SALEM, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued 38 new permits for horizontal wells in March, a five-permit drop from February, but still more than the 32 issued in the state in January.
Monroe County
The county with the highest number of new permits issued remained Monroe County, with nine. That number, however, is down from the 17 issued to sites in the county in February. Eight of the nine new permits were issued to Antero Resources in Seneca Township, where drilling has already begun. The remaining new permit was issued to Eclipse Resources in Switzerland Township.
Carroll County
Carroll County continued to lead the state’s new oil and gas production overall, with 475 total permits and 341 producing wells. Carroll County sites received three new permits in March, all issued to Chesapeake Exploration, in Brown and Washington townships. Drilling had begun at the Brown Township site.
Harrison County
There were five new permits issued in Harrison County in March, the same number as it had been issued in February. This follows a recent high of 22 new permits in Harrison County in December. All five new permits in the county were issued in Athens Township to Hess Ohio Developments. Harrison remains second to Carroll County in total permits and producing wells, 332 and 143, respectively.
Belmont County
Belmont County had the third highest number of permits overall in March, with 229, as well as the third highest number of producing wells, with 71. There were also eight new permits issued in Belmont County in March. The permits were issued in York and Pease townships to American Energy Utica. Drilling has begun at two of the York Township locations.
Marcellus shale
The ODNR has issued 44 permits for horizontal drilling in the Marcellus shale. There are 29 drilled Marcellus shale wells in Ohio. No permits were issued in March.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued 227 well permits in March, with the most issued in Bradford, Greene and Washington counties — with 45, 39 and 26 permits issued, respectively. In addition, the Pa. DEP reported 92 wells drilled in March, up from 72 in February.
Butler County
Butler County had the most drilled wells, with 13. There were also 15 permits issued in Butler County, an increase of one from February. There were six permits issued in the county in January.
Susquehanna County
Susquehanna County also showed high numbers in both permits issued, 24, and drilled wells, 13, in March.
West Virginia
All permits issued in the Farm and Dairy readership area in February were issued in the Marcellus shale.
Monongalia County. Monongalia County had the most new permits in March, with two issued to Northeast Natural Energy on properties owned by Ellen F. Campbell.
Wetzel County
Wetzel County had the most total permits issued within the in the Farm and Dairy readership area, with 12.
Marshall County
Marshall County followed closely, with 10 total permits issued by the end of March.
