Ohio oil/gas production hits expected slowdown

June 24, 2016 at 11:28p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The state’s oil and natural-gas production has hit a much-expected slowdown.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported a year-over-year first-quarter increase in 2016, but fourth-quarter 2015 production compared with first-quarter 2016 production shows a drop in oil and just a slight increase in natural gas.

Natural-gas production in the state during the fourth quarter of 2015 was 302,505,428 billion cubic feet; in the first quarter of 2016, the state produced 329,537,838 billion cubic feet.

Oil production in the state dropped from 6,249,116 barrels reported in the fourth quarter of 2015 to 5,485,854 barrels reported in the first quarter of 2016.

“We are finally starting to see the drop in oil,” said Shawn Bennett, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. “Natural-gas production should also decrease. This is the smallest increase we have seen.”

MAHONING county

Mahoning County was the only county in the Valley to see a quarter-over-quarter increase in both its oil and gas production. Inic feet.

TRUMBULL county

Trumbull County’s production showed a decrease in both comparisons.

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

In Columbiana County, the Valley’s major producer, natural-gas production numbers varied, while oil production showed a consistent drop year-over-year and quarter-to-quarter.

PRICE IMPACT

OOGA expected to see oil production decline given the state of the industry.

Read more about the situation in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.