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Permalink Reply by James Foster on August 12, 2014 at 8:16am

Every horizontal well has a vertical well that is drilled first. The horizontal part of the well may not begin until 4000 feet down depending on the depth of the formation. The horizontal well is what is fracked in the marcellus and utica shale formations. Fracking is done in shale to release the gas, oil, ngls from the shale. Are vertical only wells still drilled. Yes in other formations all over the US including Ohio. All wells are documented on ODNR oil and gas website so you can look up any well and see what formation, type of well, etc. Are vertical wells fracked ...yes sometimes. Google and read about Roberts Torpedo developed during the Civil War and last used in the 80's I think. Nitroglycerin was used to "frack" wells. Brine has also been used to create pressure in wells to bring oil to surface and has been known to get into aquifer and ruin water wells.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis J on August 12, 2014 at 8:27am

I do understand that, I am wondering if the vertical well is on each land owners property? I have 38 acres and they have been pooling 650 acres. So will every land owner need a vertical well?

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Permalink Reply by James Foster on August 12, 2014 at 8:53am

No whoever gets the pad gets all the vertical wells. We are in a unit roughly 640 acres with three wells going south east. Off the same pad will be three wells going northwest. It is a different unit. Some pads have 10 even twelve wells. Most are 1000 feet apart going on the assumption they can frack and draw product from 500 feet and that is Ohio law 500 feet from non leased land. Some companies have gotten permission to put laterals within a unit 750 and 500 feet apart while still 500 feet on end lateral and unleased acres. I think it remains to be seen if this closer spacing increases production enough to be worth the expense. Most of the oil and gas in a formation is not extracted. Companies always looking for ways to get more of it out of the ground.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis J on August 12, 2014 at 11:09am

I own the minerals underground but not the surface rights, not sure if I own anything if no one is able to get to it.

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Permalink Reply by James Foster on August 12, 2014 at 5:10pm

If you own the mineral rights I believe you have the right to lease it and have access to them.  If the well pad is on someone else and the lateral goes into the property where you own the mineral rights you will be paid.  Did you sign a lease yet?  If the well pad is on the surface rights owners they may be mad but I think there is not much they can do about it.  Most companies would not attempt that and maybe end up in court.  Hopefully they can place the well pad on someone else who is a willing participant and is getting $25,000 to $30, 000 for having the pad and getting an in lieu of payment instead of free gas.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis J on August 13, 2014 at 1:52am

I own the right for the machine that tests if anything is underground but no heavy equipment, no pads. I do own all underground minerals,

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Permalink Reply by Dennis J on August 26, 2014 at 3:49am

While my property was up for sale, I did not sell it. There was too much concern about the mineral rights that I have never leased. I own both surface and underground rights. So I suppose I am in an ok position to see if anything happens in my area.

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