New data from the EIA reveal the major U.S. shale plays are collectively getting more productive as drillers improve efficiency and precision in fracking. The Bakken and Marcellus had the largest year-over-year increases in oil and natural gas production, respectively. Year-over-year natural gas production was flat in the Haynesville shale, while natural gas production in the Niobrara shale declined slightly. All other basins studied had oil and gas production increases.
Five of the six basins included in EIA’s study have increased oil and gas production over the past few years. The Eagle Ford has led the pack in terms of increased oil production per rig, while the Marcellus saw the biggest gain in natural gas production per rig.
The six basins included in the study were the Marcellus, Haynesville, Niobrara, Eagle Ford, Bakken and Permian.
Photo: Joshua Doubek
