Utica Shale

The first Utica Shale drilling began in Quebec in 2006, between Montreal and Quebec City. Drilling continued in the area until 2012, when a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing was imposed by the province of Quebec. New York also passed a similar moratorium in 2008, but allowed a Canadian company to drill three state-permitted wells into Utica Shale starting in 2009. A Utica Shale well was drilled in Ohio in 2011, providing access to the oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids found in the area. Utica Shale is estimated to hold 208 million barrels of natural gas liquids, 38 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and around 940 million barrels of oils. This play is considered a large source of natural gas and oil, though production has been limited by the depth of its reserves and its low permeability. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are increasing access to these resources as drilling techniques and technology continue to progress.