Hart Energy honored the biggest, best and most efficient E&Ps in the Appalachian Basin’s Marcellus and Utica shales at the recent 2025 DUG Appalachia Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh.
The Marcellus Shale accounts for over 30% of U.S. natural gas output. And the Utica remains a key driver of liquids-rich gas production, significantly contributing to the region’s energy portfolio.
Honorees were chosen by Hart Energy’s editorial leadership from among companies operating in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Viriginia. Editors evaluated operator metrics and estimates, provided by companies including analytics firm Novi Labs, to get a view of companies’ drilling programs, cost efficiency, production, inventory preservation and other performance indicators.
Hart Energy’s DUG Honors program recognizes the operational achievements of top private producers in the region—including companies that may be the next M&A target, IPO candidate or breakthrough innovator.
Total Cumulative Production (boe/d): Ascent Resources
Oklahoma City-based Ascent Resources was honored for Total Cumulative Production (boe/d) in a ranking of private operators based on their oil and gas production in Appalachia as of March 1.
“We are honored to be recognized as a top private company in the Appalachia Basin and to share the stage with some great operators,” Ascent Resources Chairman and CEO Jeff Fisher told Hart Energy. “Since our founding in 2013, we built this company at scale with the talent to compete at the highest levels in our great industry."
From the start, Ascent identified the Utica play as central to its operations due to its hydrocarbon diversity and productivity potential, Fisher said.
Ascent’s success in the region is one of the company’s goals of becoming a top 10 U.S. natural gas producer, while also generating oil and NGL production.
“We are proud to excel in a business that drives foundational benefits to human flourishing, and I am proud of our team for delivering excellence throughout our business,” Fisher said.
Ascent Resources is a private E&P established to acquire, explore for, develop and produce natural gas, oil and NGL reserves in the Appalachian Basin.
Inventory Quality Preservation: Northeast Natural Energy
West Virginia-based Northeast Natural Energy received the award for Inventory Quality Preservation.
Operators were ranked based on the relative quality of their proved undeveloped (PUD) inventory compared to their own historical proved developed producing (PDP) wells.
Northeast demonstrated excellence in retaining the strongest portion of its likely best performing locations for future development, regardless of the overall quality of their asset base.
Northeast Natural Energy is an independent oil and gas company.
Lateral Length per $1000 Drilling & Completion: Snyder Brothers
Pennsylvania-based Snyder Brothers Inc. received the award for Lateral Length per $1000 Drilling & Completion, recognizing the most cost-effective operator in terms of lateral drilling performance per dollar spent.
“Snyder Brothers is honored to be recognized by Hart Energy and the DUG [Appalachia] community. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team along with all our vendors,” Bryan Snyder, vice president of Snyder Brothers, told Hart Energy.
The privately held, family-run company attributed its success to its focus on optimizing operations and controlling expenses while maintaining safety and production standards.
The approach emphasizes technical advancement alongside financial discipline in drilling operations, Snyder said.
Snyder Brothers is one of the largest, privately funded, independent producers of natural gas in Pennsylvania.
The company produces more than 300 MMcf/d in Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion, Warren, Jefferson, Fayette, Westmoreland, McKean, Butler and Clearfield counties.
Cost vs. Revenue Efficiency: PennEnergy Resources
Pittsburgh-based PennEnergy Resources was honored for best Cost vs. Revenue Efficiency based on its net present value generated per foot of lateral drilled (NPV10/ft) on average per well.
The measure shows how efficiently operators design their wells to generate profits, identifying which companies get the best economic returns for every foot they drill.
PennEnergy is an independent oil and gas company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional shale resources in the Appalachian Basin.
“PennEnergy appreciates the recognition of Novi Labs and Hart Energy as a top private producer in Appalachia,” President Ben Bates said. The award “is a testament to the hard work of the entire team and the continued excellence of their efforts. PennEnergy realizes significant returns both at the wellhead and the corporate level—our best days are still ahead of us.”
Most Efficient Completion to Maximize Initial IP: Blackhill Energy
Blackhill Energy won for Most Efficient Completion to Maximize Initial IP. Operators were ranked based on average boe/d production at IP30 per pound of proppant/ foot per well.
This metric highlights operators that are getting the best initial boe/d scaled for completion intensity.
“We’re grateful to receive the DUG Honors award for well completion efficiency at Hart Energy’s DUG Appalachia Conference,” Vice President and General Manager of Blackhill Energy James Elsen told Hart Energy.
“This recognition reflects the quality of our wells and our commitment to safe, responsible operations, but above all, it’s a tribute to the dedication, skill, and ability of our team. Their hard work, quiet commitment, and daily focus are what make results like this possible.”