MDN’s New Special Report: Will There Be Marcellus Shale Drilling Near Me?

screen2-finalMDN is pleased to announce the new 24-page special report, Will There Be Marcellus Shale Drilling Near Me?, is ready for you to download—for free. This new report shows the number of Marcellus Shale horizontal well drilling permits applied for or issued from January 1, 2010 through February 16, 2011. The report covers the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, detailing the number of well permits by geography and by drilling company.

Why a Report on Drilling Permits?

Although signing bonuses can yield a respectable source of income for landowners, the real money occurs when energy companies drill on or near a landowner’s property. Energy companies need a permit in order to drill, so permits are a good barometer of the intentions of drilling companies.

Drilling permits are better than leases for signaling where there will be drilling activity because you need a permit to drill. Anyone can tie up land in a lease for years at a time—but energy companies that are actually drilling are the ones landowners will want to do business with. Permits point the way to those drillers who are serious.

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Slides from Recent Marcellus Shale Meeting in Binghamton, NY

Below are the slides shared at a public meeting held on March 4, 2011 at the West Middle School Auditorium titled “Marcellus Shale in Our Community: What’s in it for All of Us.” The meeting, attended by some 200 people, was sponsored by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York (JLCNY). Speakers included: Scott Kurkoski, attorney for the JLCNY; John Holko, president of Lenape Resources; Richard Nyahay, manager of geology for New York State, Gastem; Michael Joy, attorney and oil & gas law professor at SUNY Buffalo; and Bob Williams, landowner and coalition member from the Windsor, NY area.

Among the many interesting slides: Several slides showing the economic impact drilling a single Marcellus Shale gas well would have on the Broome County municipality of Maine, NY. (Hint: Over $1M in revenue each year!)

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Advice on Testing Well Water as a Precaution Before Marcellus Gas Drilling Begins

Some Juniata Township residents (located near Altoona, in central Pennsylvania) with properties close to Marcellus Shale drilling sites have had their water tested as a precautionary measure. Their aim is to have evidence in case their water supplies become contaminated due to drilling activity. While MDN would point out that no known instances of chemical contamination of drinking water supplies from Marcellus Shale drilling exist, we applaud anyone who wants to ensure the drilling industry lives up to its stated high standards. The residents of Juniata Township offer this sage advice if you do get testing done:

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