Susquehanna Basin Commission Now Requires Permits For All Natural Gas Shales

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published a notice this week in the PA Bulletin requiring all natural gas well development projects targeting the Antes, Burkett, Geneseo, Mandata, Middlesex, Needmore,  Rhinestreet as well as the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations to apply to SRBC for permission to withdraw water.

            The action was taken in response to interest in these formations by the natural gas industry, according to Thomas Beauduy, Deputy Executive Director and Counsel for SRBC.  Several permits have already been issued in these formations by the Department of Environmental Protection.
          As a result of the notice, SRBC requires anyone withdrawing water for well development in these shales to get a permit for natural gas development in any shale formation.  All other oil or gas wells not covered by the notice and which meet the SRBC's standard regulatory thresholds of 100,000 gallons per day for withdrawals or 20,000 gallons per day of consumptive use will also be required to have a permit from SRBC.
            SRBC plans a formal change to its regulations to cover the other natural gas formations.  Their regulations now only cover Marcellus and Utica shales.
            Visit SRBC's natural gas well development webpage for more information.

5/9/2011

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