Shale Boom Quadruples Pennsylvania Gas Output
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that between 2009 and 2011, Pennsylvania's natural gas production more than quadrupled due to expanded horizontal drilling combined with hydraulic fracturing.
It said Pennsylvania’s recent transition from conventional vertical wells to horizontal wells is due to activity in the Marcellus, Utica, and Geneseo/Burket shale formations in the northeast and southwest portions of the state. As horizontal drilling grew, the number of less productive vertical wells declined, resulting in an overall drop in the state’s new well count.
EIA said Pennsylvania gas exploration and development historically has been steady, with operators drilling a few thousand conventional (vertical) wells annually. Prior to 2009, production was about 500 MMcfd (14 x 106 m3/day).
With the shift to horizontal drilling, production has more than quadrupled since 2009, averaging nearly 3.5 Bcfd (100 x 106 m3/day) in 2011. Gas wells accounted for 99% of the horizontal wells started over this period, EIA said.
For more information: www.eia.gov
