Drilling Down
Chesapeake Gets Permits for Columbiana, Carroll Wells
Tuesday, August 06, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued 12 horizontal permits for oil and gas exploration in the Utica shale last week, according to records.
Chesapeake Exploration LLC was awarded a permit Aug. 1 to drill a horizontal well in Columbiana County on the Leona property in Franklin Township, ODNR reported. The Oklahoma City based-company also secured two more permits in Carroll County, where Chesapeake is most active.
There were no new permits issued to companies exploring in Mahoning or Trumbull counties during the week, according to ODNR.
NiSource to Resurface Roads Near Processing Plant
Tuesday, August 06, 2013SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- NiSource Midstream Services says it will spend $1.5 million to improve roadways near its $150 million processing plant now under construction in Mahoning County.
Work is to start Aug. 12 and finish by Aug. 30, NiSource officials announced during a meeting of the Springfield Township Trustees Monday evening.
Poland Township Wells Key to Hilcorp's Utica Play
Tuesday, August 06, 2013POLAND, Ohio -- Poland Township is fast emerging as the nexus of oil and gas production in Mahoning County as Houston-based Hilcorp Energy Co. accelerates its drilling plans and its partner, NiSource Midstream, continues work on a huge cryogenic plant in adjacent Springfield Township.
At the center of this drilling activity is the Carbon Limestone Landfill site – 2,200 acres owned by Republic Services Inc. and leased to Hilcorp for oil and gas exploration in the Utica shale.
US Petroleum Exploration to Announce Operations
Monday, August 05, 2013CANFIELD, Ohio -- A new company, US Petroleum Exploration Inc., plans to cut the ribbon today for its new offices at 4137 Boardman-Canfield Road. The company is focused “on exploring for hydrocarbons for the oil and gas industry in the most environmentally friendly way possible,” says a media advisory distributed by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Anti-Fracking Activists Call Coalition Effort 'Dangerous'
Friday, August 02, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Members of FrackFree Mahoning Valley say an organized and well-funded effort to squash the group's initiative to place a measure banning hydraulic fracturing before voters in November is "dangerous" to democracy.
"We view what they're doing is a misguided attempt to interfere with the fundamental right of placing the issue on the ballot," said Susie Beiersdorfer, an activist opposed to the use of hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry.