Utica Shale development has been taking off in Ohio this year even gaining national attention just last week with a visit by Jim Cramer.  It seems each week headlines zip past our desks indicating new jobs, investments, and opportunities thanks to increased oil and natural gas production in the Buckeye State.  While the barrage of developments is good news for getting Ohio back on track, it is  important to understand where Utica Shale development is helping boost Ohio’s economy.

To date, there have been 423 permits issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resource Management for wells in the Utica/Point Pleasant geological formation. Of those 423 permitted wells 176 of them have been developed, and of those 35 are in production.

Thus far Utica Shale permits have been issued in the following 21 counties: (Updates in Bold)

• Ashland -1
• Belmont – 11
• Carroll – 149
• Columbiana – 58
• Coshocton – 5
• Geauga – 1
• Gurnsey – 24
• Harrison – 51
• Holmes – 2
• Jefferson – 31
• Knox – 2
• Mahoning – 14
• Medina – 1
• Monroe – 18
• Muskingum – 3
• Noble – 13
• Portage – 14
• Stark – 13
• Trumbull – 2
• Tuscarawas – 9
• Wayne – 1

All of these permits have been provided to 18 companies that are working to develop Utica Shale in Ohio.

• Anadarko E&P Company LP – 12
• Antero Res Appalachian Corp – 5
• Atlas Noble – 5
• Carrizo Utica LLC – 3
• Chesapeake Exploration LLC – 283
• Chevron Appalachia LLC – 2
• CNX Gas Company LLC – 11
• Devon Energy Production Co – 12
• Enervest Operating LLC – 14
• EQT Production Company – 1
• Gulfport Energy corporation – 19
• Hall Drilling – 1
• Hess Ohio Develop. LLC – 10
• Hess Ohio Resources LLC – 3
• HG Energy LLC – 16
• Marquette Exploration – 1
• Mountaineer Keystone LLC – 7
• Ohio Buckeye Energy – 1
• Petroleum Development Corp 2
• R E Gas Development LLC – 5
• Sierra Resources LLC -3
• Swepi LP – 1
• XTO Energy Inc. – 4

While still very early in its development, hosting only 35 producing wells, the Utica Shale is already showing some very exciting early results. The best part, this development, and the jobs and revenue that come with it, has occurred without a single environmental violation to date.  That successful track record is due to the diligence of companies operating in the state in addition to Ohio’s strong regulations as noted in Senate Bill 315 the bi-partisan update to those regulations.

Thanks to our natural resources, the diligence of these companies, a strong regulatory foundation and the billions being invested  from development there’s a renewed sense of optimism in Ohio thanks to the Utica Shale.

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