Utica Shale

Utica Shale Update - 46 Horizontal Well Permits Issued

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued four new permits to drill into the Utica Shale over the last week.  The state has now issued 46 horizontal well permits and 29 stratigraphic test wells permits to various operators through 9/19/2011.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) received a permit to drill the Schmuck Farms 22-14-5-3H horizontal well in Washington Township in Carroll County and another permit for the Mother Earth 24-10-3-8 vertical well in Paris Township in Tuscarawas County.

Eclipse Resources I LP received a permit for the Miley 5H vertical well in Seneca Township in Noble County.

HG Energy received a permit for the Whitacre Enterprises INC 701 S-5H horizontal well in Washington Township in Monroe County.

The Miley 5H Utica Shale well is the first permitted well in Noble County and both Paris and Seneca Townships saw the first drilling permits.

Four New Utica Shale Permits Issued In Ohio

There have been four new Utica Shale drilling permits issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Date	County	Type	Operator	Well
8/18/2011	Columbiana	Vertical	Chesapeake	Weber 35-7-1 8
8/16/2011	Monroe	Vertical	HG Energy	Whitacre Enterprises  701 S-5H
8/16/2011	Tuscarawas	Horizontal	CNX Gas	Troyer Tusc3AHSU
8/16/2011	Tuscarawas	Vertical	CNX Gas	Troyer Tusc3AHSU

CNX Gas is the exploration and production arm of CONSOL Energy (CNX).  Ohio has now issued 53 permits to drill into the Utica Shale through 8/22/2011.  Chesapeake Energy (CHK) is far ahead of other operators and holds 43 of these permits.