Marcellus estimated to provide 18 percent of U.S. gas production this month

Monthly estimates released today by the federal Energy Information Administration show the Marcellus shale dramatically outpacing other natural gas plays regions across the country.

From the EIA:

The rise of Marcellus production in both absolute terms and as a share of total U.S. production is a key development in a rapidly evolving U.S. natural gas market.
Growth in the efficiency of new wells has largely driven the continued increase in production volumes in the region. Although the number of drilling rigs in the area has remained relatively flat in recent months, production from new wells has continued to grow.

Natural gas companies operating in Pennsylvania report production data twice a year to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The most recent report from August 2013 shows Pennsylvania’s share of the Marcellus produced over 1.4 trillion cubic feet of gas during the first half of 2013– a 57 percent increase over the same period last year.
The next production report from operators is due to the DEP February 15, 2014.