MarkWest Energy, Energy & Minerals Group complete Utica shale-gas project agreement

Geosynthetic materials opportunities in Ohio

MarkWest Energy Partners L.P. (MarkWest) and The Energy & Minerals Group (EMG) announced in a Feb. 21 press release their completion of a joint venture to invest $950 million toward the development of Utica shale-gas operations in Ohio.

The release noted that Houston-based EMG had previously said it was boosting its capital investment in the joint venture from $500 million to $950 million because of the promising developments in the region’s natural gas production.

The additional contributions from EMG provide MarkWest with financial flexibility in the timing of its capital contributions to the project, according to the release.

(The geosynthetic opportunities associated with shale gas drilling are numerous and could include every type of geosynthetic material. Specific applications that have been identified and implemented at well sites include: spill, pond, and landfill liners; roads, parking, and staging areas; walls and slopes; secondary containment; turf reinforcement, temporary dams, and erosion control.)