More than 65,000 acres are leased in Susquehanna & Wayne counties and Hess has stated their intentions to start drilling for gas by mid-2010. The work will be done by the partner, Newfield Exploration Co. The firms concern for this promising venture? WATER

Delaware River Basin Commission and DEP who Hess is dealing with for surface-water withdrawl. To safeguard the land, Hess and Newfield employees are going to be on site 24-7 to monitor operations. Large northeast markets and major pipelines make the Marcellus drilling especially attractive to Hess.