In an effort to increase efficiency and consistency, the Department of Environmental Protection now collects natural gas production data from operators of unconventional (Shale) natural gas wells on a monthly basis.

Production data was previously reported on a semi-annual basis every February and August.

"This increase in production reporting will advance our efforts to promote responsible drilling in Pennsylvania," Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley said. "By requiring drillers to report their production on a more frequent basis, we will increase efficiency and consistency in reporting this vital data set."

The Unconventional Well Report Act, passed by the General Assembly on October 22, 2014, requires operators of unconventional wells to supply monthly gas production data to DEP. This requirement took effect in the beginning of this year, with January's production data due by midnight on March 31. All subsequent months' production data will be due 45 days after the end of the month of production.

The February 2015 monthly production report is due no later than April 14.

As of the March 31 deadline, 80 percent of operators reported their production for January. The operators that met the deadline represent 99.5 percent of unconventional natural gas wells in Pennsylvania.

DEP conducts data verification to ensure that required data is submitted on time and that no gross errors are identified. DEP conducts compliance oversight of operators who fail to comply with the reporting requirements.

Production data is self-reported to DEP by operators and reported data are submitted to DEP electronically. As soon as it is submitted, production data is available on DEP's Oil and Gas Reporting website.

The act did not affect the frequency of production reporting for operators of conventional wells. Conventional well operators will continue to report their production data on an annual basis.

To see production reports by county or by operator, visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Reporting  website.

NewsClip: Shale Drillers To Release Monthly Reports On Production

4/6/2015