Marcellus Shale gas production hits new milestone

Marie Cusick

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Marie Cusick was the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania.

August 5, 2014 | 2:04 PM

Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY

On a per-rig basis, Marcellus Shale gas production outpaces other major shale plays around the country.

Natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale continues to break records.
Production hit an all-time high last month, according to new data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In July it exceed 15 billion cubic feet of gas per day, and it’s expected to keep growing.

U.S. Energy Information Administration

This graph shows the dramatic increase in Marcellus Shale gas production over the past seven years.S. Energy Information Administration

The data covers the entire Marcellus Shale region which primarily includes West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Marcellus is the largest producing shale basin basin in the country, accounting for 40 percent of all U.S. shale gas production.
On a per-rig basis, Marcellus gas production is surpassing other major shale plays in the United States.
The EIA expects new wells coming online in August will deliver enough gas to offset the declining production rate from existing wells.
Pennsylvania releases gas production information twice a year.
The state Department of Environmental Protection will publish data for the first half of 2014 later this month.