Appalachian Oil, Gas Production Expected to Decline in March

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Oil and gas production across the Appalachian Basin is projected to decline slightly in March, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Wells operating in the Appalachian region – consisting of the Utica/Point Pleasant shale play in eastern Ohio and the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia – are expected to produce a total of 152,000 barrels of oil per day, compared with 154,000 barrels yielded in February, the EIA reported.

These wells are also projected to yield lower volumes of natural gas, the administration reported.  In March, Appalachian wells are projected to produce 36.408 billion cubic feet per day as opposed to 36.484 billion cubic feet in February, a drop of 76 million cubic feet per day.

Overall oil production across the seven major shale plays across the country is on track to increase next month. Together, these shale plays are projected to yield 9.716 million barrels per day, compared with 9.696 million barrels per day in February, an increase of 20,000 barrels per day.

Natural gas production is expected to decline. In March, the country’s shale wells are projected to yield 110.425 billion cubic feet of gas per day, a decrease of 25 million cubic feet per day from February.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.