N.W. Pa. oil museum drilling geothermal wells

TITUSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Deep wells are being drilled in the northwestern Pennsylvania town where the modern oil industry was born — but this time they’re after heat.

Workers have been drilling 30 geothermal wells on the grounds of the Drake Well Museum in Titusville since last month.

Edwin Drake is credited with drilling the first successful oil well in Titusville, about 85 miles north of Pittsburgh, in 1859.

Museum officials say the 400-foot deep wells will supply water to heat the museum. Site administrator Barbara Zolli says the wells will reduce the museum’s utility costs.

The new geothermal wells are one element of a capitol improvement project that includes renovations to the museum and a new exhibit.