Marcellus Shale production numbers break another record

• Marie Cusick
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  Marie Cusick was the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania.

Drilling companies in Pennsylvania have broken yet another record, as shale gas production jumped 30 percent last year, according to new data released by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Marcellus Shale drillers produced more than 2 trillion cubic feet of gas in the second half of 2014. Throughout all of last year, they produced 3.7 trillion cubic feet– or about 16 percent of what the entire United States consumes on an annual basis.

“Economic growth from natural gas production has translated into increased disposable income for families and more profitable businesses,” said Frank Macchiarola, of the industry trade group, America’s Natural Gas Alliance. “Pennsylvania also is supplying the rest of the country with abundant natural gas helping to power America.”

Once again, the Susquehanna County operations of Cabot Oil and Gas are the most productive wells in the state. On a county-level basis, Bradford produces the most gas, followed by Washington, Susquehanna, Lycoming, and Greene counties.

The Marcellus Shale region (which encompasses parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia) is the most productive natural gas formation in the country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which tracks drilling productivity.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect the following correction: Pennsylvania’s gas production totals for 2014 are 3.7 trillion cubic feet, not 4 trillion.

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