A KEYSTONE TO NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT IN THE APPALACHIAN BASIN: A HISTORICAL LOOK AT NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION FROM PENNSYLVANIA STATE FORESTS

Exploration and production of oil and natural gas on Pennsylvania State Forest lands began in 1945. Since then, more than 1,300 natural gas wells have been drilled, with approximately 500 remaining in production. The majority of these wells were drilled to target shallow, Upper Devonian gas formations. Limited production from ultra-deep gas formations, greater than 10,000 feet sub-surface, has occurred on State Forest lands although there has been some production; most notably the Grugan Field in the north-central part of the State. Deep production, between 6,000 – 10,000 feet subsurface, (e.g. Oriskany Sandstone) has played a vital role in shaping natural gas production throughout the State.

The purpose of this study is to provide cumulative totals for production of natural gas on Pennsylvania State Forest lands. This comprehensive look at natural gas production will seek to establish not only statewide production volume(s) but also an inflation adjusted economic look into what natural gas production has provided to Pennsylvania conservation efforts. Additionally, production will be delineated by gas field to better establish where the most significant activity has occurred in relation to sub-surface geologic structures as well as what producing formation(s) have been the most prolific across State Forest lands