This week, Gulfport Energy reported a dramatic increase in its end-of-year proved natural gas reserves, mostly in the Utica shale formation. The Oklahoma-based company operates four rigs and has drilled over 150 wells in Ohio. However, Gulfport also indicated that it had to seek out additional transportation means due to delays in the Rover Pipeline approval process:
Gulfport also reported that it has arranged transport of additional natural gas from November 2016 through March 2017 because of delays in the ET Rover Pipeline across northern Ohio.
That $4.4 billion pipeline will be delayed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s review of the pipeline that would run 800 miles with various extensions into Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
It would run from Carroll County to Defiance in northwest Ohio. It would pass through parts of Wayne and Stark counties.
Initial plans called for construction to begin in early 2016 but the federal agency has said its review will continue through July.
The Coalition for the Expansion of Pipeline Infrastructure is encouraged by Gulfport’s production report – the company continues to make strides in accessing domestic energy sources. At the same time, Gulfport’s inability to transport these resources to market underscores the need for increased pipeline infrastructure. At a time when our nation stands to greatly benefit from increased access to our natural resources, the Federal Energy Commission should take every step to ensure an expedient review of projects like the Rover Pipeline that will enable widespread access.