American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2022 - 58

SpecialReport: Marcellus & Utica Activity
flyovers multiple times a year, beginning
in August, to help better detect and assess
potential leaks, Viets says.
Superior assets, combined with a strong
capital return framework, position Chesapeake
to be successful now and into the
future, he stresses.
" We believe the world is going to
need more energy and we see ourselves
continuing to raise the bar and meet the
demands of society by providing more
reliable, affordable, lower-carbon energy, "
Viets says.
Chesapeake Energy's LINSKI 25HCat well in southeastern Bradford County, Pa., came
on line producing almost 44 MMcf/d from the Upper Marcellus. A three-well development
produced at peak rates of 50 MMcf/d-60 MMcf/d on a gross basis, and the three wells cumulatively
produced roughly 5 Bcf apiece over their first five months.
In addition to continuing to realize
strong results in the Lower Marcellus,
the company's technical team and its
prowess at customizing frac designs to
optimize results is reaping benefits in the
Upper Marcellus, Viets points out.
The LINSKI 25HCat well in southeastern
Bradford County, Pa., produced
almost 44 MMcf/d from the Upper Marcellus,
a result that also demonstrates the
company's premier acreage position, he
says. A three-well development produced
at peak rates of 50 MMcf/d-60 MMcf/d
on a gross basis, Viets reports. Over the
first five months, the wells cumulatively
produced roughly 5 Bcf apiece.
" That speaks to not just the quality of
the wells that get drilled in the Marcellus,
but specifically to the quality of the
acreage position that Chesapeake has and
to the runway we have for developing
the Lower Marcellus and Upper Marcellus
going forward, " he says.
Despite Chesapeake's attractive position
and results, Viets says overall takeaway
constraints in Appalachia are punishing
American consumers as much as international
customers.
" It is unfortunate because Appalachia
includes some of the lowest break-even
gas available in North America with some
of the best shale rock anywhere on the
globe, " Viets comments.
Supplying regional needs, including
additional power generation and other
industries, should give producers additional
in-basin outlets for their gas,
Viets says, while regulatory and legal
hurdles hinder development of takeaway
capacity expansions.
58 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER
" As a country, from the federal level
down to the states and local communities,
we must find a way to come together if
we are serious about solving a global energy
crisis and want to see the Marcellus
unlocked, " Viets states.
He points to Appalachia's superior
emissions performance as a compelling
argument supporting expanded production.
In the Marcellus, 100% of legacy Chesapeake
gas is certificated as responsibly
sourced with results including an A grade
from MiQ and a pass grade on a pass-fail
system from Equitable Origins.
Fixed devices on 80% of legacy production
and all new well pads continuously
monitor emissions. The company also is
partnering with Bridger Photonics to do
Stacked Pay Potential
Olympus Energy LLC continues to
tap into the Marcellus and look to further
develop the Utica beneath it in southwestern
Pennsylvania to supply the region
with energy that benefits consumers and
reduces emissions, says COO Michael
Wahl.
Development of the Marcellus has already
had huge benefits on Appalachia
consumers and industrial markets, Wahl
points out. For example, ongoing gas
cost savings for each Pennsylvania household
over the past decade is equivalent to
one-time COVID relief checks during
the height of the pandemic, he says, and
roughly two-thirds of regional emissions
reductions stem from switching from coal
to natural gas as boiler fuel.
Rebranded from Huntley & Huntley
Energy Exploration in 2019, Olympus
is expanding production on a position
that includes 100,000 acres in the heart
of the Marcellus and Utica fairways in
Olympus Energy is running two rigs with plans to significantly increase its well count
this year. The company is expanding production on a position that includes 100,000
acres in the heart of the Marcellus and Utica fairways in southwestern Pennsylvania, and
it is keeping an eye out for bolt-on acreage acquisition opportunities near its core
stacked pay leasehold.

American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2022

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