HEAVY IRON NEWS
Marcellus Shale Drilling To Come To Allegheny Suburbs
- By Design Team
- •
- 15 Sep, 2015
The Allegheny Co suburbs may soon be greeting an important new resident: EQT. EQT has expressed interest in drilling upon the remains of the Churchill Valley Country Club, a 1,200 acre property which has fallen into disuse. The Marcellus shale is considered to be one of the most plentiful gas resources in the world and could be a prime location for hydraulic fracturing.
DRILLING ON THE CHURCHILL VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB
Residents and business owners surrounding the now abandoned Churchill Valley Country Club have recently been contacted regarding the appropriate leases that the company would need to drill in and around the area. The Churchill Valley Country Club is presently not being maintained, and many of the local residents welcome the gas company as a way to utilize the land. In the suburban environment, the current country club is little more than an eyesore.
Leasing will mean that residents and business owners will have an opportunity to share in the region's wealth. Though the drilling will occur primarily in the clubhouse area, it may also extend in a one mile radius around it. But, for that, the company will need permission. The lease does not mean that the drilling will occur (or even that negotiations for the property itself have already begun) but rather gives the drilling company the option of extending their drilling should the deal go forward.
BRINGING IN NEW JOBS
Drilling on the Marcellus shale would undoubtedly bring both money and jobs into the region, in addition to the leasing costs. It will likely be a fairly extensive operation, with as many as 14 wells upon a 20 acre pad. The drilling would go on for a potential three years and, as noted, could potentially extend one mile outward from the area. Showing firm community support, the East Allegheny school district had already approved a lease for Marcellus to drill on district land late in 2014.
SOME DISSENT REMAINS
Though many of the residents and business owners have embraced the idea, some remain concerned about potential noise pollution and through traffic. However, on a 1,200 acre property, it may not be likely that any noise does infiltrate the surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, the average noise level of an oil and gas site falls between 70 to 80 decibels, which is comparable with a vacuum. The noise level drops off sharply with distance.
Some residents are additionally concerned about having an impact on the local children. Others are optimistic that the positive influences will outweigh the negatives.
Poorly maintained properties, especially those that constitute over a thousand acres, often present their own risks. By revitalizing the local area and drilling on the Marcellus shale, EQT may be able to embark upon a profitable venture while also improving the local community. Over the past few years, EQT has shown interest in numerous Allegheny regions with Marcellus shale access, and arrangements are likely to be finalized shortly.
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