Utica Shale Drilling Permits Surpass Expectations for 2013

The State of Ohio issued nearly than double the amount of Utica shale drilling permits than first expected for 2013. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources initially predicted that it would issue 525 permits for 2013. According to ODNR’s most recent report, the State has issued 1015 permits. An industry spokesman says that the higher than expected increase reflects the interest in exploring the Utica shale’s oil and gas reserves. The permits were issued to 30 different companies operating in Eastern Ohio.