Drilling companies that have found better-producing wells in southeast Ohio counties are selling their leases in the northern counties of the Utica Shale. The Vindicator reports that wells will move again into West Virginia and the southeastern counties of Pennsylvania as the shale is explored further.

A well costs around $9 or $10 million to build and operate, so substantial production must be maintained in order for the well to be worth the cost. The northern Utica shales weren’t generating enough to be worth the cost.

Interest is shifting toward natural gas, which is mainly found in southeast Ohio counties. Dry gas is becoming a primary focus for Belmont and Monroe counties instead of the wet gas found throughout the region.

If the price of gas goes up, wells in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties may be put to use again. In the meantime, high producing wells will be drilled and fracked.

Via: The Vindicator > Utica shale activity continuing to move south