Dec 14, 2012 1 min read

IMPERIAL (AP) – Allegheny County Airport Authority will negotiate with Consol Energy for rights to drill for natural gas and oil at Pittsburgh International Airport even though a competitor’s bid appeared to be twice as large.

The authority last week said EQT Corp. bid roughly $44 million while Consol bid $20.8 million – but also included a $2.1 million check as a deposit. Both bids also include ongoing 18 percent royalties once drilling begins.

Executive director Bradley Penrod said the authority board approved Consol’s bid as the “best value” after a “very, very careful review” at a meeting Friday. But Penrod wouldn’t say at the meeting if the lack of a deposit hurt EQT’s bid or what other factors made Consol’s bid better.

Authority spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny referred messages requesting an additional explanation to Penrod, who did not immediately respond.