Oil and Gas Developments in New York in 1984

Abstract

In 1984, an estimated 720 wells were completed in New York. Completions for only 545 of these are nonconfidential and can be discussed in this report. 1984 may have been the best year ever for deeper gas well drilling in New York. One 7,000-ft dry wildcat was drilled in northern Vermont, but no data about the well have been released. Exploratory drilling resulted in 1 new Medina gas pool discovery, 1 shallower pool Akron oil discovery, and 19 extensions to existing Medina sandstone gas fields in western New York. Oil production in 1984 was 952,000 bbl, and gas production was 26,000 mmcf. At year end, the price for New York stripper crude was $26.40/bbl. In 1984, 68 crew-weeks of reflection seismic work were accomplished in New York. A contract carriage bill authorizing the transportation of customer-owned gas for those using 25 mmcf or more annually was passed by the state legislature. A bill to aid title clearing was also passed. The State Public Service Commission mandated a 40-in. depth of burial for gas pipelines and now requires steel pipe be used within 150 ft of habitable buildings. Another PSC ruling requires a hearing process when certain line pressures are to be increased to more than 125 lb/in.2. The new reports and financial security legislation will have a large impact on drilling. This requires several new reports to be filed and establishes higher bonding limits for eventual plugging of wells. In 1984, an abatement order halted drilling and production from the northern end of the Akron trend in Chautauqua County. The order was vacated early in 1985. Akron trend and Medina sandstone drilling will continue in 1985. Increased seismic work will lead to an increase in drilling for Oriskany structural traps and Cambro-Ordovician objectives in 1985 and later years. Because of the gas surplus, a trend toward increasing regulatory activity, and uncertainty about the effects of possible federal tax law changes, drilling may decline in 1985.