US gas producer EQT is to put on hold a test programme in the emerging Deep Utica shale play in Pennsylvania to focus on its Marcellus position as it completes its purchase of Appalachian rival Rice Energy, writes Luke Johnson.
Pittsburgh-based EQT said last week that the merger with Rice will allow it to drill longer laterals in the Marcellus that will result in wells that provide returns that are "higher than the return expected on the average Utica well today".
