ODNR Approves 11 Permits in Utica Shale

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources approved 11 new permits for horizontal wells in the Utica shale during the week ended June 8, according to the latest data provided by the agency.

Rice Drilling LLC secured six new permits to drill in Belmont County, while Ascent Resources Utica LLC was awarded five new permits: two in Belmont and three in Guernsey counties.

The number of rigs operating during the week stood at 19, according to ODNR. 

As of June 8, ODNR has issued 3,106 permits for horizontal wells across the Utica, the majority of which are in the southeastern part of the state.  The agency reported that 2,613 of those wells are drilled and 2,222 are in production.

There were no new permits issued for the northern Utica – which includes Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. 

Also, no new permits were issued in neighboring Mercer and Lawrence counties in western Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 

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