August 23, 2016

US EIA Forecasts Natural Gas Production Through 2040 – We Need the Infrastructure to Carry It

The U.S. Energy Information Agency recently released data on the future of natural gas production. According to the EIA’s projections, the Marcellus and Utica shale formations contain enough natural gas to produce through 2040.

“The two Appalachian shale gas plays, the Marcellus and Utica, have factors favorable for production: shallower geologic formation depths and proximity to consuming markets. Both Appalachian shale gas plays have remained resilient to the low natural gas prices and are projected to continue to drive total U.S. production in the long term. Shale gas production in these plays is expected to reach more than 40 Bcf/d by 2040, providing just over half of U.S. total shale gas production.”

Clearly, these domestic natural gas resources are plentiful and readily available – this gas can fuel businesses, manufacturers, and homes for years to come. However, in order to capitalize on this opportunity, our region will require significant investments in the midstream infrastructure required to transport natural gas from production sites to end markets in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and throughout the region.

The Rover Pipeline will fill this gap, carrying 3.25 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from refineries to markets in the Midwest. Along the way, Rover will create as many as 10,000 construction jobs and contribute approximately $147 million in tax revenue to state coffers.

CEPI is encouraged by the EIA’s continuing study of our region’s natural gas. This is yet another affirmation of the need for the responsible development of natural gas projects like the Rover Pipeline – we urge FERC commissioners to approve Rover in a timely manner in order to provide the necessary support for our abundant domestic resources.