WorldOil

United States: Producing oil wells

The number of US producing oil wells grew slightly by 0.5% in 2006 to 500,785 wells from its 498,454 total well count for 2005, as reported by state agencies and estimated by World Oil . This is the first gain in oil producers since 1991's well count of 610,204. The US gained 2,331 net wells in the past year. Significant gains occurred in four states: Pennsylvania, California, Texas and Colorado. Modest gains were seen in 10 other states. Thirteen states and the Federal OCS sustained losses, while three states had no change in their well count. As was true last year, seven states—Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, Ohio, New Mexico and Louisiana—hold the largest number of producing wells. These states have 77% of the US producing oil wells. Texas continues with the largest well count at 144,424, up 1,219 wells, a 0.9% increase from last year's 143,205 well count.