WorldOil

United States: Producing gas wells

For 2007, the number of gas-producing wells rose a solid 4.8% to 19,845 wells. The largest gains came in seven states: Texas (9,842), Pennsylvania (4,506), Oklahoma (3,046), Kansas (2,520), Colorado (1,773), Kentucky (1,499) and West Virginia (1,098). These states represent almost 60% of the new producing gas wells. The rise in the producing gas well totals is due to heavy development drilling in continuous resource shale plays and coalbed methane plays. Texas maintained its No. 1 spot in total gas producers at more than 86,000 wells. All RRC districts showed gains except for District 9, which dropped almost 12%, more than 1,000 wells. District 6 led in total gas wells at 13,094 followed closely by District 4 with 13,003 wells. The largest new-well increase was in District 5 at 2,270 wells. These gains are all related to the Barnett Shale play, which continues to add new wells at a high rate.