WorldOil

United States: Producing oil wells

The total number of US producing oil wells increased slightly due in part to the high price environment. At the end of 2007, the well total grew 0.5% to 499,833 wells, up from 497,403 wells in 2006, as reported by state agencies and estimated by World Oil. The US increased by 2,430 net wells led by Kansas, which increased its total producing wells by 6,741, a 16% increase. Seven states-Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Ohio, Louisiana and New Mexico-have the largest number of producing wells. Together they hold 78.5% of the US producing well count. Texas continues with the largest well count at 144,660, up 0.2% with a modest gain of 236 wells. District 6E had the largest gain, as East Texas Field operators increased producing wells by almost 1,400. Districts 6, 7C, 8 and 8A had triple-digit net increases. On the downside, District 10 suffered the loss of almost 600 wells, followed closely by District 9.