Drilling Down
Applications Slow Down for Horizontal Well Permits
Thursday, August 22, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Permitting activity for oil and gas exploration in the Utica/Point Pleasant shale formations in eastern Ohio nearly stopped during the week of Aug. 8, as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued just two permits for horizontal wells across the state.
One of those wells is planned for Columbiana County, the agency reports. ODNR issued a permit Aug. 16 to Chesapeake Exploration LLC for a new well at the Altenhof farm in Hanover Township, records show.
Marcellus Coalition: 96% of Shale Workers from 5 States
Thursday, August 22, 2013PITTSBURGH -- The Marcellus Shale Coalition today released the results of its annual workforce survey, a real-time overview of the employment makeup of the region’s natural gas industry.
Some Wells Flowing Here, Others in Testing Mode
Saturday, August 17, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- As companies such as Halcon Resources Corp. heap praise over early results of wells recently drilled and tested in Trumbull County, others are methodically assessing the potential of this northern tier of the Utica before they make any major commitments.
Meantime, others have shifted their focus from the north to counties in the southeastern portion of the state where the results have – at least for now – proven more productive.
Forum Touts Opportunities for Shale Jobs
Thursday, August 15, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson visited North Dakota three weeks ago to get an idea of the impact of the Bakken shale play there and found a key difference with the Utica and Marcellus plays in this region.
“It’s like the gold rush out there. They are giving $5,000 signing bonuses to young people to work at McDonald’s," Johnson reported at a forum for educators, "Training Students for the Jobs of Today and Tomorrow," held Wednesday at Choffin Career Center.