With the ability to recover 85 percent of the contaminated water used in the hydraulic fracturing process, Cunningham Energy and Ohio senators hope to promote positive economic effects despite public outcry.
Cunningham Energy, an independent oil and gas company from Charleston, W.Va., hopes to maintain its strong relations with Athens leaseholders, as well as continue what it considers responsible fracturing techniques.
During Cunningham’s visit to Athens Oct. 7 and 8, residents lined the sidewalks outside of the Ohio University Inn to protest hydraulic fracturing’s harmful environmental effects and oil and gas company’s allegedly shoddy leases. The energy company was giving Athens County residents the opportunity to lease their property to explore the natural resources beneath their land.
“Anyone who leases their land (to explore their natural resources) is a patriot and is winning our energy independence back,” Joe Blackhurst, a land manager for Cunningham Energy, said.
The company has decided to explore Utica Shale, which lies beneath Athens County and most of Southeastern Ohio, because of their positive results that came from exploring Marcellus Shale in the same area.
“Utica is a liquid rich gas and that translates to a lot of money,” Blackhurst said. “It is going to bring a huge economic boom to Southeastern Ohio.”
An economic impact study from the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program projects the exploration, leasing, drilling and connector pipeline construction of the Utica Shale to create 204,000 jobs by 2015.
With other drilling sites in North Dakota and West Virginia, Blackhurst said Cunningham’s success and productivity lies in positive relationships with its leaseholders.
“This business touches people economically and lets them live the American dream,” Blackhurst said.
Not only does Cunningham pride itself on its relationship with leaseholders, but also the safety measures it takes during and after drilling.
“We are watched closely by West Virginia Environmental Protection and we intend to drill responsibly,” Blackhurst said.
Concerns over the disposal of contaminated water after fracking has been a major concern of both residents and city officials in Athens since the leasing of 3,302 acres in Wayne National Forest, located near Athens’ city water aquifer.
“When a rig has been used to its full extent, we recover about 85 percent of all fluid used and it is typically recycled,” Blackhurst said, adding the recycled water can then be deposited back into nature.
Blackhurst added the remaining 15 percent, known as “unrecoverable waste,” is entombed in the bottom of the empty rig then filled with cement, a process conducted by a State approved contractor.
This safety first approach to fracking echoes state Senator Troy Balderson’s, R-94, pro-fracking stance.
Joshua Eck, Balderson’s legislative aide, said Ohio is sitting on natural resources that could spark Ohio’s version of the gold rush.
“Ohio needs to approach fracking in a safe, responsible way,” Eck said. “That means safe conditions for workers, fair contracts and environmental regulation.”
kg287609@ohiou.edu
