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Infinity Natural Resources Launches IPO, Hopes to Raise ~$250M

MDN reported in October that Marcellus/Utica driller Infinity Natural Resources (INR) intended to file an initial public offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Commission hoping to raise $100 million (see M-U Driller Infinity Natural Resources Files for $100 Million IPO). We further reported in December that INR added seven Big Banks to the existing list of four as underwriters (see Infinity Natural Resources Picks Up Another 7 Banks for Utica IPO). All signs pointed to an imminent launch of the IPO. That day is here. INR announced yesterday that it has launched an offering of 13.25 million shares of stock, hoping to fetch between $18.00 and $21.00 per share. Read More “Infinity Natural Resources Launches IPO, Hopes to Raise ~$250M”

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National Rig Count Whacked, Down 9 in Two Weeks; M-U Count Steady

After losing five rigs two weeks ago, the Baker Hughes national rig count lost another four last week. The number of rigs nationally now stands at 580, the lowest since Dec. 2021 (over three years ago). The Marcellus/Utica rig count was a combined 34 last week—the same number for five weeks in a row. PA has operated 15 rigs for the past ten weeks, with the exception of one week, when the number briefly increased to 16 rigs (the week ending on Dec. 6). OH has operated nine rigs for the past seven weeks, and WV has operated 10 rigs for an astonishing 19 weeks in a row, going back to Sep. 13. Read More “National Rig Count Whacked, Down 9 in Two Weeks; M-U Count Steady”

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Baker Hughes Nat’l Rig Count Loses 5, M-U Rig Count No Change

After remaining at the same level for five weeks in a row, the Baker Hughes U.S. rig count lost five rigs last week, dropping from 589 to 584. The Marcellus/Utica rig count was a combined 34 last week—the same number for five weeks in a row. PA has operated 15 rigs for the past nine weeks, with the exception of one week, when the number briefly increased to 16 rigs (the week ending on Dec. 6). OH has operated nine rigs for the past six weeks, and WV has operated 10 rigs for an astonishing 18 weeks in a row, going back to Sep. 13. Read More “Baker Hughes Nat’l Rig Count Loses 5, M-U Rig Count No Change”

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What May Be Ahead for M-U in 2025 & 2026: More Pipes, More M&A

The end of the year and the beginning of a new year are times when many publications reflect on what was and what may be. A recent article by Hart Energy’s Oil and Gas Investor magazine tackled the topic of what may lie ahead for the Marcellus/Utica region over the next couple of years. The article looked at two primary issues—the potential for more pipelines getting built within (and out of) our region and the likelihood of more mergers and acquisitions for drillers in our region. Read More “What May Be Ahead for M-U in 2025 & 2026: More Pipes, More M&A”

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5 PUCO Commissioners to Decide the Future of Data Centers in Ohio

Last fall, MDN began tracking the issue of who, ultimately, should pay to build out new electricity sources for data centers (and AI) that increasingly use huge amounts of power (see Big Tech and Big Utility Tangle in Ohio re Data Center Electricity and Big Tech Not Happy with OH Utility Counterproposal re Data Centers). A large utility company in central Ohio, AEP Ohio, is tangling with Big Tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and others, about the commitments those companies should make before it (AEP) will risk investing billions in bringing new power facilities (natgas, solar, wind, nukes, whatever) online. The battle lines are drawn. Each side made a proposal to the state Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Now, the five PUCO commissioners will sort through the proposals and pick a side. Read More “5 PUCO Commissioners to Decide the Future of Data Centers in Ohio”

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No Change in M-U, Nat’l Baker Hughes Rig Counts 2nd Week in a Row

The venerable Baker Hughes national rig count was 589 active rigs last week—which is FIVE weeks in a row. Very unusual. The Marcellus/Utica rig count was a combined 34 last week—the same number for FOUR weeks in a row. The national count remains rangebound between 581 and 589 since June 2024 (except for Sep. 13, when it hit 590 for a single week). The M-U remained static last week, with PA at 15 rigs, OH at 9 rigs, and WV at 10 rigs. Read More “No Change in M-U, Nat’l Baker Hughes Rig Counts 2nd Week in a Row”

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Register Support for M-U Hydrogen Hub at Scoping Hearing or Online

Last August, MDN told you that the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) officially received its first $30 million from the Bidenistas (see EQT & Others Enter “Phase 1” of Hydrogen Hub; DOE Cuts $30M Check). ARCH2 is getting $925 million from a $7 billion pot. ARCH2, one of seven projects to win approval, was selected specifically because it will use Marcellus/Utica shale gas as the feedstock to create hydrogen (so-called “blue” hydrogen). The project got an official HQ last year at the West Virginia University (WVU) Innovation Corp. center in Morgantown, West Virginia (see ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Gets an Official Headquarters in Morgantown, WV). Residents from WV, PA, and OH who want to register their concerns, opposition, or (most importantly) support for ARCH2 and the projects that are part of the plan can do so either at an online scoping hearing on Jan. 16 or by submitting comments via email (or in writing) by Mar. 3. Read More “Register Support for M-U Hydrogen Hub at Scoping Hearing or Online”

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Superlight Crude Production Takes Off in Eastern Ohio’s Utica Shale

Condensates the light-colored bottles on the left

We’ve been covering the emergence of Ohio Utica oil over the past couple of years (see our Utica oil stories here). Other news outlets are beginning to notice the oily Utica. The experts at RBN Energy published a post on Friday announcing, “Condensate Production Takes Off in Eastern Ohio’s Utica Shale.” Condensate is another word for superlight crude oil. The RBN post analyzes recent oil drilling in Ohio, the potential for more growth through the second half of the 2020s, and the impact of Ohio’s increasing oil output on Midwest midstreamers and refiners. Read More “Superlight Crude Production Takes Off in Eastern Ohio’s Utica Shale”

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No Change in Either M-U Or National Baker Hughes Rig Counts

This is an interesting pattern we’ve not seen in a long time for the venerable Baker Hughes rig count. The national rig count and the count for the Marcellus/Utica remained the same for multiple weeks in a row. The national count was 589 active rigs last week (now four weeks in a row). The M-U count was 34 last week (now three weeks in a row). The national count remains rangebound between 581 and 589 since June 2024 (except for Sep. 13, when it hit 590 for a single week). The M-U remained static last week, with PA at 15 rigs, OH at 9 rigs, and WV at 10 rigs. Read More “No Change in Either M-U Or National Baker Hughes Rig Counts”

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No Change in M-U Rig Count @ 34; No Change in Nat’l Rig Count @ 589

The Baker Hughes national rig count dramatically increased three weeks ago, adding seven rigs for a national count of 589 (see OH Drops 1, PA Adds 1 Rig; National Rig Count Soars, Adds 7 @ 589). For the past three weeks, we have held on to the gains made (still at 589), including last week. Note that the national count continues to be rangebound between 581 and 589 since June (except for Sep. 13, when it hit 590 for a single week). The Ohio Utica lost one rig three weeks ago, and the Pennsylvania Marcellus picked it up. Two weeks ago, PA lost the rig it picked up the week prior. Last week, nothing changed; the combined M-U count stands at 34 for two weeks in a row, with PA at 15 rigs, OH at 9 rigs, and WV at 10 rigs. Read More “No Change in M-U Rig Count @ 34; No Change in Nat’l Rig Count @ 589”

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Details for Surface Owners re Diversified Deal to Plug Wells

In November, MDN told you that Diversified Energy and EQT Corporation had settled a class action lawsuit originally brought by several West Virginia landowners (see EQT, Diversified Settle WV Class Action Lawsuit re Old Wells). Diversified and EQT are ponying up $3.25 million each ($6.5 million total) with requirements for Diversified to plug more wells on an advanced schedule in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Who, exactly, is affected by this settlement? A new court-ordered website provides some answers. Read More “Details for Surface Owners re Diversified Deal to Plug Wells”

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Antis Pressure OH Gov. to Veto Bill Extending Fracking of State Land

One week ago, MDN told you that Ohio House Bill (HB) 308 had passed votes by both the full House and Senate and was heading to the desk of RINO Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature (see OH Senate Passes Bill Extending Time Drillers Can Frack State Land). HB 308 extends the standard lease terms for drillers who want to drill under (not on) state-owned land from three to five years. The bill also extends the total amount of time fracking operations can last from six to eight years. Sensible increases in both cases. This morning, the radicals of Save Ohio Parks (and their friends) issued a press release demanding (notice the left always demands) that Gov. DeWine veto the bill. Because they say so. Read More “Antis Pressure OH Gov. to Veto Bill Extending Fracking of State Land”

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Ohio Utica Shale Attracted $108 Billion Investment by End of 2023

JobsOhio, a private, nonprofit corporation that works on behalf of the state to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio by attracting business, contracts out economic research to Cleveland State University (CSU) to keep tabs on the Utica Shale industry. JobsOhio released the latest CSU updated report yesterday (full copy below), showing that more than $108 billion has been invested in Ohio across natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petrochemical supply chain industries since 2011. Massive! Read More “Ohio Utica Shale Attracted $108 Billion Investment by End of 2023”

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Return of the Wildcatters – Utica Oil Drillers Grow Organically

Oil wildcatting is the process of drilling exploratory wells in areas with little to no history of oil and gas production. Wildcatting is a high-risk activity that involves drilling in unproven or fully depleted areas. Wildcat wells are often drilled far from other wells and without the use of well logs or other geological data. Wildcatting can be profitable—or spectacularly unprofitable. A recent Hart Energy article reports that “wildcatting is back.” The very first part of the article focuses on wildcatting that is happening in the Ohio Utica Shale. Read More “Return of the Wildcatters – Utica Oil Drillers Grow Organically”

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Infinity Natural Resources Picks Up Another 7 Banks for Utica IPO

MDN reported that in early October that Infinity Natural Resources (INR) filed an IPO with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hoping to raise $100 million (see M-U Driller Infinity Natural Resources Files for $100 Million IPO). Citigroup, Raymond James, and RBC Capital Markets were the original Big Bank underwriters. At the end of November, INR added another seven Big Banks to the list as underwriters. Read More “Infinity Natural Resources Picks Up Another 7 Banks for Utica IPO”

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PA Drops 1 Rig, M-U @ 34; National Rigs Keep Gains, Even @ 589

The Baker Hughes national rig count dramatically increased two weeks ago, adding seven rigs for a national count of 589 (see OH Drops 1, PA Adds 1 Rig; National Rig Count Soars, Adds 7 @ 589). Last week, the national count didn’t change, and we are holding on to the gains made the previous week (still at 589). Note that the national count continues to be rangebound between 581 and 589 since June (except for Sep. 13, when it hit 590 for a single week). Two weeks ago, the Ohio Utica lost one rig, and the Pennsylvania Marcellus picked it up. However, last week, PA lost the rig once again, so the combined M-U count now stands at 34, down one rig from the previous week. Read More “PA Drops 1 Rig, M-U @ 34; National Rigs Keep Gains, Even @ 589”