Pipeline Construction Holds Promise for Oil and Gas in Ohio

In November 2014 the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership sponsored "Pipeline 101," a conference that showcased how the oil and gas industry, and the pipelines that serve it, represent the backbone for economic growth in Ohio, Michigan and the surrounding region.

The topic remains timely, as evidenced by the announcement earlier this month that Kinder Morgan was moving forward with plans to build a 240-mile pipeline across Ohio. If approved, the pipeline will create as many as 1,000 jobs and, when complete, will be used to transport propane and ethane to Canada. 

According to an article in the Canton Repository, "The $500 million pipeline will have an initial capacity of 50,000 barrels per day of ethane or an ethane-propane mix. The two byproducts of natural gas production are valued in plastics production."

The company must first apply for permits from state and federal regulators before beginning work on the pipeline, which will start in Cadiz and stretch through parts of Carroll, Tuscarawas and Stark counties before crossing the state line into Michigan just west of Toledo.

Kinder Morgan didn't stop there. Before the month was over, the company had bypassed the uncertain credit markets by going directly to banks to refinance—to the tune of $1 billion—its maturing debt. The financing will enable the company to move forward with its various growth projects, including the Utopia East pipeline here in Ohio.

Meanwhile, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will sponsor a public hearing in February on a proposed air permit for a Medina County compressor station for the $2 billion Nexus natural gas pipeline. The pipeline, with a proposed construction timeline beginning in 2017, would stretch for 255 miles and pass through Stark, Summit, Wayne and Medina Counties in Northeast Ohio.

The ongoing construction of pipelines here and in other parts of the country are projects to watch. They will serve to create jobs and bolster local economies as the oil and gas industry continues to weather to downturn that hit especially hard in 2015. 

The Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership promotes the growth and economic impact of the oil and gas industry in Stark County and Carroll County, Ohio.

Reviewing 2015: An Advocate for Oil & Gas in Stark and Carroll Counties

It was another "eventful" year!

The Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership hosted four more great events in 2015. We continue to advocate for responsible oil and gas exploration and for the use of local labor. 

Our conferences have been headlined by industry experts, providing important oil and gas updates to business and civic leaders, while our golf outing and sporting clays championships helped raise revenue in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendly competition. 

Watch for another great schedule of events in 2016. We look forward to having you join us as we support the oil and gas industry in Stark and Carroll counties! 

Text appeared in the January edition of ShaleMart magazine (right).

A Summary of Issues and Trends Looking to 2016

Despite the recent slowdown in the oil and gas industry, particularly in Ohio, there are still reasons to be excited about the future. As 2016 dawns, let's take a look at what's trending.

Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, joined the chorus of voices supporting Congress and President Obama in lifting the '70s-era crude export ban.

"This is the start of a new era for U.S. energy," he said. "Ending the decades-old ban on crude exports is a huge win for consumers, jobs, the economy and our energy security."

Gerard said the move would make the U.S. more competitive and would benefit consumers, citing studies indicating that lifting the ban would lower gas prices by up to 12 cents per gallon.

The complete statement from API on the ending of the export ban can be found here.

Production in Ohio's Utica Shale reached record highs in the third quarter of 2015. As Jackie Stewart of Energy In Depth reported earlier this month, production more than doubled over the same quarter in 2014.

"In the third quarter of 2015, the Utica shale produced 5,696,780 barrels of oil and 245,747,686 Bcf (245 billion cubic feet) of natural gas," Stewart wrote. "This sets new records as unconventional shale production totals have increased by more than 100 percent since the same quarter last year."

The article also points out that Carroll County remains one of the state's top oil producers. You can read the entire report here.

Lindsey Klevin of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association discussed the ramifications of lower oil and gas prices in a recent article on OOGA's Oil & Gas Matters blog.

"Robust natural gas production has helped inventories soar to record highs we haven't seen before," Kleven wrote, before also pointing out that new production has slowed "as producers are responding to the current market conditions."

And, while it's a challenging time for producers, consumers are certainly reaping the benefits from higher supplies and resulting lower energy costs, as evidenced by six-year lows on gasoline prices in Ohio: "Consumers are expected to save a reported $7 billion at the pump during this holiday season, which translates out to about $40 per driver."

You can read the entire article here.

In conclusion, we like the sound of Jackie Stewart's summary in her report on Q3 Utica Shale production: "This is all certainly wonderful news for Ohio's growing economy, which--recent reports indicate--will continue to benefit from shale production and the construction of associated infrastructure for years to come."

Here's to 2016!

A Look Back at Our Shale Shoot & Utica Conference

Our spread as it appeared in ShaleMart magazine.

The inaugural Shale Shoot Sporting Clays Championship & Utica Conference took place in Carroll County on Thursday, Nov. 5. About 50 shooters enjoyed a cookout before participating in the Shale Shoot at Upland Valley Sporting Clays in Carrollton. 

The Top Shooter prize, a Colt XSE Combat Elite .45 valued at almost $1,400, went to Bill Mayer II, while the Gun Raffle prize, a $1,400 Henry Big Boy Engraved American Oilman .44 mag., went to Matthew Napski. 

Afterward the scene shifted to Atwood Lake Resort in Sherrodsville for the Utica Conference featuring updates on oil & gas developments from four industry executives. A full buffet meal followed, with additional presentations from State Sen. Lou Gentile and Dave Motts of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We’re looking forward to the return of this great event in the fall of 2016.

Click on this link for a gallery of photos: Shale Shoot & Utica Conference.

Power Plants in Carroll County, Lordstown and Wellsville to Bring More Jobs to Region

Recently we reported about the exciting developments surrounding the $899 million Carroll County Energy (CCE) facility, a 700 megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant to be built in Carrollton. Among the positives: The prospect of as many as 700 jobs being created during the construction of the plant.

The good news continues with the announcement of two similar facilities coming to Northeast Ohio.

A report in the Youngstown Vindicator outlined plans for an 800-megawatt, natural-gas fired plant to be built in Lordstown. The Lordstown Energy Center will be located on 17 acres in the Lordstown Industrial Park.

Clean Energy Future, which will construct the facility, estimated more than 1,000 jobs will be created in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, with an investment of more than $850 million. The company said it plans to begin construction this fall with a goal of launching commercial operations by 2018.

The Vindicator reported that the facility and associated transmission infrastructure will interconnect to the American Transmission Systems Inc. bulk transmission system.

South Field Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Advanced Power, announced plans to build a $1.1 billion, 1,100-megawatt natural gas electric generating plant in Columbiana County. Advanced Power, which is also behind the Carroll County plant, said the facility will generate electricity for the delivery and sale to the interstate transmission grid.

It will be built in Yellow Creek Township, about 3 miles from Wellsville, and will use General Electric turbine technology to produce 1,000 megawatts, enough to power more than 1 million households.

The $1.1 billion project is expected to create up to 550 construction jobs over two to three years. Eventually it will have 25 full-time employees in engineering, technical, operation, management and administrative positions.

In all, more than 2,000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction of the three facilities, and that’s good news for local workers.

“The timing is ideal for construction workers who have experienced a slowdown of late in the oil and gas industry,” said Dave Kirven, chairman of the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership. “These companies will benefit from the expertise and craftsmanship our local union members will provide.”

This article was originally written for publication in ShaleMart magazine.

Early Bird Rates Extended for Nov. 5 Shale Shoot & Utica Conference

We've extended our early bird rates for this Thursday's Shale Shoot and Utica Conference through Wednesday, Nov. 4! This unique event will combine the Shale Shoot sporting clays championship in the morning, at Upland Valley Sporting Clays in Carrollton. An informative Utica Conference will take place at Atwood Lake Resort in Sherrodsville in the afternoon, followed by a delicious buffet meal and reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.. 

Presentations at the conference and reception will include information about the Carroll County Energy project, the Rover Pipeline, the proposed cracker plant in Monroe County, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village project in Canton. (See image below for details.)

The extended early bird rates are:

$150 for the entire day (Shale Shoot and Utica Conference);

$100 for the morning Shale Shoot only; and 

$75 for the afternoon Utica Conference/Reception only. 

The rates will increase on the day of the event, so register early to save!

Some corporate sponsorships are still available!

This is one event you simply won't want to miss. Make plans to join us! 

Click here for complete information

Register by Oct. 31 to Receive Early-Bird Rates for Shale Shoot & Utica Conference

Our inaugural Shale Shoot & Utica Conference is just one week away! This unique event is set for Thursday, Nov. 5 in Carroll County.

Speakers include: Chris Terajewicz, Carroll County Energy; Griffin Goetz, Ullico Retirement Solutions; and Mike Jacoby, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth; Mike Chadsey, Ohio Oil & Gas Association; and Susan King, AECOM. 

Speakers for the evening Reception/Buffet Meal will be David Baker, president and executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who will provide an update about the Hall of Fame Village project; and Sen. Lou Gentile, senator from the 30th District of the Ohio Senate. 

Presentations will include information about the Carroll County Energy project, the Rover Pipeline, and the proposed cracker plant in Monroe County.

The day will begin with the morning Shale Shoot Sporting Clays Championship at Upland Valley Sporting Clays in Carrollton; continues with the Utica Conference at Atwood Lake Resort in Sherrodsville; and concludes with a reception at Atwood (featuring an open bar and buffet meal) that will include remarks from Mr. Baker and Sen. Gentile. This is one event you simply won't want to miss! Early bird registration rates are good through Oct. 31. Sponsorships are also available.

Click here for information and to register.