ODNR issues Utica permits to Chesapeake, Ascent
Thursday, March 28, 2019
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources granted six new drilling permits for horizontal wells in Ohio’s Utica shale during the week ended March 16, according to The Youngstown Business Journal.
Chesapeake Exploration LLC received three of the permits, while the other three were issued to Ascent Resources LLC. Both companies plan to drill wells in Harrison County.
As of March 16, oil and gas companies have drilled 2,552 wells in Ohio’s Utica with 2,168 of those wells producing. In total, the ODNR has issued 3,037 horizontal well permits since energy companies started exploring the play in 2010.
Learn more: The Youngstown Business Journal > ODNR issues six new permits for Utica Shale wells
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.