Rogersville

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has become the latest operator to sink its drill bits into the Rogersville Shale, with two vertical test wells in Eastern Kentucky’s Lawrence County, according to the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS).

Cimarex Energy Co.’s first test of the Rogersville Shale appears to be a disappointment, a review of data released on Thursday by the Kentucky Division of Oil and Gas (KDOG) shows.

Dozens of oil and natural gas plays in the Appalachian Basin have helped to define the nation’s fossil fuel production since the 19th century, but unconventional drilling technology now finds operators searching somewhat secretly underneath it for more reserves.

As Kentucky prepares for what could be a sharp increase in unconventional oil and gas exploration, with interest growing in the Rogersville Shale, the state has passed new legislation, is working to update its regulations and is installing a network of seismic and groundwater monitoring equipment.

As Kentucky prepares for what could be a sharp increase in unconventional oil and gas exploration, with interest growing in the Rogersville Shale, the state has passed new legislation, is working to update its regulations and is installing a network of seismic and groundwater monitoring equipment.

Gas has started flowing to industrial, residential and municipalcustomers on Tengasco Inc.’s East Tennessee pipeline system. TheEast Tennessee communities of Sneedville and Rogersville beganreceiving service one day after the State of Tennessee RegulatoryAuthority issued a permit allowing Tengasco to open the valves ofits 28-mile line. The line, which gathers Appalachian productionand carries it directly to endusers, currently is supplying about10 MMcf/d, but at maximum capacity can provide 48 MMcf/d.