Natural Gas Productive Capacity for the Lower-48 States - Methodology -
This study employs a new methodology to determine the effective productive capacity.
- Previous studies were based on a demonstrated wellhead productive capacity calculated by summing the maximum measured monthly production rates of each well in each year. While this sum is a demonstrated upper bound to production, a review of the historical data indicates that (at least for some States) there is a lower effective productive capacity limit acting on wellhead production.
- One or more of the following factors that can prevent all wells from producing at their wellhead capacity at the same time include field processing equipment, limitations from gathering and pipeline systems, limiting compression capability, and natural gas plant throughput capabilities.
The effective productive capacity better reflects the ability of producing wells to deliver gas into the gathering and transportation system. An effective productive capacity has been estimated for each area included in this study and is used to assess natural gas supply in the Lower-48 States through 2001.