Guernsey County

Belmont County | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Regulation

Ohio Gets Ready to Open Another 23K Ac. of State Land for Fracking
June 26, 2026June 26, 2026

The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) is set to vote on Monday to open roughly 23,000 acres of publicly owned wildlife preserves in eastern Ohio to fracking. The panel will weigh accepting bids on about 15,000 acres split between Jockey Hollow and Egypt Valley, plus opening another 8,000 acres of Egypt Valley. Approval would bring Ohio’s leased public land to more than 30,000 acres across Salt Fork State Park and six wildlife areas, mostly in the Belmont-Harrison-Guernsey region. Ohio has already collected roughly $57 million in signing bonuses, plus 18–20% royalties. Read More “Ohio Gets Ready to Open Another 23K Ac. of State Land for Fracking”
Bradford County | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Marion County | Ohio | Ohio County | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Susquehanna County | Washington County | Weekly Permits | West Virginia

23 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 11 – 17
May 21, 2026May 29, 2026

NOTE: MDN will not publish on Friday, May 22, and Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Therefore, we are publishing the weekly permits report a day early.

The Marcellus/Utica region received 23 new drilling permits last week, May 11 – 17, up from the 22 permits issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 14 of last week’s permits. Ohio issued 4 new permits. West Virginia issued 5 new permits last week. The drillers who received new permits included: EOG Resources, EQT, Expand Energy, and Range Resources. Read More “23 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 11 – 17”
Ascent Resources | Bradford County | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Monongalia County | Noble County | Northeast Natural Energy | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Weekly Permits | West Virginia

22 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 4 – 10
May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

The Marcellus/Utica region received 22 new drilling permits last week, May 4 – 10, up from the 19 permits issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 10 of last week’s permits. Ohio issued 8 new permits. West Virginia issued 4 new permits last week. The drillers who received new permits included: Ascent Resources, EOG Resources, EQT (including subsidiary Rice Drilling), Expand Energy, and Northeast Natural Energy. Read More “22 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 4 – 10”
Belmont County | Guernsey County | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Regulation

Ohio OKs Fracking Under 8,236 Acres of Egypt Valley Wildlife Area
March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) voted on Friday to open more than 8,700 acres of public land, including an additional 513 acres under Salt Fork State Park and 8,236 acres under Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, for shale fracking. This move makes Egypt Valley the largest fracking project *under* (not on) state-owned land, despite vociferous public opposition from citizens and left-wing environmentalists. The next step in the process is to put the parcels out for bid. Read More “Ohio OKs Fracking Under 8,236 Acres of Egypt Valley Wildlife Area”
Butler County | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Laurel Mountain Energy | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Weekly Permits | West Virginia

11 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Mar 16 – 22
March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

The Marcellus/Utica region received a combined 11 new drilling permits last week, Mar. 16 – 22, down 6 from the 17 permits issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 10 of the permits. Ohio issued 1. And, West Virginia issued no new permits last week. The drillers who received new permits last week included EOG Resources, EQT, and Laurel Mountain Energy. Read More “11 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Mar 16 – 22”
Belmont County | Guernsey County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Regulation

Egypt Valley Wildlife Area Could Become OH’s Biggest Fracking Site
March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

An unidentified natural gas driller has applied to open over 8,300 additional acres of the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area for fracking, potentially making it Ohio’s largest fracking operation on public land. This request follows a January decision that already opened 4,400 acres of the 18,000-acre preserve, which is primarily used for conservation, hunting, and fishing. While the state’s Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) has historically favored industry requests despite significant public opposition, environmentalists and some Democratic lawmakers argue that the expansion exploits public resources and threatens local ecosystems. A public comment period remains open until April 27. Read More “Egypt Valley Wildlife Area Could Become OH’s Biggest Fracking Site”
Antero Resources | Belmont County | Energy Companies | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Industrywide Issues | INR/Infinity Natural Resources | M&A | Northern Oil & Gas | Ohio

INR & NOG Close on Purchase of Antero’s Ohio Utica Assets for $1.2B
February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

In December, Antero Resources announced a deal to sell its Ohio Utica assets to a partnership of Northern Oil & Gas (NOG) and Infinity Natural Resources (INR) for $1.2 billion in cash (see NOG & INR Partner to Buy Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica for $1.2B). The deal includes 71,000 net acres concentrated in Ohio’s Guernsey, Belmont, and Harrison counties, producing 133 MMcfe/d (81% gas, 19% liquids) from 255 laterals. The midstream (pipeline) part of the deal includes approximately 141 miles of wholly owned midstream gathering lines and approximately 90 miles of water lines. As of yesterday, the deal closed. INR now operates those assets. Read More “INR & NOG Close on Purchase of Antero’s Ohio Utica Assets for $1.2B”
Antero Resources | Arsenal Resources | Ascent Resources | Butler County | Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Doddridge County | Energy Companies | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Harrison County | HG Energy | Indiana County | INR/Infinity Natural Resources | JKLM Energy | Lewis County | Ohio | PennEnergy Resources | Pennsylvania | Ritchie County | Susquehanna County | Tioga County (PA) | Weekly Permits | West Virginia

43 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Feb 9 – 15
February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

The Marcellus/Utica region received a combined 43 new drilling permits last week, Feb. 9 – 15, up 19 from the permits issued two weeks ago. The most recent high in permits (going back at least a year) occurred during the first week of December, when 60 new permits were issued (see 60 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 1 – 7). A week with 43 permits is also significant, indicating an increase in drilling activity. Pennsylvania issued 25 new permits, Ohio issued 7, and West Virginia issued 11. The drillers receiving new permits last week included: Antero Resources, Arsenal Resources, Ascent Resources, Coterra Energy, HG Energy, Infinity Natural Resources, JKLM Energy, and PennEnergy Resources. Read More “43 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Feb 9 – 15”
Antero Resources | Belmont County | Energy Companies | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Industrywide Issues | INR/Infinity Natural Resources | M&A | Northern Oil & Gas | Ohio

NOG & INR Adjust Ownership Split of Antero’s Ohio Utica Assets
February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

In December, Antero Resources announced a deal to sell its Ohio Utica assets to a partnership of Northern Oil & Gas (NOG) and Infinity Natural Resources (INR) for $1.2 billion in cash (see NOG & INR Partner to Buy Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica for $1.2B). The deal includes 71,000 net acres concentrated in Ohio’s Guernsey, Belmont, and Harrison counties, producing 133 MMcfe/d (81% gas, 19% liquids) from 255 laterals. The midstream (pipeline) part of the deal includes approximately 141 miles of wholly owned midstream gathering lines and approximately 90 miles of water lines. Yesterday, NOG and INR announced that they are tweaking the arrangement, with INR boosting its ownership share in the deal from 51% to 60%. Read More “NOG & INR Adjust Ownership Split of Antero’s Ohio Utica Assets”
Arsenal Resources | Ascent Resources | Belmont County | Blackhill Energy | Bradford County | Energy Companies | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Infinity Natural Resources | Monroe County | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Taylor County | Weekly Permits | West Virginia | Wetzel County

24 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Feb 2 – 8
February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

The Marcellus/Utica region received a combined 24 new drilling permits last week, Feb. 2 – 8, up 2 from the permits issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 10 new permits, Ohio issued 10, and West Virginia issued 4. The drillers receiving new permits last week included: Arsenal Resources, Ascent Resources, Blackhill Energy, EQT, Expand Energy, and Infinity Natural Resources. Read More “24 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Feb 2 – 8”
Antero Resources | Ascent Resources | Belmont County | Bradford County | Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Doddridge County | Encino Energy | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Fayette County | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Gulfport Energy | Harrison County | Lycoming County | Marion County | Monongalia County | Monroe County | Northeast Natural Energy | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania General Energy | Susquehanna County | Tuscarawas County | Weekly Permits | West Virginia | Wetzel County

60 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 1 – 7
December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

After a pathetic showing two weeks ago (just 8 permits), last week was a barnstormer—the most permits we’ve seen issued in a single week since we’ve been chronicling permits here on MDN. But, there’s a catch. Last week’s report for the combined three states shows 60 (!) permits issued, with 22 going to Pennsylvania, 24 to Ohio, and 14 to West Virginia. However, Ohio’s numbers are inflated because the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) reported numbers last week that stretch back three weeks in time. You may recall Ohio didn’t issue permits for two weeks in a row. They actually issued permits but didn’t report them. So, this report includes 6 permits for the two missing weeks. Still, removing six from the total means 54 permits were issued last week, which remains a record high. Could the spike in the spot price for natural gas in the M-U be the reason? Read More “60 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 1 – 7”
Antero Resources | Belmont County | Energy Companies | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Industrywide Issues | INR/Infinity Natural Resources | M&A | Northern Oil & Gas | Ohio

NOG & INR Partner to Buy Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica for $1.2B
December 8, 2025December 22, 2025

The second round of big news coming from Antero Resources today is the sale of the company’s Utica Shale assets. We told you in November that Antero, the largest Marcellus/Utica (M-U) driller in West Virginia, officially began to market its Ohio Utica assets for sale (see Antero Returns to Dry Gas Drilling; Confirms Ohio Utica for Sale). They found a buyer (actually, buyers). Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NOG), a company that invests in non-operated oil and gas assets (they let others do the drilling), and Marcellus/Utica driller Infinity Natural Resources (INR) announced a partnership to purchase the Ohio Utica assets of Antero Resources Corporation and Antero Midstream Corporation for a combined purchase price of $1.2 billion in cash. Read More “NOG & INR Partner to Buy Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica for $1.2B”
Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Guernsey County | Industrywide Issues | Luzerne County | M&A | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Talen Energy

Talen Completes Purchase of M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH
November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

In July, MDN told you that Talen Energy, a leading energy producer in the U.S., which owns and operates approximately 10.7 gigawatts (GW) of power infrastructure, had announced the acquisition of two gas-fired power plants: one located near Wilkes-Barre in northeastern Pennsylvania, and the other in Guernsey County, in eastern Ohio (see Talen Energy Buys 2 M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH for $3.8B). These types of transactions require approval from the federal government. Last week, Talen announced that both FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and the DOJ (U.S. Department of Justice) had approved the transaction (see Talen Energy Gets Fed OK to Buy 2 M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH). And now, the deal is done. Read More “Talen Completes Purchase of M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH”
Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Guernsey County | Industrywide Issues | Luzerne County | M&A | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Talen Energy

Talen Energy Gets Fed OK to Buy 2 M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH
November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

In July, MDN told you that Talen Energy, a leading energy producer in the U.S., which owns and operates approximately 10.7 gigawatts (GW) of power infrastructure, had announced the acquisition of two gas-fired power plants: one located near Wilkes-Barre in northeastern Pennsylvania, and the other in Guernsey County, in eastern Ohio (see Talen Energy Buys 2 M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH for $3.8B). These types of transactions require approval from the federal government. Yesterday, Talen announced that both FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and the DOJ (U.S. Department of Justice) have approved the transaction. Read More “Talen Energy Gets Fed OK to Buy 2 M-U Gas-Powered Plants in PA, OH”
Ascent Resources | Belmont County | Bradford County | Butler County | Energy Companies | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | Harrison County | Lycoming County | Marshall County | Ohio | PennEnergy Resources | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania General Energy | Repsol | Seneca Resources | Tioga County (PA) | Weekly Permits | West Virginia

39 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Oct 20 – 26
October 31, 2025November 6, 2025

After the high number of new permits issued two weeks ago, we thought last week the new permit number would sink (fast) for sure. But no! For the week of October 20 – 26, the number of permits issued to drill new wells in the Marcellus/Utica *increased* from the previous week. There were 39 new permits issued across the three M-U states last week, up from the 37 issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 23 new permits last week, up from 19 the previous week. Ohio issued 11 permits, a slight decrease from 13 two weeks ago. And West Virginia issued 5 new permits, the same number as two weeks ago. Just, wow! Read More “39 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Oct 20 – 26”
Ascent Resources | Beaver County | Belmont County | Carroll County | Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Encino Energy | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Greene County (PA) | Guernsey County | JKLM Energy | Noble County | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Susquehanna County | Tioga County (PA) | Washington County | Weekly Permits

27 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Sep 22 – 28
October 3, 2025October 3, 2025

For the week of September 22 – 29, the number of permits issued to drill new wells in the Marcellus/Utica increased from the previous week. There were 27 new permits issued across the three M-U states last week, up three from 24 issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 18 permits in four counties. Ohio issued nine permits, also in four counties. West Virginia got skunked last week, issuing zero new permits. Read More “27 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Sep 22 – 28”