Shale drilling at Delaware River basin is temporarily halted
The anticipated Marcellus shale drilling boom has been put on hold in the Delaware River basin, at least for now.
The Delaware River Basin Commission announced today that it has placed exploratory drilling under its jurisdiction, meaning that energy companies must obtain regulatory approval before sinking any new exploratory wells.
Commission Executive Director Carol Collier says Monday's decision will help project ground and surface water. She says it will also remove any incentive for gas companies to classify their wells as exploratory and sink them without DRBC review.
The move temporarily halts all Marcellus drilling in the Delaware basin. The commission last month declared a moratorium on new shale drilling projects until regulations are drafted, but exploratory wells had been exempt.