Chesapeake Energy Corp. continues to expand its presence in the Utica Shale region by partnering with two firms to build a complex that will process natural gas and natural gas liquids in eastern Ohio .
Chesapeake along with M3 Midstream and EV Energy Partners will invest approximately $900 million in the midstream services complex, Chesapeake said March 13.
The structure will include natural gas gathering and compression facilities constructed and operated by Chesapeake subsidiary Chesapeake Midstream Development as well as processing, natural gas liquids fractionation and loading and terminal facilities built and operated by Momentum.
The complex will be located in Columbiana County, a region where the company already has several drilling sites.
Chesapeake announced earlier in the year its plan to shift more production to liquids-rich shale fields as prices for dry gas continue to drop. Chesapeake currently has eight rigs operating in the Utica Shale and plans to have 20 by the end of the year, says company spokesman Pete Kenworthy.