A new study by WVU has found evidence that the Utica shale is much larger than previously believed.  The study says that the Utica could be just as big as the Marcellus, previously believed to be the largest shale play in the country.

The Utica is quite a bit deeper than the Marcellus, between 4,000 and 12,000 feet deeper depending on the region you’re looking at.  It’s shallowest over in Ohio, and dives down at about the West Virginia border, and is at its deepest in New York.  The depth creates additional challenges (translation: expenses) for drillers.

The Utica underlies a lot of West Virginia, and while it’s not being developed heavily in every possible location, it will be someday.  West Virginia lessors need to know that even if the other shale formations that could be produced are never produced, the Marcellus and the Utica are both very likely to be produced.