Experts Not Optimistic About Utica Shale Drilling In Central Pa

Despite impressive production from Marcellus Shale drilling operations in the northern Alleghenies, analysts said that new studies show deeper formations are not expected to produce usable natural gas from local drilling sites.

Penn State University geosciences professor Terry Engelder told WJAC-TV on Thursday that new geology studies show that Utica Shale drilling operations are expected to be much more successful in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio than in the Alleghenies.

"I don't hold out much hope for this area of the country being a rich Utica deposit,” said Engelder. "Between Johnstown and north of here in Snow Shoe; even though the Marcellus is very productive, the Utica is just enough deeper and was subjected to just enough higher pressure that it is unlikely to be economic."

Engelder said Marcellus Shale drilling operations in the northern Alleghenies hasn’t been progressing as quickly as programs in the northeast and southwest corners of the state, due to the lack of high-pressure pipeline infrastructure.

"The Marcellus is so large that the industry just can't exploit the entire Marcellus all at once,” said Engelder.