The rumors are true; CONSOL ENERGY Inc. and the Allegheny County Airport Authority have recently unveiled a proposed plan for drilling at the Pittsburgh International Airport property.
The plan intends to have a total of 47 Marcellus wells, with the potential to drill Upper Devonian wells in the future. Any development of the Upper Devonian formation would occur on the existing pad locations and use the same infrastructure.
CONSOL officials report they won’t be 100% sure of the project’s potential until they begin drilling and can conduct analysis of core testing, which is estimated to occur July of 2014.
Approximately 17 miles of gas line (11 on airport property) and 12 miles of water line will be used to deliver gas to market and provide water for well completions. CONSOL Energy has no plans to construct new public roads on airport property and will be able to rely on existing roads without any disruption to daily airport traffic.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald said, “The expected revenues will allow us to lower cos
ts at the airport and attract additional flights. It ensures that our taxpayers do not have to pick up additional costs at the airport, and it allows us to support infrastructure and other development near the airport easing the burden on taxpayer funds.”

CONSOL Energy and the ACAA are currently conducting the Environmental Assessment that will be reviewed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The final Environmental Assessment document is scheduled to be submitted to the FAA by ACAA for approval in December 2013.

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Kelly Grago was born and raised in the quaint town of Sewickley, Pennsylvania. She is a recent graduate of Robert Morris University where she earned a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Kelly currently works as an Intern in External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation where her responsibilities include writing for Cabot’s social media, scheduling content and event planning.