OOGA Show Report – Growth in the Utica Shale

Earlier this week I attended the Ohio Oil & Gas Association’s (OOGA) Oilfield Expo 2012 in Cleveland. This show was extremely well attended for a regional show, with approximately 3,000 attendees and at least 250 exhibitors displaying things like actual drilling rigs, frac equipment and other heavy equipment. The attendance was more than double last year’s turnout in Canton. Presentations included an update on drilling regulations from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and an analysis of Utica Shale potential from Halliburton. Oilfield companies began prospecting the Utica Shale in 2010. During the past two years, companies have drilled 188 horizontal wells, with 45 of those wells currently producing oil and gas, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources records. As wells begin producing, drilling companies are bragging. Chesapeake, EnerVest and Gulfport all touted high production numbers at the show. According to OOGA officials, “That enthusiasm is why so many people took time to support this event this year.”