We spotted a short article alleging EQT has “abandoned” a shale well in Washington County, PA, and thought it would be a good opportunity to (once again) discuss the misnomer of “abandoned” oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania. Let’s begin with the news as reported… Read More “PA DEP Dings EQT for “Abandoning” Shale Well in Washington County”
Last year, Houston-based EOG Resources acquired Encino Acquisition Partners for $5.6 billion, establishing the Utica Shale as a “third foundational play” alongside its Permian and Eagle Ford assets (see EOG Closes on $5.6B Purchase of Encino Assets in Ohio Utica). As the energy sector navigates a complex landscape of fluctuating oil prices and surging electricity demand, EOG Resources has officially entered 2026 with a strategy that signals a profound shift in its corporate identity. Using the Utica (and Eagle Ford), EOG is now positioning itself as a premier natural gas powerhouse. Read More “EOG’s “Profound Shift” in Identity from Oil to Premier Gas Producer”
It hardly seems worthy of a post to update you on new permits to drill in the Marcellus/Utica when just one permit was issued. We suppose there may be a lag at the various environmental agencies that issue permits, but maybe not. The sole permit issued last week was in Washington County, PA, to Rice Drilling (aka EQT). The details of that well are in the report below. We will re-run our permit search next week to see if any additional permits appear for last week, Dec. 29 through Jan. 4. Read More “M-U Issues Just One New Permit Last Week, Dec 29 – Jan 4”
Vickery Energy Partners, LLC, a portfolio company of the private equity firm Quantum Capital Group, announced yesterday that it has closed on the acquisition of Tribune Resources. The transaction includes assets located primarily in Wetzel, Tyler, Harrison, and Doddridge counties, West Virginia, totaling approximately 38,000 net acres and more than 200 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) of net production. Read More “Former Tug Hill Execs Buy Private WV Driller Tribune Resources”
Ascent Resources announced yesterday that its CEO, Jeffrey A. Fisher, who is both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from his executive roles effective January 31, 2026. Following his retirement, he will serve as Special Advisor to executive management and the Board through December 31, 2026. The board has appointed Brooks M. Shughart, currently President & CFO, to succeed Fisher as CEO on January 31. While the official announcement does not refer to it, the company is currently in the middle of a bidding war to take it over. Read More “Ascent Resources CEO Jeff Fisher Retiring; Bidding War Continues”
On December 17, 2025, a casing failure and loss of well control occurred at one of three wells during fracking operations at a Range Resources pad in Washington County, PA. After gas pressure spiked to 2,000 psi, the company stabilized the well and later installed two kill plugs. Despite Range sending an immediate email notification, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cited Range for failing to use the required website portal for instant alerts. Additionally, the company missed deadlines for a mandatory Area of Review report regarding potential “communication” with other O&G wells and/or water wells in the area. Read More “Range Well Suffers Casing Failure/Loss of Control During Fracking”
The combined number of new permits issued to drill shale wells across the Marcellus/Utica region was 26 for the week of Dec. 22 – 28, more than double the 12 issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 15 new permits, Ohio issued 6, and West Virginia issued 5. Among the companies receiving new permits were Antero, EOG, EQT, Hilcorp, INR, and Range Resources. Read More “26 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 22 – 28”
MDN previously reported news of an explosion and fire on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at an EOG Resources shale well pad located on June Road in Malvern (Carroll County), Ohio (see EOG Shale Oil Pad in Carroll County, OH Explodes During Fracking). According to the scant news we could find, a well on the pad was actively being fracked at the time of the incident. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The fire was contained to a vapor tank on the pad and extinguished quickly. The wellheads themselves were not involved or damaged. During the Dec. 18 Carroll County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners were briefed “to clear up public misconceptions about the incident.” Read More “Carroll County Commissioners Review EOG Well Pad Flash Fire Incident”
The combined number of new permits issued to drill shale wells across the Marcellus/Utica region was 12 for the week of Dec. 15 – 21. Pennsylvania issued 8 new permits, while Ohio issued 4. West Virginia issued no new permits for that period. Among the companies receiving new permits were Seneca Resources, CNX Resources, Gulfport Energy, and EOG Resources. Read More “12 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 15 – 21”
The EOG Resources-owned Wehr Spring Valley Farm well in Ellsworth may signal a resurgence in the oil and gas industry in Mahoning County, Ohio. Producing 40,489 barrels of oil in its first quarter, the well significantly outperformed neighboring sites, validating predictions that the Utica play would yield oil as it moves north. Regional leaders and attorneys attribute this success to advanced drilling technologies, specifically improved surfactant chemistry and closer fracturing stages. This production spike in the Wehr well has revitalized local interest in mineral rights and spurred infrastructure investments, such as Vallourec’s $48 million pipe mill expansion, highlighting the region’s growing economic potential. Read More “EOG Utica Oil Well Results Increase Interest in Mahoning County”
Two weeks ago, MDN brought you the news that Antero Resources, the country’s fifth-largest natural gas producer and largest producer in West Virginia, had cut a deal to buy WV driller and midstreamer HG Energy II for a combined (upstream & midstream) $3.9 billion (see Antero Resources Buys HG Energy II in Deal Worth $3.9 Billion). The deal will add a massive 385,000 net acres to Antero’s existing ~475,000 net core Marcellus acreage position, bringing with it another 850 MMcfe/d in production. The same day we told you that Antero was selling its considerable Ohio Utica assets for $1.2 billion (see NOG & INR Partner to Buy Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica for $1.2B). In an unusual move, Antero CEO Michael Kennedy published a newspaper column to explain the company’s decision to “double down” on WV. Read More “Antero CEO Explains Decision to “Double Down” on West Virginia”
In 2018, Equitrans Midstream, the builder of the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), proposed extending the MVP pipeline (after completion) by an additional 75 miles from the current terminus in Pittsylvania County, VA, to Alamance County, NC, to provide natural gas for heating and electric power generation. The 75-mile extension was called MVP Southgate. In December 2023, Equitrans announced it was significantly changing the project, cutting it by more than half and increasing the amount of gas flowing through it (see Equitrans Slices MVP Southgate Pipe Project From 75 to 31 Miles). Last Thursday, the five commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) officially approved the proposed changes. Read More “FERC Votes to Approve Change of MVP Southgate Route, Capacity”
Volatility is the watchword for new permits in the Marcellus/Utica. Three weeks ago, the combined count between Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia was a measly 8 new permits (see 8 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Nov 24 – 30). Two weeks ago, the number soared to the highest we’ve seen for a single week in a long time, maybe ever, at 60 new permits (see 60 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 1 – 7). Last week? For December 8 – 14, the number sank once again, down to 13. PA issued 5 permits, OH issued 7, and WV issued 1 last week. Read More “13 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 8 – 14”
This is sad and unexpected. Five weeks ago, MDN reported that Energy Transfer was holding off on a final investment decision (FID) for its Lake Charles LNG export project until 80% of the project had been sold to equity partners (see Energy Transfer Taps the Brakes on Lake Charles LNG Export FID). Last week, we reported that ET has now secured enough agreements to move forward with the FID and planned to do so “early next year” (see Energy Transfer Expects FID for Lake Charles LNG Early Next Year). But yesterday, ET announced that it is suspending development of the Lake Charles LNG project to “focus on allocating capital to its significant backlog of natural gas pipeline infrastructure projects that Energy Transfer believes provide superior risk/return profiles.” Read More “Energy Transfer Unexpectedly Kills Lake Charles LNG Export Project”
There was an explosion around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at an EOG Resources shale well pad located on June Road in Malvern (Carroll County), Ohio. A well on the pad was actively being fracked at the time of the incident, according to news reports. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The fire was contained to a vapor tank on the pad. The wellheads themselves were not involved or damaged. Read More “EOG Shale Oil Pad in Carroll County, OH Explodes During Fracking”
The bidding war is heating up for those interested in buying Ascent Resources, a privately held company focused 100% on the Ohio Utica Shale. Ascent is Ohio’s largest natural gas producer and the 8th largest natural gas producer in the U.S. Kimmeridge Energy, a private investment firm focused on the energy sector (sometimes called an “activist investor” and/or corporate raider), has put an offer on the table to buy out and take over Ascent: $6 billion. This is the first hard number we’ve seen since the whole bidding war began last week. Read More “Kimmeridge Joins Ascent Resources Bidding War with $6B Offer”