Utica

U.S. natural gas well production during 2017 climbed a staggering 35% year/year, pushed by efficiency improvements from three big shale plays, the Utica (78%), Haynesville (44%) and Marcellus (28%), according to a review by Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. LLC.

Strong performance from the company’s “base production wedge” in Ohio’s Utica Shale and new wells turned to sales in the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP) during the first quarter have prompted Gulfport Energy Corp. to increase its full-year production guidance, management said Wednesday.

CNX Resources Corp. reported a 184% year/year (y/y) increase in Utica Shale volumes during the first quarter, as it continues to build more of the play into its development program.

The Utica Shale and South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP) helped Gulfport Energy Corp. increase year/year production by 52% in the first quarter.

Blue Ridge Mountain Resources Inc. (BRMR) said Monday two step-out wells in the Utica Shale retrograde condensate window of Washington County, OH, have de-risked about 6,700 net acres and are performing above expectations.

Appalachian pure-play Eclipse Resources Corp. said this week that it is exploring a “full range” of strategic, operational and financial alternatives to maximize shareholder value.

Utica Shale natural gas production increased again last year to 1.7 Tcf, up about 25% from 2016, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

An XTO Energy Inc. Utica Shale well in Belmont County, OH, is still leaking natural gas and brine water two weeks after it blew out when contractors were finishing completion operations.

Crews were still working Tuesday on a plan to cap a Utica Shale well that XTO Energy Inc. and its contractors lost control of last Thursday in Ohio’s Belmont County.