Partnership Celebrates Carroll County's New Energy Facility

From the time the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership was formed, a key member and sponsor has been the East Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council. This leading association of more than 20 building trades unions from six Northeast Ohio counties has been an active supporter of the oil and gas industry in Ohio and an important member of the Partnership since it was founded.

Partnership Chairman Dave Kirven (second from left)
assists with the CCE plant groundbreaking July 21

The organization helped celebrate a milestone occasion on July 21 when Dave Kirven, president of the council, who also serves as business agent for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local No. 94 and as chairman of the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership, participated with other union and state officials at the groundbreaking for the $899 Carroll County Energy (CCE) facility, a 700 megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant in Carrollton.

In addition to other incentives, Advanced Power, the project’s developer, agreed to use local vendors for products and services, and agreed to a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the East Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council.

According to an article by Matt Jaworski in the Labor Citizen, an official building and trades publication, the project is expected to employ about 700 workers at its peak, “with roughly half of the jobs going to pipefitters and boilermakers.”

“While the bulk of the workers will not be on the jobsite until 2016,” Jaworski wrote, “the work could not have come at a better time for area construction unions that started to see a slowdown in the oil and natural gas sector.”

Kirven pointed out that the unions offer a tremendous advantage in finding enough skilled tradesmen for any size job.

“In addition to the locals in the immediate area, there are more than 300 unions nationwide to draw from,” he said.

The Union Labor Life Insurance Company (Ullico), a labor-owned insurance and investment company, is a minority equity investor in the CCE project. Ullico investments are backed by the pension funds of unions such as the building trades.

According to information on the Ullico website, the CCE will generate direct economic impact of $655 million in Carroll County, and an indirect impact of more than $60 million through the purchase of local supplies and services.

This article also appeared in ShaleMart's print and online editions.

Ohio Oil and Gas Production Continues Surge Despite Price Drop

"We think our Ohio Utica is a tremendous asset poised for significant growth for many years to come."

Those words, from American Energy Partners CEO Daniel J. Rice IV, suggest that predictions of the demise of the oil and gas industry in Ohio may be premature.

According to a report in the Columbus Dispatch, "Ohio oil and gas production continues to break records despite warnings that sharply falling oil prices will cause the industry to decline."

Figures released by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources indicate that a record 5.6 million barrels of oil and 222 billion cubic feet of gas were extracted during the second quarter of the year, up from 4.4 million barrels and 184 billion cubic feet in the prior quarter.

The Dispatch report quoted a Marietta College professor as saying that companies "have been finding ways to reduce the costs of drilling and completing wells, which makes some of the wells viable even as energy prices fall."

Visit the Dispatch website for the complete article.

Visit our website for more information about the impact of oil and gas in Stark and Carroll counties.

Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership Supported by Leading Energy Organizations

As published in ShaleMart magazine

The Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership continues to be a leading advocate for oil and gas exploration, and for bringing jobs, residents and opportunity to the region. Supporting our efforts are several leading industry organizations that, together, we refer to as our Energy Partners.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. API's mission is to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and natural gas industry. Their more than 600 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry.

Although the organization’s focus is primarily domestic, in recent years their work has expanded to include a growing international dimension, and today API is recognized around the world for its broad range of programs. API’s website is www.api.org.

Launched by the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) in 2009, Energy in Depth is a research, education and public outreach campaign focused on getting the facts out about the promise and potential of responsibly developing America’s onshore energy resource base—especially abundant sources of oil and natural gas from shale and other “tight” formations across the country. The campaign is an effort that benefits directly from the support, direction and technical expertise of a broad segment of America’s oil and natural gas industry, led in Washington by IPAA, and guided on the ground by IPAA’s more than 6,000 members and affiliates in the states. Learn more at www.energyindepth.org.

Through Energy Nation, America’s energy workers—employees, retirees, vendors, suppliers and their families—are united and their voices amplified to reach decision-makers in their communities, states and in our Nation’s capital to help secure a stronger, more independent American energy future. Members of Energy Nation play a part in defending American energy development and American energy jobs. Energy Nation gives members throughout the country the opportunity to learn and engage with each other about the issues that matter to our industry, to influence the debate happening in their communities and interact directly with elected officials. America has the resources, the technology and the talented professionals needed to be the world’s energy superpower. Energy Nation is working to make that potential become a reality. Their website is www.energynation.org.

The Ohio Oil & Gas Association (OOGA) is a trade association with more than 3,100 members involved in all aspects of the exploration, production and development of crude oil and natural gas resources within the State of Ohio. OOGA's mission is to protect, promote, foster and advance the common interest of those engaged in all aspects of the Ohio crude oil and natural gas producing industry. The organization strives to serve the broad range of entities involved in the Ohio oil and natural gas industry by being an effective voice in government and the media as well as an information resource to the membership. Learn more online at www.ooga.org.

Each of these organizations have been active partners of the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership. We are thankful for their leadership and support.

This article was originally submitted for publication in ShaleMart's print and online editions.

Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership to Host Reception Aug. 9 Following HOF Enshrinees Roundtable

The Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership will host a reception following the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Gameday Roundtable on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts.

The reception will take place in the Preyer Gallery of the Cultural Center, located at 1101 Market Ave. N. in Canton. James Lofton, a 2003 Hall of Fame enshrinee, will be our special guest at the reception.

The afternoon will begin with a luncheon at 12 noon. The Roundtable is known for its casual and lighthearted atmosphere. Taking center stage, the enshrinees in attendance will share stories from their careers with those in attendance.

Afterward the reception will feature light hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine until 5 o'clock.

Tickets are $75 for partnership members and $110 for non-members, and sponsorships (tickets included) are available. Call (330) 454-3664 for details or visit the Roundtable page on the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership website.

Stark and Carroll Counties Working Together for the Future of Oil and Gas

Over the past few months the Stark County Oil & Gas Partnership has worked closely with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to plan for the Partnership's first annual Shale Shoot Sporting Clay Championship & Utica Conference, which is coming up Nov. 5 and 6 of this year.

As published in ShaleMart magazine

Partnership Chairman Dave Kirven has had a number of meetings and conversations with Amy Rutledge, executive director of the Carroll Chamber, and other representatives to determine ways the two organizations can work more closely together to promote the oil and gas industry in the region.

While Stark County has offered its many resources for company relocation, residents moving into the area, and numerous entertainment, dining and shopping options, Carroll County is Northeast Ohio's hub of activity in the Utica Shale

A report that appeared earlier this year on the FracTracker Alliance website indicated that Carroll County is home to fully one-fourth of the state’s drilling permits, and 43 percent of all producing wells (as of the end of Q3 of 2014). Carroll County is where the majority of drilling is actually taking place in the entire state, let alone our immediate region.

After ongoing discussions dating back to late 2014, the Partnership's name is changing to the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership, to reflect the participation of businesses and organizations that are not only doing business with companies in the region, but are located in those respective counties as well.

“This is a big step for our organization, and for the companies and individuals who do business in our two counties,” said Kirven. “Not only do Stark and Carroll border one another, they offer tremendous advantages in terms of natural resources, quality of life, and business and residential opportunities.”

More details will be shared in the weeks ahead. Stay in touch with the Partnership via their blog (choosestark.blogspot.com), their website (www.choosestark.com), and their Facebook page. If you're not already a member, be sure to join the Partnership to receive all the benefits of membership, including their bi-weekly "Drill Bits" e-newsletter. Membership information is available under the “Join” tab at www.choosestark.com.

This article was originally submitted for publication in ShaleMart's print and online editions.

A New Name, a New Era, and Greater Impact

Over the past few months the Stark County Oil & Gas Partnership has worked closely with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to plan for the Partnership's first annual Shale Shoot Sporting Clay Championship & Utica Conference, which is coming up Nov. 5 and 6 of this year.

Partnership Chairman Dave Kirven has had a number of meetings and conversations with Amy Rutledge, executive director of the Carroll Chamber, and other representatives to determine ways the two organizations can work more closely together to promote the oil and gas industry in the region.

While Stark County has offered its many resources for company relocation, residents moving into the area, and numerous entertainment, dining and shopping options, Carroll County is Northeast Ohio's hub of activity in the Utica Shale; it's where the majority of drilling is actually taking place in our area.

After ongoing discussions dating back to late 2014, the Partnership's name is changing to the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership, to reflect the participation of businesses and organizations that are not only doing business with companies in the region, but are located in those respective counties as well.

More details will be shared in the weeks ahead. Stay in touch with the Partnership via this blog, our website, and our Facebook page. And, if you're not already a member, be sure to join to receive all the benefits of membership, including our bi-weekly "Drill Bits" e-newsletter and more.

Pro Football HOF Village Holds Promise for Region, Building Trades

The news about the Pro Football Hall of Fame and their Hall of Fame Village project just keeps getting bigger, better and more impressive, and promises to deliver a tremendous economic boost to Stark County and the entire region.

As published in ShaleMart magazine

We at the StarkCounty Oil & Gas Partnership are especially excited, because it represents continued diversity to the development of the region. We are already actively involved in the biggest economic windfall to affect the United States in this young century—the expansion and growth of the oil and gas industry. While that is having a positive effect nationwide, the expansion of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have a significant impact close to home, and is clearly deserving of our support.

David Baker, president and CEO of the Hall, began sharing the potential for the project more than a year ago in speeches and presentations to chambers of commerce and other business groups in Stark County. When he and others involved in the Hall of Fame Village announced the details at a press conference in May, the full scope of the $476 million project became known. It will be exciting to watch the village become a reality in the months and years ahead.

One of the reasons we’re so excited is that the Hall of Fame has a track record of using local contractors and local Building Trades craftsmen, and our area Building Trades are actively involved with the oil and gas industry. Dave Kirven, chairman of the Stark County Oil & Gas Partnership, is also president of the East Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council.

“We’ve been in discussions with Dave Baker and others at the Hall of Fame with the goal of securing a commitment to the hiring of local Building Trades craftsmen for the Village project,” Kirven said.

Kirven attended the press conference at which the Hall of Fame Village details were announced, and drew applause from the audience when he assured Baker that the project would “be ready for you when you bring the NFL Draft here in 2019.”

Stuart Lichter, president of the company that is developing the village, assured those in attendance that they would utilize local labor as much as possible.

That’s good news for Stark County. The Partnership applauds the Pro Football Hall of Fame for its commitment to our region, and to the local workers who are helping to build it.

This article was originally submitted for publication in ShaleMart's print and online editions.