U.S. stripper output at 5-year high

U.S. stripper wells contributed nearly 25% of oil production and 8% of gas production in 1997-excluding Alaska and the federal offshore, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission reported. Iogcc said that production from 436,084 stripper wells-defined as those making 10 b/d or less-increased for the second consecutive year to 352,928 million bbl. Average production was 2.22 b/d, a 5-year high. Production from 176,530 stripper gas wells-which produce 60 Mcfd or less-rose to 1,012,723,536 Mcf in

Nov. 16, 1998

U.S. stripper wells contributed nearly 25% of oil production and 8% of gas production in 1997-excluding Alaska and the federal offshore, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission reported.

Iogcc said that production from 436,084 stripper wells-defined as those making 10 b/d or less-increased for the second consecutive year to 352,928 million bbl. Average production was 2.22 b/d, a 5-year high. Production from 176,530 stripper gas wells-which produce 60 Mcfd or less-rose to 1,012,723,536 Mcf in 1997. Average output was 15.7 Mcf/well.

"With the current low price situation, the nation may see a significant increase in domestic oil well pluggings," Iogcc said, noting 15,173 wells were plugged in 1997.

Iogcc said stripper output rose in 12 of 28 states. Four states increased their production but had fewer operating wells. Stripper gas output climbed in 16 states.

Texas had the most stripper oil wells, 118,693, which yielded 118,709,553 bbl of oil. Ohio had the most stripper gas wells, 33,595, but ranked fifth in production at 84,181,803 Mcf. West Virginia had the most stripper gas output, 198,000,000 Mcf.