Here’s this week’s top Utica and Marcellus shale stories.

There’s more than One Way to Make a Dollar in the Utica Shale:

According to the Canton Repository, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Companies developing the Utica shale take different approaches when it comes to making profits.

Chesapeake, for example, is focusing on producing natural gas and natural gas liquids, but producing isn’t the only money maker in the Utica. EnerVest has opted to sell land to other companies, for a profit.

Crosstex Energy is playing a supporting role by building natural gas compressor stations in Noble and Monroe Counties.

» Via: The Canton Repository › Utica shale players selling, drilling

Athens gets good news with updated shale maps:

Data collected from a well drilled last summer in Athens County is changing how the state depicts the county on shale maps, according to the Athens Messenger. The new maps depict Athens County as a viable oil and gas production site.

The Ohio Geological Survey is cautious, however, saying that more data is needed to give a better picture of the county’s potential.

» Via: The Athens Messenger › New maps more positive for Utica shale drilling in Athens County, but data slim

Oil and Gas Companies Having Difficulty Hiring:

Are shale companies finding employees or not? We’ve reported several stories about oil and gas companies hiring Ohio employees, but this article from the Anchorage Daily News says companies are having troubles finding the high-end employees they need to compete.

According to the article, wages in energy and mining have grown at nine times the rate of all industries since 2008. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. The lack of skilled workers can slow progress and even scrap projects.

» Via: Anchorage Daily News› Dearth of skilled oil, natural gas workers imperils $100 billion projects

Natural Gas Locomotives:

Natural gas powered cars may not be the only natural gas-powered form of transportation. We may have locomotives that run on natural gas soon.

According to GoErie.com, GE may soon develop natural gas locomotives because that’s what the company’s customers want. The recent shale gas boon has made natural gas very cheap. According to Lorenzo Simonelli, chief executive of GE Transportation, using liquefied natural gas could save up to 50 percent on fuel costs.

» Via: GoErie.com› GE Transportation eyes natural gas locomotives

Bill would Beef Up Fracking Regulations:

Illinois lawmakers have crafted a bill, called HB2615,  over the past eight months that ups regulations on oil and gas companies. According to The News-Gazette, the bill was forged with representatives of the oil and gas industry and statewide environmental groups.

The bill requires all flowback be stored in closed tanks. It also requires the sampling of water sources near gas wells to be tested before and after a well’s been drilled.

» Via: The News-Gazette› GE Transportation eyes natural gas locomotives

Utica Shale Map Updates

According to the revised Utica shale maps posted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Utica may extend farther west than previously thought, according to the Canton Repository.

The revised map projects a hot spot between Marion and Wyandor counties.

» Via: The Canton Repository› Utica shale might stretch farther west

Company Wont Drill Under Animal Preserve

The giraffes, rhinos and zebras of the Wilds animal preserve in Muskingum County, Ohio, won’t be seeing a shale gas well anytime soon, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Houston-based Anadarko Petroleum still owns the mineral rights to the 9,000 acre preserve, but has recently revised its drilling plans.

According to Tom Stewart, vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Andarkto Petroleum has stopped drilling activities in the state.

» Via: The Columbus Dispatch› Company won’t drill under Wilds