Ohio law requires oil and gas operators to report prior year production from oil and gas wells on an annual basis — by March 31 of the following year. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently unveiled the 2012 production results from Ohio’s Utica shale play. These figures have been much anticipated by investors,… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Shale
Subscribe to Shale RSS FeedManagement of Oil Field Wastes
Posted in Exploration & Production, Ohio, Regulatory, ShaleThe disposal of wastes associated with oil and gas production continues to draw the attention of regulators and concerned citizens. In a series of articles we will examine the waste issue from the characterization of these wastes (discussed below) and their ultimate disposal in underground injection wells. A Brief History of Waste Management and RCRA… Continue Reading
Lawsuits Over “Fraudulent” Oil & Gas Leases Often Lack Merit
Posted in Contracts and Leases, Other Articles, Real Estate, Regulatory, ShaleThe Ohio shale boom started slowly when a few small companies quietly began acquiring mineral leases for as little as $25 per acre. This soon gave way to a full blown land rush in the fall of 2010. But as lease prices skyrocketed through the Fall of 2011, disillusioned lessors who signed before the peak… Continue Reading
Oil & Gas Terms… Confused? You aren’t the only one
Posted in Mineral Interest, Ohio, Real Estate, Regulatory, ShaleThe terms “pooling” and “unitization” are often used interchangeably. To confuse the matter further, in Ohio, there are statutory definitions for a “pool” and a “drilling unit” and neither is related to a “unit.” Hopefully, this will provide some clarification. Pooling and Unitization, Generally To “pool” [the verb] is to combine multiples into a common… Continue Reading
USGS Confirms Potential of the Utica Shale; Finds Ohio Shale Oil “Sweet Spot”
Posted in Exploration & Production, Mineral Interest, Ohio, Regulatory, ShalePart of the mission of the Energy Resources Program of the United States Geological Survey (“USGS”) is to determine the location, quantity, and quality of U.S. mineral and energy resources. In pursuit of that mission, the USGS recently conducted a survey of the potential of the Utica shale across the Appalachian Basin. The results of… Continue Reading
Waterless Alternatives to Fracking Attract Attention
Posted in Exploration & Production, Mineral Interest, Regulatory, ShaleAs public concern about hydraulic fracturing (“fracking” or “fracing”) grows and historic drought conditions parch most of the country, the limelight is focused on technologies that offer alternatives to traditional hydraulic fracturing, which uses large volumes of water. One of the more established technologies in this emerging market is a process that uses liquid petroleum… Continue Reading