May 2013, Vol. 240, No. 5

In The News

Pennsylvania Gas Production Jumps 69% Despite Reduced Drilling

Natural gas production in Pennsylvania averaged 6.1 Bcf/d in 2012, up from 3.6 Bcf/d in 2011, reports the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This came despite a significant drop in new natural gas wells.

Several factors contributed to the production increase. While accelerated drilling in recent years (primarily in the Marcellus Shale formation) significantly boosted Pennsylvania’s natural gas production, increases were restricted by the limited pipeline and processing infrastructure. This created a large backlog of wells that were drilled but not brought online. As infrastructure expanded, these wells were gradually connected to pipelines, sustaining natural gas production increases through 2012.