Appalachian Oil, Gas Production Expected to Rise in May

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Oil and natural gas production from the Utica/Point Pleasant and Marcellus shale formations in the Appalachian basin is expected to increase in May.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s most recent Drilling Productivity Report shows that the Appalachian basin – comprised of the Utica in eastern Ohio and the Marcellus in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia – is on track to produce an additional 48 million cubic feet of natural gas per day next month compared with April.

The report shows natural gas output is projected to increase from 35.233 billion cubic feet per day in April to 35.281 billion cubic feet per day next month. 

Oil production is also expected to increase, but just slightly, the report shows.

Horizontal wells across Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are projected to boost oil output by 1,000 barrels per day, according to the report. In April, these wells collectively produced 149,000 barrels per day. That number is expected to average 150,000 barrels of oil next month, EIA reports.

All seven major shale plays across the country expect to boost natural gas production next month, EIA reports. Collectively, these shale formations produced an average 96.835 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily in April. In May, these shale plays are expected to produce 97.167 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

Horizontal wells across the country’s major shale areas are expected to boost oil production by 49,000 barrels per day in May, EIA reported. In April, these wells produced 9.279 million barrels per day and are expected to boost production to 9.328 million barrels per day next month.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.