Rig Count Stands at 19 in Ohio’s Utica

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The number of oil and gas rigs operating in Ohio’s Utica shale stood at 19 for the week ended Dec. 15, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, nine new permits for horizontal wells were awarded to two energy companies exploring in the Utica during that week, ODNR reported.

Ascent Resources secured six new permits for wells in Belmont and Jefferson counties, while Gulfport Energy Resources was awarded three permits for new wells in Harrison County.

As of Dec. 15, ODNR has awarded 2,953 permits for horizontal wells in the Utica shale. Of that number, 2,469 wells have been drilled and 2,092 are in production, ODNR said.

There were no new permits issued for Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana counties in the northern section of Ohio’s Utica, according to ODNR.

No new permits were issued in neighboring Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

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