Latest rig count numbers are down from last year in tri-state area
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
As expected, rig counts in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia are down, according to the Baker Hughes weekly report.
Pittsburgh Business Times reports that the Marcellus and Utica rig counts are the lowest they’ve been since 2010. As of Jan. 29, Pennsylvania had 22 drilling rigs, Ohio had 14 rigs and West Virginia had 12 rigs.
A year ago, Pennsylvania had 54 active drilling rigs, Ohio had 41 and West Virginia had 23.
Via: Pittsburgh Business Times > Rig count hits lowest levels since 2010
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
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.