Monroe, Pike not prime for gas drilling, says initial testing

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Monroe, Pike not prime for gas drilling, says initial testing

By Michael Sadowski
Pocono Record Writer
October 04, 2010 12:00 AM

When the Delaware River Basin Commission releases its regulations for companies that intend to drill Marcellus Shale in its watershed, the industry interest in the Poconos could rise.

But it might not be immediate, and it likely won’t be as widespread as it has been in other regions of the state, if preliminary geology is any indication.

David Yoxtheimer, an extension associate at the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, said the region is not yet particularly well-mapped for Marcellus Shale density. However, he said Marcellus Shale deposits in Monroe and Pike counties appear to be further below the surface and not as thick as the deposits in the burgeoning northern tier of the state.

“The drilling time and costs may be greater if they need to drill deeper,” Yoxtheimer said of natural gas companies, making the region a less attractive shale site.

Yoxtheimer said Marcellus Shale deposits are found about 5,000 to 7,000 feet under the surface in the northern tier of the state, like Susquehanna and Bradford counties and parts of Wayne County.

However, in Monroe and Pike counties — part of the DRBC’s authority — it’s found as deep as 8,000 feet under the surface.

Also, the most abundant Marcellus Shale areas of the county in the northern sections have a thickness of about 75 to 100 feet. The deposits in the southern areas of the county are less than 50 feet. In the state’s northern tier, deposits could run as thick as 250 feet.

“Which would put Monroe County on the outer fringe of Marcellus play,” Yoxtheimer said.

According to state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources geology figures, a very small piece of Barrett Township is the only area of the county with deposits that could be as thick as 100 feet.

Portions of Susquehanna, Wayne and Bradford counties have deposits as thick as 250 feet, according to state figures.

“Initially, (drilling) probably won’t be as extensive in Monroe as it will be in northern Pike or Wayne counties,” said state Rep. John Siptroth, D-189. “Monroe County has vast deposits; they’re just down much deeper. Companies are going to go where (they would make the smallest) investment.”

Keith Schmidt, spokesman for Newfield Exploration Co., said his company recently completed its third exploratory well drilling in Wayne County.

He said the company needs to evaluate data at those sites before there is any development elsewhere. “That will take time,” Schmidt said.

Pat Carullo, a founding member of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, said when shale drilling does come, Monroe County residents will know.

DCS was formed two years ago to protect water quality in the Delaware River, something the group believes will be tampered with if Marcellus Shale drilling is permitted to come to the region.

“They won’t have to look very far,” he said. “They’ll see hundreds and hundreds of new trucks on the road, they’ll see transient workers and camps set up — it will be easy to see.”