Producing gas wells hold up amid commodities rout

Estimated U.S. wells producing gas at the end of 2015

The number of producing gas wells in the U.S. held steady last year, despite gas prices remaining stubbornly low. Overall, the states reported 502,987 active wells at year-end, down 303—or 0.1%—from year-end 2014.

South. As it has for many years, Texas continues to boast the greatest number of active gas wells. However, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state experienced a 1.7% contraction last year. Statewide, eight districts reported a decline, while four bucked the overall trend and reported an increase. 

Louisiana also saw a reduction in its producing gas wells last year, with state waters taking the biggest hit on a percentage basis. Overall the state, lost 299 wells, of which 194 and 96 were in the North and South of the state, respectively. Alabama and Mississippi saw their totals shrink, ending the year at 5,951 and 1,570 wells, respectively.

Midwest. A 1.2% uptick occurred in Oklahoma’s producing gas well count at year-end for a new total of 40,569. Kansas experienced little change in its number of active wells. The Sunflower state added 32 wells last year for a new total of 24,731, representing an increase of 0.1%. Kentucky reported 249 fewer wells at year-end, a decline of 1.3%, for a new total of 19,007.

West/Rockies. Colorado reported a 900-well gain by year-end 2015, for a new total of 34,618. New Mexico, on the other hand, experienced a decline, ending the year at 26,547 wells. Meanwhile, Wyoming experienced one of the largest percentage declines—7.3%—with a 1,582-unit drop in the producing well count. Utah, however, reported a strong increase last year, with the addition of 643 active wells. California held roughly steady, with the Golden State reporting 1,105 wells at year-end.

East. At the heart of the Marcellus and Utica shales, Pennsylvania continued to add gas wells last year. The state added 805 wells, representing an increase of 1.1%, for a new total of 71,205. Meanwhile, West Virginia reported the addition of 665 new gas-producers for a 2015 year-end total of 57,204. Virginia saw an increase in active wells from 8,062 in 2014 to 8,505 at year-end 2015. Meanwhile, New York saw the addition of 95 producing wells.

Federal. Federal waters also saw a reduction in the number of producing gas wells last year, with the Gulf of Mexico reporting 70 fewer wells in 2015.