Shale gas provided the largest share of American natural gas production last year, new figures have shown.

The US Energy Information Administration said withdrawals reached a new high of 82billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) last year.

Shale gas well withdrawals jumped from 5bcf/d in 2007, to 33bcf/d in 2013, representing a 40% increase in total gas production and surpassing production from non-shale gas wells.

The report said new technology had allowed producers to shift production to resources which are easier to reach and have lower drilling costs.

Non-shale natural gas wells decreased by a quarter, however, from 41bcf/d in 2007 to 31bcf/d in 2013.

In 2007, 63% of shale production came from Texas but the distribution has now changed, with states including Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Arkansas also becoming key players.

In Texas, shale production increased from 3bcf/d in 2007 to 11bcf/d last year.

Its main production growth came from areas including Barnett, Eagle Ford and Haynesville-Bossier.

Pennsylvania became the second largest shale gas producing state last year, with growth predominantly coming from the Marcellus play.

In Louisiana, growth has come from the Haynesville play, and the state produced 4bcf/d in 2013.

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/69464/shale-provides-largest-share-us-gas-production/