September 10, 2008
5 companies share high bids for Pa. gas drilling

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ Five out-of-state companies are the high bidders for the right to drill for natural gas on more than 74,000 acres in Pennsylvania's state forests.

The high bidders were among 17 companies that competed for the drilling rights over a potentially lucrative natural-gas formation known the Marcellus Shale. The 18 tracts that were put out to bid by the state forestry agency are located in Tioga and Lycoming counties in north-central Pennsylvania.

All together, the high bids total about $190 million.

Three of the companies are from Texas and two are from New York.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

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Josef said...

Where will this money be used? We were promised tax releif from the Casino...

September 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM

Steve said...

Will taxpayers be enjoying this new-found wealth, or will Harrisburg be enjoying yet another slush fund?

September 10, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Jon Denver said...

Will all of the fracking and natural gas drilling end up in Luzerne county?

September 14, 2008 at 6:22 PM

Harold said...

Doesn't something smell fishy on these State Gas leases when ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest oil companies, wins several of the tract leases, while being the ONLY BIDDER ??? Everyone knows that acreage in the Marcellus Fairway (which includes Tioga and Lycoming counties) is a sought-after commodity, and that thirty or more energy companies are active in the Play. NONE of them wanted any of this acreage, except the Multi-National ExxonMobil ? Come on !!!

September 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM

Brett said...

The dangerous formula of chemicals for gas drilling is a secret. If a doctor tries to treat anyone for these chemical. The gas company will not be made to tell the doctor what the chemicals are. This gas drilling is not so good. The leasing contracts are not fare. All leasing contracts should be made with bids. The land owner having the right to reject any bad offers. Why does the state get so much more than the tax payer?

October 21, 2008 at 1:44 PM

barrell said...

It will all go to Philadelphia. That were Obama won hands down

December 13, 2008 at 8:15 AM

Jay from Brigham said...

Brett you are an idiot. Half of the drilling materials used on the rig are biodegradeable. We feed the cows and fish that we eat with those materials. Packar a chemical used on the rigs is nothing but a chemical potato starch. Dont talk smack on what you dont know. You need to do some more research and find out from reliable sources instead of tree hugging hippies. Its morons like you that are ruining this country, causing many families to lose their homes, lives, children, everything because you cant stop griping and moaning about the oil field. You know absolutly nothing about it and you need to go back to school to work on your spelling!

February 23, 2009 at 11:52 PM

J.T. NIED said...

I HAVE READ MOST OF THE COMMENTS, THE COMMON PROBLEM IS THAT NONE OF THEM HAS SERIOUSLY RESEARCHED GAS AND OIL FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END. YOU HAVE TO KNOW AS MUCH AS THE COMPANIES IN ORDER TO MAKE A TRULY GOOD LEASE. WE HAVE SECURED WHAT IS KNOWN AS A "SUPER LEASE" THIS IS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE STANDARD 1/8 LEASE THAT 99.9% SIGN, WE GOT THIS QUALITY OF LEASE BECAUSE WE KNEW AS MUCH AS THE COMPANY WHEN WE FINALIZED IT. NO ATTORNEY'S NO CONSULTANTS JUST KNOWLEDGE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT. THE MARCELLUS PLAY IS A NATURAL RESOURCE TO BE MAXIMIZED FOR ALL CONCERNED. AS TO STATE LEASES, BIDS ARE ESSENTIAL ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF ALLOWING THE COMPANIES TO CLAIM THE RESERVES AS ASSETS, THIS ALLOWS THEM TO CREATE DERIVITIVES AND OTHER "RISKY" FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.THIS IS WHAT CHESAPEAKE DID AND NOW IT IS OWNED BY BP AND STATOIL. MAKE YOURSELVES EXPERTS IN ALL THE ASPECTS OF GAS AND OIL REALITIES AND YOU AND OTHERS WILLMAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR YOUR FUTURES.

March 10, 2009 at 12:48 AM

Jon said...

Jay I couldn't have said it better. Does any one know who the drilling companies will be?

March 17, 2009 at 1:06 PM

Dave said...

Brett is an idiot. Ive been on a few drilling rigs and Ive mixed the chemicals in the drilling mud. Water based mud is completely biodegradable. The main component is bentonite clay. Its a natural rock. We are required to follow EPA regulations on any drilling rig and required to file reports of any spill of any hazardous chemical. Try talking to a few roughnecks who actually use the chemicals before assuming anything.

March 22, 2009 at 3:57 PM

Super Drill said...

who are these companies i would like to come cork in the northern states i am from texas and wouldnr mind drilling in a new area such as Pennsylvania, sounds like a challange and a lot of money is about to come the stats way in turn going to the states tax payers and also put money into roads and towns that need it

June 25, 2009 at 9:24 AM


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