Gas Drillers Eye Other Deep Formations

Marcellus Shale exploration may be just the beginning

Marcellus Shale Examiner

While the rush is on to drill in the Marcellus Shale formation, eager natural gas exploration firms are now looking to tap into other deep geologic formations.

DEP has received about 20 permit applications—most arriving in the past two months—to tap into the Burket, Helderberg, Mandata, Rhinestreet and Utica formations.

Companies like EOG Resources, Cabot Oil and Gas, Range Resources, PGE, East Resources, and Seneca Resources have applied for permits to explore these formations in Bradford, Lycoming, Lawrence, Potter, Susquehanna and Washington counties.