About Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Gas Opportunity

The following facts were taken from the Pennsylvania Economy League’s November 2008 research titled, “The Economic Impact of the Oil and Gas Industry in Pennsylvania”.

• The industry's direct economic impact, which includes drilling, extraction and support activities, brings in $4.5 billion each year. In addition, the increased demand for energy has brought this industry to the forefront of economic development.
• These economic contributions are driven by the jobs and wages earned by working Pennsylvanians. More than 26,000 men and women hold full- and part-time positions that can be traced to direct, indirect and induced jobs supported by oil and gas development.
• Oil and gas workers earn competitive salaries. Their annual average compensation of $63,000 is $20,000 higher than the salaries of private sector employees in Pennsylvania. 
• Another large contribution is found in the industry's payments to landowners who lease property for oil and gas drilling activity. More than $200 million is given each year to landowners in the form of lease payments. 

Once a well is drilled and producing gas, landowners share in the benefits from royalty payments that are paid over the life of the well. These payments, made directly to property owners, are a dominant source of wealth and sustainment for property owners, particularly in rural counties. The payments have grown tremendously in recent years with the increase in production efforts.