SMYRNA – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is searching for those responsible in stealing $80,000 worth of seismic equipment from a natural gas drilling site and an insurance company is offering a $2,500 reward for its return.

The private contractor hired by Norse Energy to conduct seismic testing, Geospace Technologies, reported the stolen items were sensitive, proprietary equipment used to map potential underground gas deposits.

The theft occurred between Sept. 9 and 15, 2010 at a remote location in the Town of Smyrna.