Five Marcellus Shale Gas Wells Planned For ANF Lands

More Hellbender News

July 2, 2010

By Cathy Pedler, Forest Watch Coordinator

Documents from a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Allegheny Defense Project (ADP) show that there are currently plans for five Marcellus Shale gas wells on the public lands of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).

Three of the wells are planned by East Resources (Royal Dutch Shell) including,

1) one well in the Glad Run watershed,

2) a well on FR 444 in the Chaffee Run watershed (headwaters of the South Branch Of Tionesta Creek), and

3) one well in the Log Run watershed (East Branch of Millstone Creek).

Pennsylvania General Energy is planning

4) one well on Coalbed Run.

Hanley & Bird is planning

5) one well on Pine Run (headwaters of Big Mill Creek).

In addition to these five wells there are nine wells in the footprint of the ANF on private in-holdings or on State Gamelands (i.e., No. 28, and No. 24). There are a total of 92 Marcellus Shale gas wells in the four county area of the ANF, including Warren, Forest, McKean, and Elk counties. The image on the right links to a map that plots the Marcellus Shale gas well drilling sites with well and company data. This map also shows some of the water withdrawal locations for Pennsylvania Energy (PGE) and Seneca Resources (AKA National Fuel Gas).

The Elk State Forest has been hit hard by Marcellus Shale gas well drilling with 16 wells on this forest's state public land. The table below illustrates company operation, location, and numbers of well permits.

ADP will be conducting a file review at the Northwest Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of all of the water withdrawal points for companies operating in northwestern Pennsylvania. Please join us for the July 8, 2010 file review!