Guernsey, Noble, Belmont cited among most promising
by Z. Daniel Barnett - Published: May 7, 2013
As the oil and gas exploration boom continues in Ohio, one business analyst has cited five area counties among the ten most promising in the state.Jeff Bell, a staff writer for Columbus' Business First journal, recently released his "Top Ten" areas that will likely see the greatest economic impact from oil and gas drilling. With more than 250 permits issued, to date, Carroll County was ranked first among Ohio's counties. Nearby Harrison County came in second, with Columbiana County rounding out the top three.
However, much of our listening area was included in the ranks of the most promising drill sites. Guernsey County, with its 35 drilling permits, ranked fourth. And Noble, Monroe, and Belmont County took spots number six, seven, and eight. Bell said that the number of drilling permits issued in Harrison, Guernsey, Belmont, and Noble Counties has more than doubled in the last nine months.
Tom Stewart, Vice President of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, recently reiterated that southeastern Ohio is proving rich in so-called "wet gases," such as ethane, propane, and butane.
To date, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has issued 627 permits for wells in the Utica Shale formation. Of those, 310 have been developed, and 89 are in production.
Take a closer look at Jeff Bell's report at the Columbus Business First website.
April In-Review - Thus far, Utica Shale permits have been issued in the following 22 counties:
Ashland –1
Belmont – 22
Carroll – 249
Columbiana – 68
Coshocton – 5
Geauga – 1
Guernsey – 34
Harrison – 80
Holmes – 3
Jefferson – 33
Knox – 2
Mahoning – 17
Medina – 1
Monroe – 27
Muskingum – 3
Noble – 32
Portage – 14
Stark – 13
Trumbull – 4
Tuscarawas – 13
Washington – 4
Wayne – 1
