The Marcellus and Utica shale plays have accounted for 85% of natural gas production growth in the U.S. since 2012, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Drillers have increased rig productivity and production in both regions. The EIA estimates new-well gas production per rig grew from 3.2 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in 2012 to 8.3 million cubic feet per day in 2015 in the Marcellus. New-well production per rig surged from 0.31 million cubic feet per day in 2012 to 6.9 million cubic feet per day in 2015 in the Utica. The efficiency gains coincided with increased total production in both areas, EIA said.
The increased productivity is attributed to several factors, including greater use of advanced drilling techniques, more stages used in fracking operations, increased use of techniques such as zipper fracturing and use of components that help increase fracture size and porosity of geologic formations.
The boom in natural gas production has fueled billions in planned investments in the U.S. chemical sector, as companies take advantage of abundant and affordable feedstock.