OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Gas giant Chesapeake Energy Corp. said it has decided not to drill natural gas wells in the New York City watershed to focus on areas that are more promising.
Chesapeake faced mounting concerns that its activity in the New York City watershed could impact the quality of drinking-water reservoirs.
Chesapeake said it has become "increasingly clear" that concerns regarding gas drilling in the New York City watershed are a "needless distraction" to larger developments in the region.
The company touted its ability to use environmentally friendly technologies for developing and producing natural gas, but decided it was not worth the risk.
"Though Chesapeake believes it can drill safely in any watershed, including New York City's as confirmed by New York's Department of Environmental Conservation's supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement, we have chosen to focus our efforts on more promising areas for gas development in the state," said Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake's chief executive officer.
Chesapeake is active in the development of gas shale deposits in North America.
In the Marcellus Shale deposits in the Appalachian Basin, gross daily production for Chesapeake reached 100 million cubic feet from approximately 60 wells.
