May Sees Production at Certain US Shales Finally Slow Down

The EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) released its “Drilling Productivity Report” on June 8, 2015. The EIA estimates that Marcellus Shale natural gas production totaled 16.5 Bcf (billion cubic feet) per day in May. That’s nearly the same as April’s production level and 12.1% greater than production a year ago.

The number of active rigs in the Marcellus shale decreased from 83 in April to 78 in May. A year ago, there were 101 drilling rigs in the region.

In May, the Marcellus Shale produced 8.1 million cubic feet per day per rig, a 7% gain in production per rig since May 2014.

Muted natural gas production growth at the Marcellus Shale may negatively affect major oil and gas producers in this region. These producers include EQT (EQT), Anadarko Petroleum (APC), and Consol Energy (CNX).

EQT makes up 0.84% of the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE). CNX forms 0.03% of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY).

Natural gas production at the Marcellus Shale increased from 1.2 Bcf per day in May 2007 to 16.49 Bcf per day in May 2015. That’s 12.7 times the production in eight years. Currently, the Marcellus Shale accounts for 36% of total natural gas production at the seven major US shales.

According to the EIA, the Marcellus Shale is the biggest-producing shale gas basin in the United States. The Marcellus Shale runs through western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and West Virginia. The resource play has a mix of oil and gas reserves.