In yet another indication of the economic promise inherent in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations – as well as the need for infrastructure to support natural gas production – Platts Analytics released data on production in the region A recently published article in the Financial Times indicates that natural gas production from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations is again reaching near-historic levels. According to the article:
The foremost shale gas region in the US is bucking the energy market doldrums, with production this month approaching a new record.
Natural gas output from the Marcellus and Utica shales of the US north-east is averaging 22.63bn cubic feet per day in August, according to Platts Analytics. That is up 2 per cent from July and the most since February’s all-time high of 22.78bn cu ft/d.
The reversal is defying expectations of a steady production decline as the commodities slump forces energy companies to curtail drilling. The north-east in the past several years emerged as what Credit Suisse called “the key growth engine” of US gas production, helping put the country on the global energy map as a gas exporter.
CEPI is encouraged to see our region labeled as “the key growth engine” of natural gas production in the US. However, in order to fully realize the extent of that economic growth, the Northeast – particularly Ohio, Michigan, and West Virginia – needs to invest in the energy infrastructure that will carry gas to market. Projects like the Rover Pipeline will become crucial to this supply chain. CEPI hopes that federal regulators recognize this economic potential and approve the Rover Pipeline.