Hilcorp Eyes Two New Wells in Columbiana County

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Hilcorp Energy Co. has applied for three permits related to new horizontal well activity in Columbiana County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

ODNR data show that Hilcorp has submitted applications for two new horizontal wells in Elk Run Township at the ElkRun-Auer well pad targeting the Utica/Point Pleasant shale formation. One of the permits is to drill a horizontal leg at an existing well, while the second permit calls for drilling a new well at the site.

A third permit would allow a revision at an existing well.

There were no permit applications for wells in Mahoning or Trumbull counties in the northern Utica.

During the week ended March 9, ODNR issued 21 new permits to energy companies exploring the Utica in Ohio. Nine permits went to Ascent Resources for wells in Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson counties; Chesapeake Energy secured four permits for new wells in Harrison County; Gulfport Appalachia LLC and XTO Energy Inc. were awarded three permits apiece for new wells in Belmont County, and Rice Drilling LLC secured two permits for wells in Belmont.

As of March 9, energy companies have permitted 3,031 horizontal wells, 2,546 of which have been drilled. ODNR reports there are 2,141 producing Utica wells in the state.

The rig count stood at 14 for the week, according to ODNR.

There were no new permits issued in western Pennsylvania’s northern tier of the Utica, which includes Mercer and Lawrence counties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.