Posts tagged "shale gas"

The Sunday Shale Show: Leonard Stevens, President, Minority Business Associaton

Sunday, June 9th, 2013 | 0 Comments

For The Sunday Shale Show this week, Energy In Depth sat down with Mr. Leonard Stevens, President of the Minority Business Association. Located in Stark County, the MBA provides workshops, membership directory and a revolving loan fund to help start-up businesses.

“You have to think outside of the box” – Leonard Stevens, President, Minority Business Association (4:05)

As Mr. Stevens acknowledged, there is great potential in the future development of our state’s shale deposits, and its potential is recognized worldwide, with more and more interest and investment coming in to the Buckeye State.

For this reason, the Minority Business Association and other organizations (like Energy In Depth) have placed a priority on educating the public about the industry, its practices, and the incredible benefits this continued development will bring for Ohio’s workforce and its communities.

Energy In Depth thanks Mr. Stevens for his efforts, and for joining us on The Sunday Shale Show. We look forward to continuing to work with those working directly or indirectly with the oil and gas industry to provide in-depth analysis of what’s taking place in Ohio (and beyond), and what it means for our communities and our state.

Stay tuned for The Sunday Shale Show next week!

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Tags: Crude Oil, EID, Hydraulic fracturing, MBA, Minority Business Association, natural gas, Ohio, Shale, shale gas, Stark County, The Sunday Shale Show, Utica

Minority Business Association Connects With Shale Industry

Friday, June 7th, 2013 | 0 Comments

This week in the heart of Ohio’s Utica Shale play some folks from the oil and gas industry held a joint event with the Minority Business Association in Stark County (aka the Utica Capital). The purpose was to discuss connecting the growing natural gas industry with the strong and diverse minority-owned businesses of Stark  County. The idea for this meeting came from a meeting between API and the Stark County Oil and Gas Partnership. The idea being the oil and gas industry continuing to reach out and make connections in local communities all around Ohio. Connecting with the MBA is a great example of that effort.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Canton’s own Ron Ponder, who is well-known in the community due to his long-standing  popular radio show.

“There is a lot of information but not just information but a lot of opportunity” – Ron Ponder (0:11)

After Mr. Ponder’s opening comments, Rhonda Reda, Executive Director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program, took the stage to provide what she calls an “Oil and Gas 101,” covering topics like terminology, technology and the history of Ohio’s industry. Rhonda always grabs and holds everyone’s attention due to her wealth of knowledge and engaging personality. She also has the amazing ability to break down a complex, science-based topic to help the general public get a better understanding and working knowledge of the industry.

Following Rhonda, Energy In Depth stepped up to the microphone to explain the supply chain. The first step in finding a niche for your company in the supply chain is understanding how various elements work together.  EID mapped out the supply chain from exploration companies like BP and Chesapeake to oilfield services companies like Halliburton and Weatherford — all the way down to well pad servicing companies, which is where most local small businesses can find room in the supply chain. Services like excavating, water hauling, landscaping, safety clothing, fuel, tools and other hardware are all places where local businesses can and indeed do benefit.

Next to the podium was Rebecca Heimlich of API and Penny Seipel of OOGA. These presenters discussed the purpose and scope of their respective organizations, as well as the importance of networking opportunities for their members.

Mike Battles of Woolpert and Ron Wilkof of Ron’s Working Man also took the opportunity relay their personal stories about navigating the supply chain in order to become vendors and contractors with the oil and gas industry.

The presenters helped the audience understand the importance of networking and understanding the supply chain, and gave real life scenarios of getting involved in the industry in the process.  As development continues, more Ohio based companies are going to be needed to fill the increasing workload of these operators, but companies need to understand how and where they fit into industry.  That is why this outreach is so important.

Companies will need to learn the oil and gas business to see how their business fits in the supply chain.  With patience and perseverance, those looking to grow their businesses and get involved with the industry will have great success.

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Tags: API, Canton, Crude Oil, EID, Hydraulic fracturing, Minority Business Association, natural gas, OOGEEP, Shale, shale gas, Stark County, Utica capital

Ohio State Medical Association Debunks Public Comments About Disclosure

Monday, May 20th, 2013 | 0 Comments

One of the most pervasive claims made about shale development has to do with disclosure — namely, that the industry is withholding information from medical professionals about additives used during hydraulic fracturing. This has been advanced by the likes of Ohio Citizens Action, a vocal anti-development group, as well as a handful of other individuals that are actively trying to confuse the public about this issue.

More specifically, these folks claim that doctors do not have adequate access to the information needed to evaluate and treat patients if an accident were to happen on or near a well pad site. Their goal, of course, is to spread fear, doubt, and misinformation about something very technical and vast in its scope. In this case they count on the fact that few in the general public have read, in its entirety, the 175-page document known as Senate Bill 315 that covers topics like chemical disclosure.

Against that backdrop, it’s worth noting what the leadership of The Ohio State Medical Association recently did: they sent a letter to the members of the Ohio General Assembly saying, essentially, that such claims are garbage.

Senate Bill 315, which was passed in 2012, clearly spells out that first responders and other medical professionals have total access to additives used during the hydraulic fracturing process. In fact, Ohio has always been a full disclosure state, through the fracturing ticket and fracturing chart associated with each individual producing oil and gas well in Ohio.  Senate Bill 315 expanded the disclosure requirements. Additionally, the industry is using FracFocus to share with anyone interested what chemicals are used to produce natural gas in our state, as well as the other 33 producing states in the country.

The letter from OSMA, which represents over 20,000 Ohio physicians, residents, medical students, and practice managers, explained that they are well aware of the fact that, as doctors and medical professionals, they have full access to a list of additives used during the hydraulic fracturing process.

The following Ohio State Medical Association letter has been reprinted in its entirety:

April 18, 2013

The Honorable Keith Faber

President

Ohio Senate

Statehouse

Columbus, OH 43215

Dear President Faber:

I am writing to clarify a statement issued by Ohio Citizen Action on Wednesday, April 17, which purports to capture the Ohio State Medical Association’s position on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, chemicals and the medical profession’s right-to-know.

It is true that on Saturday, April 6 during a business session at our Annual Meeting in Columbus that our members considered Resolution No. 41-13 which called for certain requirements and stipulations for fracking chemicals that extend beyond current state law.

However, by a unanimous voice vote, our members ultimately approved only this five-line passage from the 70-line resolution (not including footnotes):

Resolved, That the Ohio State Medical Association advocate for provisions in Ohio state law that would allow doctors, first responders, emergency agencies, and the Local Emergency Planning Commission in each county to obtain the needed information on all chemicals located at an oil or gas exploration well pad, including hydraulic fracturing.

We believe the portion of the Resolution that was supported by our House of Delegates on April 6 is in line with Senate Bill 315 (specifically Sec. 1509.10), the measure pertaining to medical professionals gaining access to chemical compositions used during fracking operations to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients who may have been exposed to such chemicals. We believe this existing law affords a physician the right-to-know in a confidential manner when necessary what fracking chemicals are present.

The remainder of the OSMA Resolution requiring fracking companies to report all chemicals — including trade secret chemicals — to the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC), allowing physicians and other medical professionals access to this LEPC information and fining companies for not properly reporting chemicals were referred to the OSMA Council for further consideration. These provisions were not voted on during the Annual Meeting and these provisions are not currently part of any OSMA stipulations, guidelines or expectations beyond what is already required by state law.

The OSMA Council could address the remainder of this Resolution at a later date. At this point, this issue is not a high-priority matter for the OSMA and that is not expected to change unless directed by the Council. The OSMA’s highest immediate legislative priorities remain the state budget, Medicaid expansion, health insurer accountability and medical liability reforms.

If I can provide any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Tim Maglione, JD

Senior Director, Government Relations

The Ohio State Medical Association jumped into the conversation about hydraulic fracturing because, as medical professionals, they know how important it is that the facts and science are presented.  A person is certainly entitled to his or her personal opinion, but not to his or her own facts.

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Tags: Crude Oil, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, Ohio, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio State Medical Association, shale gas, Utica, Utica Shale

V&M Anchors Economic Revival of Route 422

Monday, May 13th, 2013 | 0 Comments

Call it the comeback of the century.  Thanks in large part to Utica shale development, the blue-collar, hard-working, never-say-die Youngstown is making steel again. Folks have heard this over the last two years, but what some might not know is that while the $1.1 billion V&M Star plant is huge, the facility could actually be the anchor for the rebirth and growth of what is being called the Route 422 ”Economic Gateway.”

According to this morning’s Youngstown Vindicator, there are several agencies serving the local area that are combining efforts and resources to revitalize this industrial corridor.  They are the Trumbull County Planning Commission, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, as well as the cities of Girard and Youngstown.  They are sharing information and resources to study the potential growth along U.S. Route 422.

“We want to create an economic gateway off Interstate 80 that will compliment V&M, we want to see other capital investments and other capital businesses.” –Tom Humphries, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber (Study hopes to highlight growth potential along U.S. Route 422, 5/13/13)

The goal is a comprehensive redevelopment plan, which includes an economic research study focused along Route 422. More specifically, the study would assess how a largely industrial landscape adjacent to distressed neighborhoods with vacant lots, blighted housing and high rates of poverty could once again become a vibrant, business-friendly gateway for new and expanding businesses. While some projects have already helped spur new economic growth in the region, such as road widening and bridge improvements, there is much more to do — including taking stock of what land parcels are along the roadway, who owns them and what if anything are they being used for.

Beyond the study, roadway improvements, and new steel mills, it is also sending a strong and clear message about being business friendly.  That’s why it was so important that the ill-advised charter amendment be defeated, sending the message that Youngstown is open for business.

But this is more than just raw economic growth and all of the jobs that come along with those types of investments. It’s a revival of home town pride. It’s a perfect encapsulation of this “knocked down but not out” kind of town.  Youngstown, Girard, Warren and other towns did not get where they are overnight, but rather over time and through hard work.

Ohio’s oil and gas industry has a role to play in this rebirth, too — a big one, in fact.  And again, it’s not just about bringing new jobs to the region, although that’s certainly happened. It’s also about being a good neighbor. For example, BP — which is about to explore its first 10 wells in the area — recently donated food to two Warren food kitchens and gave $50,000 to the STEM programs in Trumbull County.  That’s why such a diverse coalition of groups has embraced responsible shale development in Ohio, and it’s why support for shale development exceeds opposition in Ohio by an astounding 2-1 margin.

Stay tuned for the release and analysis of the economic study of Route 422.

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Tags: Crude Oil, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, Route 422, Shale, shale gas, Trumbull County Planning Commission, V&M, Youngstown, Youngstown Chamber

The Sunday Shale Show: Guest David Gardner, Area Manager, TSI

Sunday, May 12th, 2013 | 0 Comments

For The Sunday Shale Show this week, Energy in Depth sat down with Mr. David Gardner, Area Manager, TSI. Established in 1996, TSI is an accomplished engineering and construction firm offering complete services in engineering, design, procurement, project management, and construction for the domestic and international oil and gas industry.

“What you are going to see in the next couple of years with regards to the economy is, at least in my opinion, the ancillary support services, the mom and pop restaurants, the hotels, the gas stations, the impact that is going to have on this neighboring communities is going to be astounding”. – David Gardner, TSI (5:40)

As Mr. Gardner acknowledged, there is great potential in the future development of our state’s shale deposits, and its potential is recognized worldwide, with more and more interest and investment coming in to the Buckeye State.

For this reason, TSI and other organizations (like Energy in Depth) have placed a priority on educating the public about the industry, its practices, and the incredible benefits this continued development will bring for Ohio’s workforce and its communities.

Energy in Depth thanks Mr. Gardner for his efforts, and for joining us on The Sunday Shale Show. We look forward to continuing to work with those working directly or indirectly with the oil and gas industry to provide in-depth analysis of what’s taking place in Ohio (and beyond), and what it means for our communities and our state.

Stay tuned for The Sunday Shale Show next week!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube !

Tags: Crude Oil, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, Ohio, Shale, shale gas, The Sunday Shale Show, TSI

Down Home Folks Get Down To The Facts in Portage

Thursday, May 9th, 2013 | 0 Comments

Last night at the Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna, Portage County, a public forum was held to address concerns, answer questions and provide information to the public on Utica shale development.  The event drew about 50 people who learned about the history of the oil and gas industry in Ohio, the oil and gas production process and the economic and energy security opportunities associated with Ohio’s shale development. Energy in Depth was proud to moderate and our team enjoyed interacting with our neighbors and friends in Portage County.

The first speaker was Rhonda L. Reda. Ms. Reda serves as Executive Director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program and the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Foundation. She helped form the organization in 1997. Prior to OOGEEP, Ms. Reda served as Vice President of Internal Affairs and Public Information for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association for more than a decade. She knows a thing or two about oil and natural gas production as she’s worked in the industry for more than twenty-five years.

Rhonda discussed the history of the industry and how crude oil and natural gas provides thousands of products we use in our  everyday lives.

The second speaker was David R. Hill. Mr. Hill is President of David R. Hill, Inc., which is an oil and natural gas producer in Ohio and West Virginia. He graduated from Muskingum College in 1980, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Geology. Mr. Hill is Vice President of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association and is a past Chairman of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association Energy Education Program. Mr. Hill has served under Governors Taft, Strickland, and Kasich on the State of Ohio Technical Advisory Council and has been a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologist for 31 years.

David talked about the process of developing an oil and gas well and the state regulations that are enforced during the entire process of production. David also discussed waste water disposal and class II injection wells and explained what an injection well is and why we use them.

“The water that we inject into the ground in Ohio represents 1/2 of 1% of all of the water that is injected in the United States.” — David Hill (1:19)

This educational forum was co-sponsored by Lakeside Sand and Gravel, Therm-O-Link, Kimble Companies, the Ohio Energy Resource Alliance, and the Ohio Shale Coalition. These are local companies that are seeing a direct benefit from the exploration and production of Utica shale resources. Since Energy in Depth is an active part of the Ohio Energy Resource Alliance it is important to be present in communities all across Ohio talking about oil and gas development with co-sponsors like these local businesses.

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Tags: Crude Oil, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, Oil and Gas industry, OOGEEP, portage county, Shale, shale gas

The Sunday Shale Show: Guest, Scott Smith, P.E., Environmental Resources Management

Sunday, May 5th, 2013 | 0 Comments

For The Sunday Shale Show this week, Energy in Depth sat down with Mr. Scott Smith, a professional engineer with Environmental Resources Management (ERM). ERM has over 5,000 employees working in 39 countries. In Ohio, ERM hosts two separate locations in Cleveland and Cincinnati that work on shale development.   The Cleveland operations has 13 staff members while the Cincinnati operations has 25 employees.

 I defiantly see this being a wave that will create more jobs in Ohio and produce more opportunities for our company, our business. – Scott Smith, ERM (3:57)

As Mr. Smith acknowledged, there is great potential in the future development of our state’s shale deposits, and its potential is recognized worldwide, with more and more interest and investment coming in to the Buckeye State.

For this reason, ERM and other organizations (like Energy in Depth) have placed a priority on educating the public about the industry, its practices, and the incredible benefits this continued development will bring for Ohio’s workforce and its communities.

Energy in Depth thanks Mr. Smith for his efforts, and for joining us on The Sunday Shale Show. We look forward to continuing to work with those working directly or indirectly with the oil and gas industry to provide in-depth analysis of what’s taking place in Ohio (and beyond), and what it means for our communities and our state.

Stay tuned for The Sunday Shale Show next week!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube !

Tags: Crude Oil, Environmental Resources Management, ERM, natural gas, Ohio, Scott Smith, Shale, shale gas, The Sunday Shale Show, Utica Shale

Hickory Bend Investment Could Reach $1B

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 | 0 Comments

As many have heard, an important project is underway in Springfield Township in southern Mahoning County:  $300 million is being spent on the Hickory Bend gas gathering and processing project, which is being developed by NiSource Midstream Services LLC and Hilcorp Energy’s joint venture, Pennant Midstream LLC.  NiSource is mainly responsible for infrastructure development and Hilcorp will work on exploration and production.  The project includes a $150 million cryogenic processing plant, and an additional $150 million in pipelines that will extend from western Pennsylvania to Mahoning and Columbiana counties in Ohio.

NiSource COO Chad Zamarin came to the Mahoning Valley this week to meet with local officials and reporters, revealing the project could see even more investment in the next few years:

“We believe our initial $300 million project has the potential over the next few years to be $1 billion worth of investment in this very footprint” —Chad Zamarin (NiSource Exec: $300M Gas Project Could Grow to $1B, 5/1/13)

You read that right — $1 billion. Foreseeing the need for more infrastructure, NiSource is preparing the site for future investment, as Zamarin explained:

“We’re developing an area that will allow for multiple plants to be sited. When we do come back and expand the location, it can be done at very little impact” —Chad Zamarin (NiSource Exec: $300M Gas Project Could Grow to $1B, 5/1/13)

He also stated that 200 local excavators, operating engineers, and laborers are preparing the site for the new plant. Translation: hundreds of new jobs. As work continues, he said the number of local contractors and members from the building trades could grow to around 1,000.  As the project grows, so will the need for workers:

“We’ve found an incredibly talented work force. The trades and the unions are working with us on training and development programs so that by the time we get ready to do work, the folks are ready to hit the ground running.” —Chad Zamarin (NiSource Exec: $300M Gas Project Could Grow to $1B, 5/1/13)

The cryogenic plant’s construction should begin in June. Zamarin said within 12 months, the plant should be installed and in service.  The plant will chill natural gas to separate wet gas from dry gas. The dry gas will then be pumped into natural gas lines, while the wet gas will go to a fractionation plant.

Of course, NiSource isn’t new to the Mahoning Valley, and the company will continue to operate as a good neighbor. They’ve already paved two roads in the area and, as a means of reducing emissions, will run the plant on electricity rather than diesel fuel.  Through Columbia Gas, of which NiSource is a parent company, Zamarin explained that the company’s pipelines “have been in this area for over 100 years.”

Projects like Hickory Bend show Ohio’s Utica Shale is not to be overlooked, and the local impact of development can be — and indeed typically is — quite significant. When a company is considering spending $1 billion in a concentrated area, other investment will no doubt follow. The communities benefit from increased revenue and economic activity, and all Ohioans benefit from a plethora of new jobs. More headlines like this are sure to come!

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Tags: Columbiana County, EID-Ohio, Energy In Depth, Energy in Depth - Ohio, Energy jobs, Hickory Bend, Hilcorp Energy, Labor, Mahoning County, Mahoning Valley, natural gas, NiSource, Ohio, Pennant Midstream, Shale, shale gas, Utica Shale

Utica Shale: By The Numbers For April

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 | 0 Comments

Building on strong numbers from the first quarter of 2013, Utica Shale development in the second quarter of 2013 has been taking off in Ohio. Of course, we see headlines each week in newspapers all over the Buckeye state indicating new jobs, investments, and opportunities thanks to increased oil and natural gas production, so this shouldn’t really surprise anyone.  And while development is good news for getting Ohio back on track, it is equally important to understand where Utica Shale development is helping boost Ohio’s economy.

To date, there have been 627 permits issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for wells in the Utica/Point Pleasant geological formation. Of those 627 permitted wells, 310 of them have been developed, and 89 of those are in production.

Thus far, Utica Shale permits have been issued in the following 22 counties (updated county numbers in bold):

• Ashland -1
• Belmont – 22
• Carroll – 249
• Columbiana – 68
• Coshocton – 5
• Geauga – 1
• Gurnsey – 34
• Harrison – 80
• Holmes – 3
• Jefferson – 33
• Knox – 2
• Mahoning – 17
• Medina – 1
• Monroe – 27
• Muskingum – 3
• Noble – 32
• Portage – 14
• Stark – 13
• Trumbull – 4
• Tuscarawas – 13
• Washington – 4
• Wayne – 1

All of these permits have been provided to 27 companies that are developing Ohio’s shale resources (updated permit numbers in bold):

• Anadarko E&P Company LP – 12
• Antero Res Appalachian Corp – 22
• Atlas Noble – 5
• BP – 1
• Carrizo Utica LLC – 3
• Chesapeake Appalachia LLC – 6
• Chesapeake Exploration LLC – 394
• Chevron Appalachia LLC – 4
• CNX Gas Company LLC – 22
• Devon Energy Production Co - 13
• Eclipse Resources LP – 1
• Enervest Operating LLC - 16
• EQT Production Company – 3
• Gulfport Energy corporation – 47
• Halcon Operating Company Inc. – 3
• Hall Drilling – 1
• Hess Ohio Develop. LLC – 11
• Hess Ohio Resources LLC – 7
• HG Energy LLC – 16
• Hilcorp Energy Company – 3
• Mountaineer Keystone LLC – 7
• Petroleum Development Corp – 5
• R E Gas Development LLC – 13
• Sierra Resources LLC – 3
• Swepi LP – 1
• Triad Hunter – 3
• XTO Energy Inc. – 5

While still very early in its development, the Utica Shale is already showing some very exciting results. The best part is that this development, and the jobs and revenue that come with it, has occurred without a single environmental violation.  That successful track record is due to the diligence of companies operating in the state and Ohio’s strong regulations put forward in Senate Bill 315, the bi-partisan update to those regulations.

Thanks to our natural resources, the public commitment of these companies, a strong regulatory foundation, and the billions of dollars being invested from development, there is a renewed sense of optimism in Ohio thanks to the Utica Shale.

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Tags: April, Crude Oil, Energy In Depth, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, ODNR, Ohio Oil and Gas, permits, producing, shale gas, Utica Shale, wells, wet gas

A Clear Majority of Ohioans Support Utica Shale Development

Thursday, April 25th, 2013 | 0 Comments

Tags: Crude Oil, Energy In Depth, Hydraulic fracturing, natural gas, Ohio, Poll, Quinnipiac, Shale, shale gas, Utica Shale