the Utica Shale?
The Utica Shale has a larger geographic extent than both the Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin and the Barnett Shale of Texas. It is also has a much larger total volume. Will its gas producing potential exceed that of the Marcellus and Barnett. An article on the Seeking Alpha blog explores this question.
“Triple Play” in the Appalachian Basin
John Pinkerton, CEO of Range Resources, explains the “Triple Play” in natural gas that can be had in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. Shale gas can be produced from the Upper Devonian Shale, the Marcellus Shale, and the Utica Shale – all from a single drill pad. More in the Star-Telegram Blogs.
Drillers Targeting the Utica Shale
An article on the Pittsburgh Live website reports on drilling activity targeting the Utica Shale, the next shale reservoir below the Marcellus Shale.
No Hydraulic Fracturing or Waste Water Disposal in Buffalo
The Common Council of Buffalo, New York voted to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing within city limits. In addition, it bans the disposal of drilling waste water anywhere within the city. More at Empire State News.
Local Government Groups Want to Cash in on Gas Shales
An article in the Business Journal Daily explains why many state, county and community governments are interested in offering their land for natural gas drilling. This article focuses on county governments in northeastern Ohio who consider leasing their Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale acreages.
Public Opposition to Utica Shale Development in Quebec
An article in the Montreal Gazette says that development of the Utica Shale in Quebec is encountering public opposition. In Quebec, landowners do not directly participate in natural gas royalties and lease payments as is customary in the United States.
Romancing the Utica Shale in Quebec
Michael Binnion, CEO of Questerre Energy, is spending a lot of time meeting with citizen groups across Quebec, trying to convince them that drilling for the Utica Shale will be a safe development in their province. There has been very little energy activity in Quebec’s history. More at the Calgary Sun.
Utica Shale: The Natural Gas Giant Beneath the Marcellus
A rock layer below the Marcellus Shale could prove to be another incredible source of natural gas. The Utica Shale is thicker, more geographically extensive and has already proven its ability to support commercial production.
Enormous Potential of the Utica Shale
An article in the Williamsport (PA) SunGazette.com summarizes a very optimistic assessment (with qualifiers) for natural gas production from the Utica Shale from a presentation given by Penn State faculty.
Eastern Ohio / Utica Shale Land Rush
Ohio didn’t get very much action when landmen were leasing the Marcellus Shale. However, now that the Utica Shale – a rock unit below the Marcellus – is getting attention, leasing activity in eastern Ohio is finally taking off. More in the Columbus Dispatch.
Console Drills the Utica Shale in Eastern Ohio
Consol Energy, more widely known as a coal-mining company, is drilling for the Utica Shale in eastern Ohio.
Economic Impact of the Utica Shale in New York
Development of the Utica Shale in Quebec could yield over one billion dollars per year in royalties and thousands of jobs. More on the CBC News site.
Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale Under Eastern Ohio
An article in the Marietta Times reviews the potential for natural gas produced from the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale beneath eastern Ohio. The article includes quotes from academia, the natural gas industry and legal profession.
Marcellus and Utica Shale Fracturing in New York
Gastem USA has received approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to do hydraulic fracturing tests of the Utica and Marcellus Shales in two wells. More at the Oil and Gas Journal.
Shale Country – ShaleCountry.com
Have you seen ShaleCountry.com, prepared by American Clean Skies Foundation?
“Given all the energy buzz about shale gas, as well as the environmental concerns, we wanted to find an engaging way to share the actual day-to-day experiences of people living in the areas where the gas is being produced – the Haynesville shale in Louisiana, the Fayetteville in Arkansas, and the Marcellus in New York and Pennsylvania.” Quote from the “About ShaleCountry.com” page.
Utica Shale Activity in Quebec
Quebec is a fossil fuel consumer with very little local production. However, some of the first wells are being drilled into the Utica Shale and hundreds more have already been permitted. More at The Globe and Mail.
