February 23, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Order allowing the drilling of a second gas well (called a twin well) close to existing Antrim gas wells in Otsego and Montmorency Counties. To date, about 7800 Antrim gas wells have been drilled, producing about 20 percent of the natural gas used in Michigan.

Under Michigan law, the DEQ establishes a drilling unit – a tract of land on which a well may be drilled – for each oil or gas reservoir in the state. Most Antrim wells tap only the lower part of the shale formation, which has the richest gas content. In recent years, gas producers have found that the upper part of the Antrim Shale and some of the overlying shale beds can also produce commercial quantities of gas.

The new Supervisor of Wells Order (A) 24 8 05 allows a twin well to be drilled between 25 feet and 75 feet from an existing well, provided that specific safeguards are followed. Each proposed twin well would still require an individual permit to drill and operate, and would undergo a thorough review. Drilling of twin wells can provide significant additional natural gas reserves with very little additional impact to environmental values. The twin wells would use existing roads, pipelines, compressors, and other equipment.

The DEQ held public meetings on this issue to provide information about the proposal and to hear public comments and concerns.

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

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised February 23, 2006 by Pat Watson