Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK), Markwest Energy Partners LP (MWE): Don’t Count out the Utica Shale Just Yet

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In just the past year alone, it has completed 60 miles of gathering pipelines, commenced operations at two major gas plants in the region, and hammered out agreements with a handful of major operators, including Gulfport Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:GPOR) , Antero Resources, PDC Energy Inc (NASDAQ:PDCE), Rex Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:REXX), and – most recently – CNX NIFTY (NSE:NIFTY).

Markwest Energy Partners LP (NYSE:MWE)’s Cadiz processing complex, which lies in the heart of the play’s rich gas region, is already operating near full capacity. To cater to the high demand, the company plans to install an additional 200 million cubic feet per day processing plant at Cadiz in the second quarter of 2014.

Over the next 12 months, Markwest Energy Partners LP (NYSE:MWE) plans to complete an additional 200 miles of gathering pipelines, boost processing capacity by 800 million cubic feet per day, and commission a third fractionation complex in the Northeast. This is definitely one midstream company worth keeping a close eye on if you’re optimistic about production growth in the Utica.

The article Don’t Count out the Utica Shale Just yet originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Arjun Sreekumar.

Fool contributor Arjun Sreekumar has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Spectra Energy.. The Motley Fool has the following options: Long Jan 2014 $20 Calls on Chesapeake Energy, Long Jan 2014 $30 Calls on Chesapeake Energy, and Short Jan 2014 $15 Puts on Chesapeake Energy.

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