PPT Slide
Natural Gas Productive Capacity for the Lower-48 States
- The contribution of new well completions to capacity has been roughly flat from 1996 through 1999 then increased in 2000 and 2001 (Figure 6).
- About 30 percent of total wellhead productive capacity is from wells one year old or less in 2000. Similarly, about 44 percent of wellhead productive capacity is from wells 2 years old or less, and 52 percent is associated with wells only 3 years old or less.
- A substantial reduction in drilling can dramatically affect both the effective productive capacity and production. If drilling were to stop completely, any surplus capacity would erode in a matter of months.
- Conversely, a dramatic increase in drilling, as projected through 2001, can add significant capacity.
- This very large increase in drilling (61 percent from 1999 to 2001) accounts for about a 5.2 Bcf per day (about 10 percent) increase in effective productive capacity by December 2001.