Energy Company Drilling Two Wells In Coudersport Borough

Penn Virginia Corporation is drilling two wells in Coudersport Borough, another sign of increased activity as energy companies go after gas deposits held deep underground in the Marcellus Shale formation. Location of the wells is the Niles Hill area. The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), which issued the drilling permits, refers to the sites as Northeast Timberlands A 1H and A 2H. Local photographer Curt Weinhold found a strategic location in the Ross Glen area where his camera could pick up both the courthouse statue of justice and a bright drilling rig on Niles Hill. Penn Virginia is also drilling three wells in Allegany Township, north of Coudersport, two on the Risser farm and a third on the Dunn farm.

Penn Virginia is one of the bigger players in the region, with ambitious plans for gas production in townships surrounding Coudersport, including a major lease of state forest land. The company submitted the high bid of $13.9 million on 3,640 acres in Eulalia and Roulette townships. The state will also receive 18 percent of production royalties. During the same round of state forest land leasing, Seneca Resources of Houston, Texas, was high bidder on 7,440 acres between Denton Hill and Fox Hill, offering $23.3 million.