Utica Rig Count Rises to 19

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The rig count in Ohio’s Utica shale rose to 19 during the week ended Nov. 12, up from 16 recorded the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Permitting activity for the week was slow, as just two permits for new horizontal wells were issued. Gulfport Energy Corp. received both permits to drill new wells in Monroe County, according to ODNR.

No new permits were issued in Mahoning, Trumbull, or Columbiana counties during the week. However, 11 permits were issued to Hilcorp Energy Co. for new wells in Columbiana County during the week ended Nov. 5, an indication there is still interest in developing this part of the Utica.

As of Nov. 12, 2,300 permits have been issued in Ohio’s Utica, 1,838 wells have been drilled, and 1,432 wells are in production.

No Utica permits were issued in Mercer or Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Meanwhile, oil and gas output from the Utica is expected to decline in December, finds the latest drilling productivity report from the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

The EIA reported Nov. 14 that Utica oil production should decline about 2,000 barrels per day, from 54,000 barrels produced in November to 52,000 produced in December. And, oil output is expected to decline by 12 million cubic feet per day, from 4.106 million cubic feet in November to 4.094 million cubic feet in December, the agency said.

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