ODNR Issues Eight Permits for Utica Exploration

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Eight new permits for horizontal wells were issued in the Utica shale last week, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

ODNR released four new drilling permits to R.E. Gas Development LLC, a subsidiary of Rex Energy Corp., for wells in Carroll County during the week ended March 12. The agency also issued four horizontal permits to Gulfport Energy Corp. for new wells in Monroe County.

To date, ODNR has issued 2,148 well permits in eastern Ohio’s Utica shale. Of that number, 1,695 are drilled and 1,244 are producing.

However, the Utica’s rig count dropped to 12 from 15 during the previous week ODNR reported, a telltale sign that energy companies are pulling back in the face of continued low energy prices.

There were no new wells issued for Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana counties during the week, according to ODNR.

Nor were there new Utica permits issued in Mercer or Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania, just across the Ohio border, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

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