Natural gas production from one the of the U.S.’s fastest growing plays, the Marcellus shale, will climb ever higher in the face of widespread environmental and safety concerns, predicts industry analysts GlobalData in their new report.
The company’s latest research says that gross production from the play exploded from 80.2 Bcf in 2009 to 1,072.3 Bcf in 2011, and is set to reach 4,861 Bcf in 2015 before finally stabilizing in 2020 at a massive 7,685.1 Bcf.
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracing”, is a process that has sparked controversy across the world, due to potential risks including ground water contamination and the compromise of air quality, and was the focus of 2010 Oscar nominated documentary, Gasland.
The Marcellus shale runs through New York and Pennsylvania, amongst other states, and while numerous wells have been drilled across the latter, opposition from the public and some political figures in New York led to the initiation of a drilling moratorium in November 2010 – a freeze on fracing that currently remains in place.
Drilling activity in the Marcellus shale mainly takes place in Pennsylvania, and as of March 9, 2012, the total number of drilling permits issued in this area stood at 11,772, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Chesapeake is the number one company in the Pennsylvania section of the shale, producing 193 Bcf last year alone. Talisman Energy USA Inc. came second with 155 Bcf, while Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. and Range Resources Appalachia LLC were third and fourth, with 138 Bcf and 115 Bcf, respectively.
Recommended Reading
Oceaneering Won $200MM in Manufactured Products Contracts in Q4 2023
2024-02-05 - The revenues from Oceaneering International’s manufactured products contracts range in value from less than $10 million to greater than $100 million.
E&P Highlights: Feb. 5, 2024
2024-02-05 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including an update on Enauta’s Atlanta Phase 1 project.
CNOOC’s Suizhong 36-1/Luda 5-2 Starts Production Offshore China
2024-02-05 - CNOOC plans 118 development wells in the shallow water project in the Bohai Sea — the largest secondary development and adjustment project offshore China.
TotalEnergies Starts Production at Akpo West Offshore Nigeria
2024-02-07 - Subsea tieback expected to add 14,000 bbl/d of condensate by mid-year, and up to 4 MMcm/d of gas by 2028.
US Drillers Add Oil, Gas Rigs for Third Time in Four Weeks
2024-02-09 - Despite this week's rig increase, Baker Hughes said the total count was still down 138 rigs, or 18%, below this time last year.