US-associated gas production has increased by almost 8% in 2023

U.S. production of related natural gas increased 7.9% in 2023 from 2022, averaging 17.1 bcfd, according to Enverus Drillinginfo data published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Record U.S. crude oil production in 2023 generated large amounts of associated gas.

The Permian Basin in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico accounted for 46% of U.S. crude oil production in 2023 and was the largest source of U.S.-related gas production last year at 11.5 bcfd. In 2023, about two-thirds of total U.S. gas production came from the Permian region, similar to 2022.

In 2023, 2.3 bcfd of associated gas was produced in North Dakota’s Bakken region; 70% of the region’s total natural gas production, the largest share of the five oil producing regions (Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, Anadarko). The Eagle Ford region of south Texas was the source of 1.8 bcfd of associated gas, while a combined 1.5 bcfd of associated gas was produced in 2023 in the Niobrara and Anadarko midcontinents.

Related natural gas accounted for 36.7% of U.S. natural gas production in 2023, compared to 37.4% in 2022. EIA defines oil wells as wells with a gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) of less than or equal to 6,000 cu ft of natural gas production. gas/barrel of oil produced (Mcf/b). Wells with a GOR greater than 6 Mcf/b as natural gas wells. The associated natural gas production has grown at a rate proportional to the dry natural gas production.

Associated gas contains NGLs such as ethane, butane and propane and must be treated at gas processing plants to remove impurities and liquids before being released to market. The increase in the associated gas has led to record production of ethane.