Will Increased Ohio Regulations Discourage Drilling Activity?
From Crain's Cleveland Business:
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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources' announcement of new, stronger permit conditions for horizontal drilling near faults or areas of past seismic activity will add extra costs for some drillers looking to set up wells, but those watching the shale play in the state don't expect the change to drive away operators or investors.Click here to read more about this.
The new permit conditions, announced April 11, would require companies to use seismic monitors if the proposed drill pad is within three miles of a fault or the site of previous seismic activity of more than 2.0 magnitude.
If a “seismic event” — known as an earthquake to most of us — of more than 1.0 magnitude was detected, any activity at the site would have to halt while an investigation is conducted. And if that investigation showed the event likely was related to hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking,” drilling at that site would cease.
But the department wants to make it clear: The new permit conditions don't prohibit hydraulic fracturing or drilling, even near fault lines.
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