Welcome to the Ohio Energy Advocates News & Updates page, your trusted source for information affecting Ohio landowners, mineral rights, and oil and gas development.
We track the latest activity in the Ohio Statehouse, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and major energy operators across the Basin. Our goal is to help landowners stay informed, protected, and prepared for every opportunity that impacts their property and lease rights.
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Dec 2, 2025

Published: November 12, 2025
EOG Resources reported stronger-than-expected results in its third-quarter update following its recent acquisition of Encino Energy. The company now controls roughly 1.1 million leased acres in the Utica, which EOG has designated as one of its key “foundational plays.”
According to EOG’s Executive VP & COO, Jeffrey Leitzell, Utica production volumes outperformed expectations in 3Q25, driven in part by the successful drilling of a new dry gas well and strong base production from the former Encino assets.
The update signals continued investment and development across eastern Ohio, as EOG integrates and expands the acreage it acquired earlier this year.
OEA continues to monitor Utica activity and its potential impact on leasing, pooling, and landowner negotiations throughout the region.

Energy Companies | Gulfport Energy | Ohio | Statewide
November 6, 2025
Gulfport Energy — already the third-largest driller in Ohio’s Utica Shale by total wells drilled — announced in its third-quarter update that it is moving full steam ahead with natural gas development across eastern Ohio.
The company reported a major expansion of its Marcellus drilling inventory, nearly tripling future locations by adding approximately 125 new gross drilling sites. This aggressive move underscores Gulfport’s long-term commitment to Ohio’s natural gas potential.
In addition, Gulfport confirmed the successful completion of two Utica U-development test wells, validating new drilling feasibility and unlocking an estimated 20 additional dry gas locations. These results mark an important milestone in maximizing output across both the Marcellus and Utica formations.
For Ohio landowners, the message is clear — drilling and lease activity are accelerating statewide, and new development zones are being opened through deeper and more efficient well designs.
OEA continues to monitor these developments to help landowners understand their lease options and secure the strongest possible terms before signing new agreements.

Published: November 2025
Source: Marcellus Drilling News
Antero Resources, the largest Marcellus/Utica (M-U) driller in West Virginia, released its Q3 2025 update with two significant announcements. One is that newly appointed CEO Michael Kennedy is "excited" for the company to return to dry gas drilling after "more than a decade," with the first new dry gas well specifically intended to service the data center market. Second, we can confirm our prior speculation to say that Antero is officially marketing its Ohio Utica assets for sale.
Antero’s shift back to dry-gas drilling and the decision to market its Ohio Utica assets highlights new opportunities for mineral rights owners.
For Ohio landowners holding minerals or leases within the Utica play, these announcements could have meaningful implications:
1. Assets coming up for sale mean possible repositioning.
When a major operator like Antero markets acreage, new buyers may enter the area—sometimes with different lease terms or royalty structures. That means current landowners may have leverage to revisit bonus, royalty, or term discussions.
2. Renewed drilling focus on dry gas may renew interest in previously overlooked acreage.
Antero’s emphasis on servicing specific markets (like data centers) from dry-gas wells suggests that the type of assets favored by buyers is evolving. Landowners should ensure their leases and mineral rights align with what the market now values.
3. Timing is important—now may be a good moment to get a professional review.
With change in the air, landowners approached by companies should pause and evaluate offers carefully. A qualified evaluation may be key to understanding current benchmark rates and how your rights stack up before committing.

Date: October 30, 2025
Expand Energy, following its 2024 merger of Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy, has expanded its Appalachian footprint by acquiring approximately 7,500 net acres in the Marcellus play across Ohio and West Virginia for about $57 million, contributing to a larger Q3 acquisition of roughly 82,500 acres. Marcellus Drilling News+1
The new acreage is estimated to support 40+ well locations, signaling potential increased drilling and development activity in eastern Ohio’s core shale areas. Marcellus Drilling News+1
At Ohio Energy Advocates, we closely track acreage expansions because they often precede heightened operator activity and changes in lease status. If your property is within or adjacent to Expand Energy’s newly added acreage, we recommend a lease review now to verify your protections and ensure you’re well-positioned ahead of any development.
Source:
“Expand Energy 3Q Added 7,500 Acres to ‘Core Marcellus’ in OH, WV,” Marcellus Drilling News, October 30, 2025. Marcellus Drilling News+1

EnCap Investments L.P., one of the largest private-equity firms in the U.S. energy sector, has completed a $2.0 billion continuation vehicle to support PennEnergy Resources, a leading Marcellus Shale operator with assets across Pennsylvania and the broader Appalachian Basin.
👉 Read the full announcement from BusinessWire (Oct 26 2025)
Ohio Energy Advocates monitors investment and ownership shifts across the Appalachian Basin to anticipate changes that could affect Ohio mineral owners.
If your lease or royalty payments are tied to a company acquired or recapitalized through a fund like EnCap’s, OEA can review the transfer documents and ensure that your original lease terms remain enforceable.
Source:
BusinessWire, “EnCap Investments Closes on $2.0 Billion PennEnergy Continuation Vehicle”, Oct 26 2025.
Recent data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and industry reports show a rise in new drilling permits across Ohio’s Utica Shale, reflecting continued momentum in the region’s natural gas development.
👉 Read more at Marcellus Drilling News
Ohio Energy Advocates continues to monitor ODNR’s weekly permit filings to identify new units and development trends that may affect Ohio mineral owners.
If you receive a notice of pooling or drilling activity near your property, OEA can help review your lease, confirm the unit boundaries, and ensure your compensation and surface protections are correctly applied.
Source:
Marcellus Drilling News, “Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Issue 37 New Shale Permits (Oct 13–19 2025)”.
Ohio lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 219, a comprehensive proposal to reform the state’s oil and gas statutes. The bill would create a new Oil & Gas Resolution and Remediation Fund (OGRRF) to support well-plugging and orphan-well clean-up efforts.
👉 Read more from Ohio Capital Journal (Oct 16 2025)
📄 View the official Bill Text and Legislative Analysis and Ohio Legislature Bill Page.
Industry commentary: Ohio Oil & Gas Association (OOGA)
Ohio Energy Advocates recommends that landowners review existing oil and gas leases now, focusing on unitization, pooling, and termination clauses, to be ready if SB 219 becomes law.
OEA will continue monitoring the bill’s progress and issue alerts as it advances through committee.
Sources:

Date: May 30, 2025
EOG Resources announced it will acquire Encino Acquisition Partners for $5.6 billion (inclusive of net debt), greatly bolstering its presence in the Ohio‐Utica Shale. EOG Resources, Inc.+2Reuters+2
Under the deal, EOG will gain approximately 675,000 net core acres, boosting its Utica position to about 1.1 million net acres and expanding its total resource base to more than 12 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Reuters+1
Ohio Energy Advocates is monitoring this transaction closely. If you hold a lease with Encino or with acreage near their Ohio operations, now is a good time to have OEA review your lease for pooling, unitization and assignment provisions. We’ll alert you to important changes stemming from this acquisition.
Source:
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