Range Resources
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas exploration and production |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Fort Worth, Texas , United States |
| Products | Natural gas, natural gas liquids, petroleum |
Range Resources Corporation is a company specializing in natural gas exploration and production, with its headquarters located in Fort Worth, Texas. Its primary operations are concentrated in the Marcellus Formation, where it holds the distinction of being the largest landholder.
As of December 31, 2021, the firm reported estimated proved reserves totaling 17.775 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, composed of 67% natural gas, 31% natural gas liquids, and 2% petroleum.
History
Originally established in 1976 under the name Lomak Petroleum in Hartville, Ohio, the company began by drilling wells in eastern Ohio. It shifted its main office to Fort Worth, Texas in 1992.
In 1997, Lomak expanded by acquiring American Cometra for $385 million, securing assets in the Permian Basin, and also purchased properties from Cabot Oil & Gas for $92.5 million. The subsequent year saw the acquisition of Domain Energy for $214 million and a corporate rebranding to Range Resources Corporation.
By 1999, Range entered into a joint venture with FirstEnergy, creating Great Lakes Energy Partners LLC, each holding a 50% stake to oversee assets within the Appalachian Basin. In 2004, Range obtained full ownership by paying $290 million and assuming associated debt.
Before its significant expansion into the Marcellus Shale, Range maintained a limited presence in Texas' Barnett Shale and operated roughly 9,000 mature wells across Appalachia. Geologist William Zagorski applied hydraulic fracturing methods developed from Barnett Shale projects to Appalachian operations, achieving early success that supported further growth.
Range initiated its Marcellus Shale activities in Pennsylvania in 2004, commencing horizontal drilling and production by 2005. In 2007, it invested $200 million to increase its acreage holdings. The company also bolstered its Barnett Shale position through the acquisition of Stroud Energy for $450 million in 2006.
By 2010, Forbes recognized Range as the "King of the Marcellus Shale," highlighting its ability to acquire land at costs below $1,000 per acre compared to competitors paying as much as $14,000 per acre.
In 2014, Range traded its Permian Basin assets with EQT Corporation in exchange for interests in Virginia’s Nora Field plus $145 million in cash. The following year, it sold the Nora Field assets to EnerVest for $875 million.
The company's portfolio further expanded in 2016 through a $4.2 billion stock merger with Memorial Resource Development.
Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing
In 2010, Range Resources pledged to disclose on its website the chemicals involved in each well completed via hydraulic fracturing, specifying volume, concentration, and purpose. Nonetheless, court documents from 2011 revealed that the company lacked precise knowledge of the exact composition of its fracking fluids.
Water and air pollution in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Reports from This American Life and The New York Times brought attention to allegations that gas wells operated by Range Resources in Amwell Township and Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania were responsible for water and air contamination. Local residents described blackened water damaging fixtures, unpleasant odors reminiscent of "rotten eggs" (hydrogen sulfide), alongside symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, anemia, headaches, and nosebleeds. Medical examinations detected elevated levels of organic solvents and heavy metals including toluene and arsenic in blood samples. The company contested these assertions, referencing laboratory findings that attributed illnesses and animal fatalities to alternative causes.
A letter from Range Resources dated 2011 mentioned inconclusive veterinary assessments regarding animal poisoning incidents locally and concluded that toxicity was unrelated to antifreeze exposure.
One resident of Amwell Township observed pollution near a company-owned pond containing fracking chemical flowback—characterized by hissing noises and a red foamy oil slick producing "rainbow water." While Range attributed the odors to decomposing vegetation or anaerobic bacteria, chemical testing later identified acetone, toluene, benzene, phenol, arsenic, barium, heavy metals, and methane present. The company financed drilling a replacement well for the affected landowner; however, concerns over contamination remained. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection conducted two tests on this well during 2011 and found no evidence of contamination.
As of May 2010, Range Resources had paid fines totaling $219,875 within Pennsylvania. The largest penalty ($141,175) was issued due to a fracking fluid spill that resulted in fish deaths in Brush Creek—a waterway designated as "high-quality" by the state. Vice president Ray Walker stated that following this incident the company implemented major changes including switching pipe suppliers and designs as well as revising operational procedures.
In September 2014, Range was ordered to pay a $4.15 million fine settling violations connected to six Marcellus Shale gas drilling and fracking wastewater impoundments located in Washington County that caused contamination of soil and groundwater.
Water contamination concerns in Parker County, Texas
In 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency directive against the firm, accusing its drilling activities in Parker County, Texas of polluting at least two residential drinking water wells. The company contested these claims, arguing that the detected methane was due to natural migration that existed before their operations began. The EPA, however, asserted that the natural gas extraction by the company was responsible for the contamination and insisted on prompt remedial measures. The company responded by stating its investigations indicated methane had been present long before drilling commenced and probably originated from shallow gas formations beneath the aquifer.
A 2011 review conducted by Texas Railroad Commission personnel determined that the gas found in the water wells originated from the shallow Strawn Formation rather than the deeper Barnett Shale targeted by the company's drilling. Pressure tests confirmed the well casing remained intact. Neither the EPA nor affected homeowners provided evidence during this hearing.
By March 2012, the EPA rescinded its emergency order. The company suggested this development might support its $4.2 million defamation suit against a Parker County couple who had filed a $6.5 million claim alleging water contamination.
In December 2013, the federal Office of the Inspector General concluded that the EPA's issuance of the 2010 emergency order was justified and that its decision to withdraw it after securing groundwater monitoring agreements was reasonable.
Advocacy for zoning regulations
The company has backed public relations initiatives promoting permitted use zoning ordinances instead of conditional use zoning, which permits individual citizen review of Range's drilling activities near private properties. According to NPR, Mount Pleasant and its three citizen supervisors were significantly outmatched in a public relations contest with Range Resources following the township's adoption of conditional use zoning policies similar to those implemented in Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming. Range cautioned lessors that drilling might cease if conditional use zoning was enforced. Other municipalities adopting such zoning measures have faced litigation from Range Resources.
Employment of former military personnel to address opposition
On November 8, 2011, a company representative disclosed that Range had hired several former psy ops specialists with experience in managing local conflicts and governmental relations, underscoring the firm's tactical approach to handling community resistance.
Public relations efforts highlighting drilling benefits for landowners
In 2011, Range initiated the "My Range Resources" campaign featuring testimonials from landowners who financially benefited from drilling operations. Journalist Bob Myers observed that these advertisements highlighted "real Pennsylvanians" sharing favorable accounts. Unlike many gas companies focusing on Wall Street audiences, Range directed its messaging toward Main Street with statements such as "Natural gas has been ... a godsend to this area," voiced by farmers and business owners citing natural gas as a vital income source. Vice president Ray Walker stressed the company's dedication to responsibility, openness, and accessibility. PR agencies Big Picture Communications and Downtown's Animal Inc. produced candid videos without featuring company spokespeople. Blake Lewis, CEO of Lewis Public Relations, commended the campaign’s website design. However, media responses were mixed; Myers noted inconsistencies between the advertisements and state environmental data, while Reg Henry described the campaign as simultaneously disconcerting and strangely charming for a gas extraction firm.
Property damage litigation in Pennsylvania
In 2011, Range Resources reached a $750,000 settlement with a Pennsylvania family who alleged that oil and gas operations had devastated their 10-acre farm. From 2011 to 2013, efforts by the media to obtain court records revealed that the settlement agreement was initially withheld from public documents. Following legal action by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Observer–Reporter, the agreement was eventually made public. The settlement imposed a permanent gag order on the family, restricting any discussion about hydraulic fracturing, which included their children aged seven and ten.
Although company representatives initially suggested that the gag order would be enforced even against minors, a letter issued in 2013 clarified that Range Resources did not intend to pursue legal action against the children. The family's legal counsel contended that the disclosure of this letter effectively nullified confidentiality provisions, opening the door for further legal challenges.
Royalty underpayment litigation
In March 2011, Range Resources resolved a class-action lawsuit involving underpaid royalties to Pennsylvania landowners by agreeing to pay $1.75 million and implementing program modifications valued at $20 million.
Two years later, in 2013, the company settled another class-action case in Oklahoma for $87.5 million, which addressed claims related to insufficient royalty payments on natural gas sales.