Marcellus shale gas drilling in area peaked in 2011
Marcellus shale natural gas drilling peaked in most of the area in 2011, according to state Department of Environmental Protection spud reports.
In Fayette County, 47 unconventional wells were drilled last year; 54 in 2011; 44 in 2010 and four so far this year.
In Greene County, 105 wells were drilled last year; 121 in 2011; 103 in 2010 and 36 so far this year.
In Westmoreland County, 42 well were drilled last year; 59 in 2011; 49 in 2010 and 14 so far this year.
The exception is Washington County, where 195 wells were drilled last year; 155 in 2011; 166 in 2010 and 68 so far this year.
Chevron Appalachia has been the primary driller in Fayette County for the last few years. Chevron drilled all four new wells this year and the majority of the wells in the last two years.
A spokesman declined to discuss the specifics of the company’s exploration but said it plans to continue working in the area for many years.
“Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties are part of our core operating area in southwest Pennsylvania. We have a long-term business plan, and we expect to continue to operate in this region for decades,” Chevron spokesman Nate Calvert said.
As of Wednesday, the four wells Chevron drilled in Fayette County are in Luzerne Township.
Last year, Chevron drilled 46 of the 47 wells that were drilled in the county, including 13 in Luzerne Township.
Chevron drilled nine in Jefferson Township, six in Franklin Township, five in Perry Township, four in Redstone Township, three in Menallen Township, three in Nicholson Township and two in Washington Township.
Burnett Oil Co. Inc. drilled one in German Township.
In Greene County, four exploration companies drilled eight wells in Washington Township, seven in Dunkard Township, six in Jackson Township, four in Cumberland Township, four in Center Township and two in Greene Township.
Last year, 47 wells were drilled in Center, 11 in Morris Township, nine in Cumberland, eight in Morgan Township, five in Franklin Township, three each in Aleppo, Jackson, Dunkard, and Greene townships; two in Springhill Township and one each in Jefferson and Richhill townships.