EIA: Lower 48 producing more oil and natural gas from fewer wells
Monday, January 9, 2023
A decreasing number of oil and natural gas wells is supplying more oil and natural gas, according to a report recently released by the United States Energy Information Administration.
The trend has been attributed to the industry shift to more productive wells as a result of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
The total number of producing wells in the U.S. saw an 11.1% drop from a peak of 1,031,183 wells in 2014 to about 916,934 wells in 2021. Simultaneously, production rose by 28% to average 11.25 million b/d in 2021, compared to 8.79 million b/d in 2014.
Learn more: Natural Gas Intelligence > Lower 48 Producing More Oil, Natural Gas from Fewer Wells Report Shows
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.