According to the Cumberland Times-News, Marylands natural gas prospects have been severely damaged. Why? All gas drilling permits for Maryland have been withdrawn by the drilling companies.

Dry vs. wet

Maryland’s area of Marcellus Shale contains mostly dry gas. Dry gas isn’t as lucrative as wet gas. Wet gas formations contain the very important natural gas liquids (NGLs) that companies are very interested in, right now.

Dry gas is an older and more mature gas that contains mostly…gas. It’s largely made up of methane. Wet gas, on the other hand, contains NGLs including ethane, butane, propane and others.

It comes down to economics:

“The economics of natural gas are also cutting into the the possibilities of production in Maryland. The growing abundance of natural gas is driving prices down and discouraging new drilling, according to the report.”

The price of natural gas has dropped between 2007 and 2008 and with a record amount of natural gas reserves, drilling for dry gas is becoming less profitable.

Political pressures

Maryland’s politicians weren’t too interested in drilling, anyway. A state moratorium bill was to be introduced by Delegate Heather Mizeur. The bill would ban fracturing in Maryland until the state completed 14 studies on gas drilling, laid out by Gov. Martin O’Malley.

What about the Utica?

The Utica Shale contains a mixture of wet gas and oil. Though companies are pulling out of parts of the Utica, drilling permits are still coming in to Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources.

» Via: Cumberland Times-News › MDE: All drilling permits have been withdrawn