The Marcellus Shale | January 2022

Field Overview

The Marcellus Shale is the largest gas play onshore in the US. Located in the Northeast, it supplies the high-demand markets along the East Coast. Most of the basin’s gas is produced through unconventional methods, while the little oil produced is mostly by conventional means. Some of the top formations include the Onondaga and the Huntersville.

State Drilling Statistics

Active Drilling Rigs in Basin- 34 (+5)
Total Rigs in Pennsylvania- 19 (+4)
Total Rigs in United States- 610 (+ 24)
Total U.S. Rigs 59% YTD

State Permitting Data
Permits Approved – 85

Marcellus Top Producers
Top Producer By BOE – Chesapeake

Basin Highlights

Spain’s Repsol to Buy Rockdale Marcellus Assets in $222 Million Bankruptcy Sale

34 permits for wells were issued in November 2021, the lowest amount since November 2008, nearly 13 years prior. The shale boom of 2010 peaked in December with a Repsol, a top operator in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus, acquired $222 million worth of assets from the dying Rockdale Marcellus as well as $2 million in debt.  Rockdales 48,000 gross acres are located in the Marcellus shale and have been producing 110 MMcf/d. Rockdale was originally formed when they took over Shell’s Marcellus assets, however, that is all coming to an end with their filing for bankruptcy and Repsol’s takeover.

UGI to Acquire Stonehenge Appalachia Gas Gathering System for $190 Million

The fight to be on top of the natural gas game in the Marcellus continues as the UGI Corporation acquires the Stonehenge Appalachia natural gas gathering system for about $190 million. UGI deals mainly in midstream production, acquiring and investing in natural gas pipelines and associated compression assets. The recent Stonehenge deal  adds 47 miles of infrastructure to their portfolio in the Appalachian basin and will close January 31.

Shell Says PA Ethane Cracker 80% Done, Looking for Perm Workers

Monaca, Pennsylvania is home to the new Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex which will turn shale gas into ethane. Construction is said to be 80% complete, employing approximately 8,000 workers each day. Upon completion the plant will only require about 600 permanent workers to run and manage the plant. Shell is currently on the lookout for people to fill all the roles. 

Operators with Most Permits in PA

Top Producers By Gas

Change	Rank	Company	Gas Production (MMscf) (12/21)
+1	1	Chesapeake	1101.6
	2	Coterra Energy	911.3
	3	Range Resources	701.1
-3	4	EQT	686.9
	5	Rice Drilling	560.2

Rig Count

PA Oil Production

PA Natural Gas Production

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PETRO Engineering, PLLC via the following sources unless otherwise
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www.eia.gov
www.drillinginfo.com
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