HARRISBURG, Pa., April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an
effort to increase efficiency and consistency, the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) now collects natural gas production
data from operators of unconventional 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.
For more information, or to view the production data, visit
www.dep.state.pa.us and click the "Gas Production Reports"
button.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda
Witman, 717-787-1323
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-dep-begins-to-collect-monthly-natural-gas-production-data-300059740.html
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection