Byesville Rotarians learn about Guernsey County oil and gas development

Pictured: Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations, OOGA; and Shana Fair, President Byesville Rotary.

Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations for Ohio Oil and Gas Association, spoke to the Byesville Rotary. Chadsey described the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (affectionately nicknamed OOGA) as a trade association representing all facets of the oil and gas industry in Ohio.

OOGA members include the oil and natural gas producers seen drilling in Guernsey County, national oil and natural gas producing companies, plus international oil and natural gas companies. Chadsey stated that the U.S. is the largest national gas producer and Russia is number 2. Together, Ohio and Pennsylvania rank number 3. The discovery of Ohio’s oil shale has given Ohio a presence in the international oil and gas industry.

Chadsey shared a little-known fact that in 1814, Ohio had the first discovery of oil in the U.S. Landowners Thorla and McKee were drilling for slat brine to make salt. They found brine and some awful smelling stuff that created a nuisance for them by polluting their salt brine. Salt evaporated from the brine was valuable and could be sold for preserving and flavoring food and raising livestock. The black smelly stuff was not considered valuable until 1859 when refining made it useful for use in homes.

Drilling companies active on our area include Encino Energy, Ascent Resources, Montage Resources and EQT—the oldest and largest company in the U.S. Chadsey pointed out the currently many drilling companies are consolidating so we should expect names to change. Currently, Ohio produces more gas than it consumes

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Chadsey explained that the oil shale and the drilling companies are the bottom level of a complex of industries that are part of the oil and gas industry. This complex of associated industries may take up to 10 years to develop.

Industries and businesses drawn to an oil and gas producing area include natural gas power plants such as the one being built along I 77 and south of I 70. Another level of industry is the ethane cracker plants which break the ethane into its chemical components which are used to produce plastic such as polyethylene. A final level of industry is the establishment of plastic manufacturing plants which like to be located near to the plastic supplies they need.

Chadsey pointed out that our area has advantages other than oil shale—good weather for one—in this case no hurricanes which can force power plants to close down. Additionally, Guernsey County is within a 1-day drive to 50% of North American markets.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690