EIA forecasts 79,000-bo/d rise in October from major US onshore regions

Sept. 18, 2017
Crude oil output from the seven major US onshore producing regions is forecast to increase 79,000 b/d month-over-month in October to 6.083 million b/d, the US Energy Information Administration said in its latest monthly Drilling Productivity Report.

Crude oil output from the seven major US onshore producing regions is forecast to increase 79,000 b/d month-over-month in October to 6.083 million b/d, the US Energy Information Administration said in its latest monthly Drilling Productivity Report.

The DPR forecasts oil and gas production from the Anadarko, Appalachia, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Niobrara, and Permian, taking into consideration the regions’ total number of active drilling rigs, drilling productivity, and estimated changes in production from existing oil and gas wells.

The Permian is expected to contribute a 55,000-b/d month-over-month oil-output increase in October to reach 2.635 million b/d. In the Eagle Ford, where Hurricane Harvey has impacted production, drilling, and completion activities from late August onward, oil production is projected to fall 9,000 b/d in October to 1.271 million b/d.

The Niobrara’s upward trajectory is forecast to continue during the month with a 13,000-b/d rise to 511,000 b/d. The Anadarko basin, added to the DPR in last month’s report, is seen climbing 10,000 b/d in October to 463,000 b/d. The Bakken is expected to gain 8,000 b/d in October to 1.058 million b/d.

EIA estimates the seven regions’ tally of drilled-but-uncompleted wells jumped by 231 in August to 7,048. The Permian gained 133 during the month to 2,297, followed by the Eagle Ford with a 47-DUC well rise to 1,401, Anadarko with a 26-DUC well increase to 933, and Niobrara with a 16-DUC well gain to 711. Baker Hughes' overall US rig count, meanwhile, has dropped 22 units since July 28 (OGJ Online, Sept. 15, 2017).

Natural gas production from the seven regions is expected to climb 788 MMcfd month-over-month in October to 59.745 bcfd. Appalachia is expected to lead the way with a 342-MMcfd rise during the month to 24.906 bcfd. EIA in last month’s report also combined the Marcellus and Utica into a single region.

Gas production increases during October also are forecast from the Permian, up 158 MMcfd to 8.811 bcfd; Haynesville, up 143 MMcfd to 7.028 bcfd; Niobrara, up 77 MMcfd to 4.911 bcfd; Anadarko, up 55 MMcfd to 5.955 bcfd; and Bakken, up 24 MMcfd to 1.96 bcfd. The Eagle Ford is seen falling 11 MMcfd to 6.174 bcfd.

Contact Matt Zborowski at [email protected].