June 22, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, July 13, to discuss a proposal that could substantially increase the production of natural gas from the Antrim Shale in northern Michigan. The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the University Center in Gaylord, located just east of Old US 27 (Center Avenue), about one and one-quarter miles north of M-32.

Natural gas is produced from the Antrim Shale formation in a broad area stretching from Antrim and Kalkaska Counties on the west to Alpena and Alcona Counties on the east, and from a few outlying areas. To date, about 7800 Antrim gas wells have been drilled. They produce about 20 percent of the natural gas used in Michigan.

Most of the wells tap only the lower part of the shale formation. Recently, the Michigan Oil and Gas Association (MOGA) petitioned the DEQ for an Order to allow the drilling of additional wells to tap the upper part of the shale in Otsego and Montmorency Counties. If the proposal is approved, a second well (called a “twin” well) could be drilled between 25 and 200 feet from an existing well. The twin wells would use existing roads, pipelines, compressors, and other equipment, but could produce significant additional natural gas. A twin well would still require a thorough review and an individual permit from the DEQ.

The public meeting will provide interested citizens with an opportunity to learn about the proposal and to voice any concerns they may have. Representatives of the DEQ, the Department of Natural Resources, and natural gas producers will be present to provide information and answer questions. For additional information on the public meeting, please contact Susan Maul of the DEQ, at (517) 241 1515. A formal hearing on the proposal will be held later this summer.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised June 22, 2005 by Pat Watson