Chesapeake to increase Columbia Natural Resources' production, jobs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy says it will increase drilling for natural gas in the Appalachian region of the United States.<br/><br/>Chesapeake announced Monday it will

Tuesday, October 4th 2005, 9:50 am

By: News On 6

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy says it will increase drilling for natural gas in the Appalachian region of the United States.

Chesapeake announced Monday it will spend $2.2-billion to buy Columbia Natural Resources of Charleston, West Virginia. Tuesday, the company said it will add six drilling rigs to the four now used by Columbia.

Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon also says his company will keep Columbia's offices and 365 employees in Charleston and he expects to hire more employees there.