Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 2:10PM Devon, Chesapeake each pull plugs of two disappointing wells
By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: January 1, 2013 - 12:42 AM
A great deal of attention is directed at successful Utica shale wells in eastern Ohio, but there’s another side to the story.
A total of nine wells, including three in the Akron-Canton area, have been plugged — a sign of failure — by drilling companies over the past two years.
Locally, the plugged wells include a Devon Energy Corp. site in Medina County’s Harrisville Township and two Chesapeake Energy wells: one in Portage County’s Suffield Township and one in Stark County’s Paris Township.
Under state rules, plugged wells are abandoned permanently and are sealed with concrete. Their status shows up on a weekly report on drilling permits from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Devon Energy also plugged a well in Ashland County.
The company, without offering specifics, reported this summer that preliminary results from the Medina and Ashland wells were disappointing. Officials said they would shift attention to the natural gas liquids-rich area in eastern Ohio counties.
