Hull || Services|| Shale Oil and Gas

The unprecedented growth in shale oil and gas plays throughout the United States promises to change the economic landscape for decades to come.  The Marcellus Shale is among the largest unconventional natural gas reserves in the world.  This natural gas reserve will have significant positive impacts on the regional economy and the nation’s energy and environmental resources.  Likewise, the gas, wet gas and oil potential of the Utica Shale may prove-out to be just as significant of a shale play as the Marcellus Shale.  Hull recognizes that these shale plays are among the most exciting, complex and challenging economic developments to occur in this region in many decades.  Because producers, service companies and drilling companies face a plethora of engineering and environmental obstacles, Hull has made a long term commitment to provide engineering and environmental support services to this industry.  Our team of seasoned professionals is known throughout the Appalachian Basin for creative solutions to complex problems.  We have strong relationships with regulators from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia as well as decision makers in sensitive watersheds such as the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) and the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).  We understand that there is no time clock when it comes to drilling operations and we’re ready and able to put our expertise, experience and relationships to work for you.

Accordingly, our reputation and expertise allows us to provide support to Marcellus and Utica owners and operators in the following areas:

• Water Resource Development – locating and developing fresh water and suitable large volume mine pool sources of recyclable water following best practices and meeting expectations of the state regulators and the SRBC and DRBC.
• Baseline Potable Water Source Assessments (pre-drill surveys) - to avoid the potential for future disputes regarding neighboring potable water quality.
• Water Treatment, Disposal and Discharge Options – we have relationships with technology vendors focusing specifically on solutions for produced water.  The technologies address both oil and grease and brine issues. In addition to permitting, Hull can arrange to provide turnkey operations for most aspects of produced water management.  Hull also has assembled a team in order to help clients evaluate whether Class II injection wells in Ohio are appropriate for their needs.
• Ecological Studies - as these may pertain to siting of drilling pads, installation of pipelines and documenting baseline conditions to avoid the potential for disputes regarding perceived impacts to the environment.
• Well Permitting and Discharge Permitting - ranging from water production wells, gas wells and injection wells.
• Site Assessment - sampling, pilot testing, remedial design and remediation should the need arise.
• Waste Management - our company has over 30 years of waste management experience and can provide expertise in the areas of management including the design, permitting, construction services and operations/compliance of monofills for specific drilling derived waste streams.
• Regulatory Support - our professional staff are local and well known in the Appalachian Basin including regulators at Ohio EPA, Ohio DNR, NY DEC, PA DCNR, PA DEP, WV DEP, as well as the SRBC and the DRBC.
• Renewable Energy - remote power sources for well site support and operations as well as distributed generation.
• Civil Engineering and Construction Management – site design, drilling pad design, geotechnical studies, slope stability, access roads, storm water management, bid assistance, construction testing, construction administration, and site restoration.
• Geographic Information Systems - (GIS) services.

Finally, should your operation find itself in a situation of having to deal with environmental impacts due to leaks or spills of drilling fluids, stored fuels or other regulated materials associated with your construction, drilling, handling of flowback water – whether or not your impacts are real or perceived – our Rapid Response Consulting services teams are on call around the clock and able to work for you to identify and mitigate environmental problems.

We are certain that our safe, cost-effective, “get it done” approach will ensure that your time is focused on your core business and not unnecessary distractions. 

To find out how Hull can help, please contact Don Zuch at (412) 466.0315 or dzuch@hullinc.com.