Wheeling, W.Va. (AP) -- Early negotiations are under way to allow a natural gas producer to drill for deposits in Oglebay and Wheeling Parks.

Oglebay Foundation President G. Randolph Worls says Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Chesapeake Appalachia LLC has expressed interest in drilling roughly 2,200 acres in northern West Virginia.

Deep underneath the land is a thick, black rock called marcellus shale thought to be the nation's most prolific natural gas reservoir.

On Tuesday, Wheeling City Council will consider authorizing the city to join the Wheeling Park Commission in negotiations with Chesapeake.

Worls says royalties could help finance capital improvements.

He also promised that no drilling would be allowed near any golf courses, lodges or public-use areas of the parks.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)