Yaw Bill Targets Outdated Oil and Gas Law to Speed Utica Drilling

HARRISBURG - A new bill aimed at updating Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas Conservation Law to match today's drilling practices and speed up permit reviews for Utica wells will soon be introduced, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and sponsor of the measure.

"The techniques used to develop Marcellus and Utica shale are the same and it makes no sense for our laws to treat them differently," Yaw said. "Modernizing this statute will reduce waste, protect resources and ensure Pennsylvania can continue to responsibly develop natural gas, a critical asset that supports jobs, generates revenue and strengthens our energy sector."

Yaw's legislation would update a statutory framework written in 1961, long before modern horizontal drilling existed. By bringing the law in line with current practices, the bill would help reduce delays in permit reviews, improve well placement and limit unnecessary surface impacts.

Currently, outdated rules don't reflect how unconventional wells are drilled today. Applying old standards to Utica wells can lead to significant amounts of natural gas being left in the ground, undermining the law's original intention to prevent waste.

Additionally, because many Utica wells are located on land managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, outdated rules can also result in billions in lost royalty revenue for public agencies that rely on these funds to support conservation work.

Utica wells tap into the Utica shale, a deep underground rock formation that lies beneath the more widely known Marcellus Shale. By using the same modern horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques, Yaw said, these wells can access large reserves of natural gas that would otherwise be unreachable.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Yaw's website at https://www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.

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