Based on the latest estimates from Bentek Energy, domestic natural gas production in the lower 48 states averaged 66.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/day) in March 2014.
This increase in production was due in part to the month of March having the top three highest domestic natural gas producing days in U.S. history. Production levels on March 29, 30, and 31 all came in at 67.6 Bcf/d.
Average gas production in March 2014 was up 1 Bcf/d (1 percent) from February 2014, and up 2.5 Bcf/d (4 percent) from March 2013.
In 2013 natural gas production averaged 64.8 Bcf/d, which was over 1.2 Bcf/d (1.9 percent) higher than the 2012 average of 63.6 Bcf/d.
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Bentek data analysis suggests that natural gas production in 2014 will average approximately 68.0 Bcf/d due to a higher overall price environment for producers and continued growth in liquid-rich basins, as well as continued increases in dry production in the Marcellus basin.
“The last week of March was remarkable from a supply perspective and is a reflection of U.S. producer’s resilience in the face of strong gas demand faced by the nation this year,” said Jack Weixel, Bentek Energy director of energy analysis. “Production in the Northeast basins like Marcellus and Utica are up 44 percent this March versus last March alone. It’s becoming increasingly clear the Northeast is the new center of the gas universe for North America.”
Bentek Energy is the oil and natural gas analytic unit of Platts.
