Marcellus Drilling News (a great source for information about oil and gas development in  the Marcellus/Utica area) is reporting that Northeast Natural Energy has hired a new rig.  Right now, it seems that NNE is working exclusively in Monongalia County, WV, using leases that it bought from Chesapeake and leases that it is buying up itself.  NNE is going after Marcellus shale production there, which strikes me as odd because Chesapeake pulled up stakes in Monongalia County back in 2009 because it had drilled a few wells and the production was disappointing.  At least, that’s what the scuttlebutt was between the landmen that were working on the project.  With gas prices lower than they were then, it doesn’t make much sense for NNE to be drilling where CHK quit.  There must be some other factors in play that we aren’t aware of.  Nevertheless, best of luck to NNE.  We’re always glad to see that somebody is drilling and taking leases in West Virginia.