The total number of US producing oil wells increased markedly over 2008 due to the high price environment that prevailed through most of the year. At the end of 2008, the well total increased by 5% to 525,287 wells, up from 500,085 wells in 2007, as reported by state agencies and estimated by World Oil. The US increased by 25,202 net producing wells, led by Texas, whose operators increased the total producing wells by 5,579 wells, a nearly 4% increase.

Seven states-Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Ohio, Louisiana and New Mexico-have the largest number of producing wells. Together they account for about 78% of US producing oil wells. The relative rankings did not change in 2008.

Texas continues with the largest count at 150,239 wells. District 8 saw the largest gain, as operators increased producing wells by over 1,800. Permian Basin development drilling accounted for most of this advance. District 1 had the second largest gain at almost 1,300 wells. Districts 6, 7B, 7C, 8A, 9 and 10 had triple-digit net increases. All districts had gains this year.

The second-largest number of producing wells continued to be in Oklahoma, whose total rose to over 83,000 wells. This is up by over 500 wells, a 19% increase. Kansas also had a significant increase. The state’s producing well count jumped over 11% to more than 54,000 wells. The 5,645-well increase included many older wells that were brought back into production. Building a nearly 10% increase, California operators added over 4,500 producers, increasing the 2008 well count to over 50,000 wells.

Ohio had an active year, adding 232 oil wells to its to bring its total above 29,000 producers. Louisiana had a busy year as well, adding 372 new oil wells to bring its producer total close to 21,000 wells. The additions were evenly split between the north and south districts, but the north continues to dominate with more than 16,000 wells.

Estimated US wells producing oil at the end of 2008 Click table to enlarge

New Mexico’s drilling failed to increase its producer total this year, but maintained its count at more than 20,600 wells. These figures will likely increase once the reporting lag over the past year is overcome. Kentucky added nearly 900 new oil producers to raise its total above 18,000 wells, a 5% increase.

Most states had an increase in well totals this year funded by high oil prices. Wyoming saw the greatest percentage increase in wells. Operators there drilled over 53% more oil producers than in 2007, adding 3,555 new wells.

Pennsylvania is one of only five states that had a drop in oil wells. The state still has over 18,000 producers. Michigan had the largest well loss, 271 wells.