Five wells in eastern Ohio produced  2.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas in 2011, according to Chesapeake Energy. This is a much higher production rate than was originally expected for the Utica Shale formation, and good news for Ohio, as much of the formation sits under the eastern side of our state.

The report shows a Harrison County well producing 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, which accounts for 2 percent of the state’s entire natural gas production — 300 times the daily production of the average vertical well.

This output can be typical of new wells, and the industry was careful to point out that yield can wane over time.

The Utica and Point Pleasant shale formations in northeast Ohio have created a strong natural gas expansion for Ohio, with new well drilling creating an economic boon in the area. Let’s ensure that we design the right environment for these resources to be extracted high economic impact for our state.