VIENNA -- Martin Wollam said CNX already had a lease on the land, a gas well from 1975 or so. Probably a Clinton Shale well, but he cant recall for sure.
CONSOL Energy announced Tuesday that it would begin drilling on Wollams property behind Warner Road in what will be the first exploration of Utica Shale in Trumbull County.
The drilling is expected to begin June 9, and roadwork will begin by the end of this month along Warner and Warren-Sharon Roads to prepare for the heavy truck traffic to come.
I know its gonna be a nuisance for a little bit, but I think for the community its gonna be a benefit. I hope so anyway, he said.
Wollam has owned the property for 14 years, and when he was made aware of the existing lease, he said he saw no problems with having a new well drilled on the land behind his horse farm.
Wollam said he sees the road repairs as an upfront benefit and said the company has already begun testing all wells, ponds and aquifers in the area. Wollam said his farm has a 20-foot-deep water well. He also isnt worried.
I cant imagine theyre gonna come in and cause any problems, he said. The guys Ive met with who are going to build the road have all been nice and they want it all to look good, and thats important to me.
Wollam said he will have to move the southernmost fences on his farm up a little bit and relocate a horse or two, but hardly finds the ordeal tedious.
The drilling pad will be approximately 200 yards south of Warren Sharon Road and about 150 yards west of Warner Road.
Across Warner Road, at Eikoras nursery and greenhouse, Randy Suchanek said he isnt the least bit worried about the drilling or the truck traffic.
I dont think itll have any effect. Theyll be in and out in a few weeks and hes far enough away from me, I dont think itll have any impact, he said. Im all for the drilling. Itll bring jobs to the area.
Next door to Eikoras, Tim Pullin is slightly apprehensive.
My concern is if they get in there and drill and find out its producing and they want to drill horizontal. Isnt that going to create gaps between the rock formations? he said. Pullin worries about more seismic activity from gas-related industry.
He also worries about the underground spring that runs below his property, but said he appreciates that the company has been testing the water.
Pullin said hes seen the county workers checking the road for construction, but cant see how the trucks are going to travel the road without it being widened. He said some semi-trucks have already had trouble with the road.
Overall he said hes willing to let it play out and see what comes.
As long as theyre cautious environmentally, I dont really care, he said.
The well is only an exploratory vertical well for the time being, CONSOL spokeswoman Lynn Seay said Tuesday. The company is attempting to gauge the potential of their acreage in the county, but could apply later for a permit to drill horizontally if the well shows promise.
The county is also in talks with Houston-based Carrizo gas for another well in Vienna, along Ridge Road, and one along Hayes Orangeville Road in Hartford.