Initial data suggests that U.S. natural gas production faltered in 2016 after a year of growth in 2015, the Energy Information Administration said Friday. “Although annual production in 2015 grew, monthly U.S. natural gas production has since declined in 2016, falling to 71.4 Bcf/d [billion cubic feet per day] in July 2016 after reaching a peak of 75 Bcf/d in April 2015,” according to the EIA.
Production in 2015 varied greatly from state to state, with Louisiana taking the greatest hit. “Pennsylvania saw the largest total gain in annual production, increasing to 13 Bcf/d in 2015, up 11.4% from 11.6 Bcf/d in 2014. Ohio saw the largest percentage increase in natural gas production, increasing 49.9%, from 1.3 Bcf/d in 2014 to 2.6 Bcf/d in 2015. Louisiana production declined by the largest amount, falling to 4.8 Bcf/d in 2015, a decrease of 0.5 Bcf/d, or 10.8%, compared to 2014,” the report says.
Final numbers for 2016 will not be available until 2017.