Rice, Ascent receive horizontal well permits for Utica Shale
Monday, June 17, 2019
Rice Drilling LLC and Ascent Resources Utica LLC received a combined 11 new permits for horizontal wells in the Utica shale during the week ended June 8, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Rice Drilling LLC was awarded six permits to drill in Belmont County. Ascent Resources Utica LLC secured the other five permits — two in Belmont and three in Guernsey counties.
The number of rigs operating in Ohio’s Utica Shale stood at 19, according to the ODNR.
As of June 8, ODNR has issued 3,106 permits for horizontal wells across the Utica — 2,613 of those wells are drilled and 2,222 are in production.
Learn more: The Youngstown Business Journal > ODNR Approves 11 Permits in Utica Shale
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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.