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.

First 25 to Join Between Now and Nov. 5 Receive Two Free Utica Conference Tickets

Here's a tremendous opportunity to join the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership AND be a part of our Utica Conference next month.

If you're one of the first 25 to take advantage of our prorated membership offer and pay just $150 for the balance of 2015-16, we'll include two free admissions to our Utica Conference and Reception/Buffet Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Atwood Lake Resort in Sherrodsville!

Annual membership in the partnership is regularly $250. Members are eligible for numerous benefits, including discounts on Partnership events, our bi-weekly e-newsletter, marketing support, member-to-member discounts, directory listing and free job opening listings on choosestark.com, a directory listing on ShaleMart.com, advertising discounts on choosestark.com, and more!

The value of the free admissions to the Utica Conference is $150 (2 at $75 apiece), so if you join now and are one of the first 25 to do so, you'll have paid for your 2015-16 membership right there! Either way, as the list of benefits shows, membership in the partnership is a great investment.

Through education and advocacy programs, plus regular networking events, the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership continues to promote understanding of the oil and gas industry, the implementation of oil and gas extraction efforts that are environmentally responsible, and the use of local labor in the development, extraction and processing of oil and natural gas. In that effort, we've formed an effective alliance with local governments, chambers of commerce, labor groups, educational institutions, development groups and employment organizations. 

You can help promote our efforts and the development of oil and gas in the region by joining the Partnership today!

Click here for complete information on how to join.

First Annual Shale Shoot Sporting Clays Championship and Utica Conference Set for Nov. 5 in Carroll County

The date is approaching for the first annual Shale Shoot Sporting Clays Championship and Utica Conference, set for Thursday, Nov. 5 in Carroll County. The event is being sponsored by the Stark Carroll Oil and Gas Partnership and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

It will all begin Thursday morning with the First Annual Shale Shoot. Registration will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Atwood Lake Resort in Sherrodsville. Participants will make the short drive over to Upland Valley Sporting Clays in Carrollton for a cookout-style lunch at 11 a.m. The sporting clays championship event will begin at 12 noon and will feature long shot and top shooter contests, as well as raffle prizes.

The Utica Conference will take place in the afternoon at Atwood Lake Resort. Conference registration will begin at 2:30 p.m., with the Utica Conference (featuring a full slate of speakers discussing the current state of the Utica play) to take place from 3 to 5 p.m. A reception, featuring an open bar and full buffet, will follow at 5:30 p.m.

Speakers for the Utica Conference include: Chris Terajewicz of Advanced Power; Griffin Goetz of Ullico Retirement Solutions; Mike Jacoby of the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth; and Mike Chadsey of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association.

Presenters during the evening Reception will be David Baker, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and State Sen. Lou Gentile.

Through Oct. 31, early registration for the entire day (shoot and conference) is just $150 per person; for the morning Shale Shoot only, $100 per person; and for the afternoon Utica Conference only, $75 per person. (Prices will increase to $200, $150 and $100, respectively, on Nov. 1.)

Sponsorships for this unique event are also available. For complete details or to pay for registrations or sponsorships, visit the Shale Shoot page on the Stark Carroll Oil & Gas Partnership website.