Utica Shale

Utica Shale Permit Update - Chesapeake Energy Maintains Lead

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has now issued 116 drilling permits for the Utica Shale, including 61 horizontal and 55 vertical permits.  This data covers the period from December 2009 through November 6, 2011.

Devon Energy (DVN) received the company’s first permits to drill into the Utica Shale for the Eichelberger David 1H and Eichelberger David 1P in Clear Creek Township in Ashland County.  The company was also issued permits for the Richman Farms 1H and Richman Farms 1P wells in Harrisville Township in Medina County.  These are the first Utica Shale wells to be drilled in Medina County.

Anadarko Petroleum (APC) was issued six drilling permits for the FERC Noble Olive A-1H, FERC Noble Olive A-1, FERC Noble Sharon A-1H, FERC Noble Sharon A-1, CSPC Coshocton Linton B-1H and CSPC Coshocton Linton B-1 wells. Four of these wells are in Noble County and the other two will be the first wells drilled in Coshocton County.  

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) continues to gain ground on its competitors and received 16 Utica Shale drilling permits.  

Columbiana County - Trebilcock 25-15-4 3H well

Mahoning County - Jarvis 4-17-4 3H and Jarvis 4-17-4 3 wells

Stark County - Paradise Valley Farms 17-8-6 8H and Paradise Valley Farms 17-8-6 8 wells

Portage County - Murvay Portage 8H and Murvay Portage 8 wells

Carroll County - Snoddy 11-13-5 5H, Snoddy 11-13-5 1H and Houyouse 15-13-5 8H wells.

Jefferson County - Vahalik 18-11-4 8H, Vahalik 18-11-4 8, Denoon 5-10-3 3H, Denoon 5-10-3 3, Rowe 32-9-3 8 and Denoon 5-10-3 5H wells.

Rex Energy Reports Success Of Cheeseman #1H Utica Shale Well

Rex Energy (REXX) reported the successful completion of the company’s first well into the Utica Shale formation.  The well was drilled and completed in the dry gas area of the play in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

The Cheeseman #1H well had a twenty four hour production test rate of 9.2 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.  The well was drilled with a 3,551 foot lateral and completed with a twelve stage hydraulic fracturing operation.

Rex Energy did not disclose the cost of the Cheeseman #1H well and said that it would discuss development plans for the Utica Shale once the company sets its 2012 capital budget.

Exxon Mobil Plans First Utica Shale Well in 2012

Exxon Mobil (XOM) commented on the company’s development plans in the Utica Shale in 2012.  The company picked up acreage here through the acquisition of Phillips Resources in June 2011, and has also been leasing acreage on its own.

Utica Shale

“Exxon Mobil is also actively exploring several other early stage liquids-rich play in the United States, including the Utica Shale play in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Our position in the Utica stems from our recently completed acquisition of the Phillips companies and represents incremental upside to the Phillips acquisition, which was focused on the Marcellus. The Phillips acquisition included 45,000 net acres prospective for the Utica in Ohio, and we have increased our position now to over 75,000 net acres. We anticipate drilling our first Utica well in early 2012.”

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