Growing US oil production increased natural gas production by 9 per cent in 2022

Increased US oil production in the Permian region is driving the growth in associated natural gas production.

Currently more US oil is produced in the Permian region, the largest of the five major US crude oil-producing regions, than in the other four regions combined. Paul Chaplo photo.

This article was published by the US Energy Information Administration on Nov. 6, 2023.

By Naser Ameen, Laia Munoz Cortijo

In 2022, annual production of associated-dissolved natural gas (or associated natural gas) increased 9 per cent to 15.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the major US onshore crude oil-producing regions, mostly due to an 8 per cent increase in crude oil production. Associated natural gas accounted for more than a third of total natural gas production in the Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, and Anadarko regions and 14 per cent of all US natural gas production.

annual natural gas production in major U.S. crude oil producing regions by type

Data source: Enverus DrillingInfo
Note: Major crude oil-producing regions include the Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, and Anadarko regions, which make up almost all US associated natural gas production; information on EIA’s classification of oil and natural gas wells is available in our Drilling Productivity Report Supplement.

Associated natural gas refers to natural gas that is dissolved in crude oil under the pressure of a geologic formation and is then released when the pressure on the crude oil is relieved by bringing it to the surface.

Increasing crude oil production in the Permian region, which spans parts of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, is driving the growth in associated natural gas production. Currently more oil is produced in the Permian region, the largest of the five major US crude oil-producing regions, than in the other four regions combined. In 2022, production of crude oil increased in the Permian region by 12 per cent. Associated natural gas production increased by 15 per cent in the Permian region to average 10.2 Bcf/d for the year, and it accounted for 56 per cent of all US associated natural gas production. In recent years, new pipeline takeaway capacity additions have facilitated associated natural gas production growth.

annual associated natural gas production in major U.S. crude oil producing regions

Data source: Enverus DrillingInfo

Associated natural gas contains higher ratios of natural gas plant liquids (NGPLs) such as ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane, and natural gasoline than non-associated natural gas. NGPLs are used as fuel for heating and transportation and as feedstocks to produce plastics, resins, and other petrochemicals. Like associated natural gas production, NGPL production has set several consecutive annual records, rising to an annual average of 5.9 million barrels per day in 2022. The Texas Inland region, which includes much of the Permian region, accounted for 53 per cent of total US ethane production and 49 per cent of total NGPL production in 2022, up from 51 per cent of ethane production and 46 per cent of NGPL production in 2021, according to our Petroleum Supply Monthly.

Information on EIA’s classification of oil and natural gas wells is available in our Drilling Productivity Report Supplement.

 

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