Ohio’s horizontal Utica and Marcellus shale wells produced more than 4.4 million bbl of oil and about 183.6 Bcf of natural gas in the first quarter, according to newly released data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Unconventional oil production in the state increased markedly by nearly one million bbl from the fourth quarter when producers reported 3.5 million bbl (see Shale Daily, Feb. 26). Natural gas production also increased from 164.8 Bcf in the fourth quarter. Ohio law does not require the separate reporting of natural gas liquids. Those totals are included in natural gas volumes.

Both unconventional oil and natural gas were also up significantly from 1Q2014, when producers reported 1.2 million bbl of oil and 67 Bcf of natural gas. The latest report lists 926 wells, 877 of which reported production, a 12% increase from the fourth quarter. Forty-nine wells reported no production and were waiting on pipeline infrastructure.

The average amount of oil produced by each well was 5,019 bbl, while the average amount of natural gas produced was 209.3 MMcf over an average of 80 days.

ODNR has permitted 1,926 Utica shale wells, of which 1,497 have been drilled. The state has only permitted 44 Marcellus Shale wells, of which 29 have been drilled.