BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 7. In 2022, the annual production of associated-dissolved natural gas, also known as associated natural gas, in the US witnessed a notable 9-percent increase, reaching 15.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the primary crude oil-producing regions onshore, Trend reports.
This substantial growth can be primarily attributed to an 8-percent rise in crude oil production within these regions, the US Energy Information Administration Agency (EIA) says.
According to the agency, associated natural gas played a significant role in the overall natural gas production landscape, accounting for more than one-third of the total natural gas production in the Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, and Anadarko regions. It also contributed to 14 percent of the entire natural gas production in the US.
The surge in associated natural gas production is predominantly driven by the escalating crude oil output in the Permian region, spanning parts of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the EIA noted. Presently, the Permian region outpaces the combined oil production of the other four major US crude oil-producing regions.
Associated natural gas production in the Permian region saw a remarkable 15-percent uptick, averaging 10.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) for the year. At the same time, it accounted for a significant 56-percent share of all associated natural gas production in the US. In recent years, the addition of new pipeline takeaway capacity has facilitated the growth in associated natural gas production.
In parallel with the surge in associated natural gas production, natural gas plant liquids (NGPLs)production has consistently established new annual records, reaching an average of 5.9 million barrels per day in 2022. The Texas Inland region, encompassing a substantial portion of the Permian area, played a pivotal role, contributing 53 percent of the total US ethane production, and 49 percent of the overall NGPL production in 2022. This marked an increase from the figures of 51 percent for ethane production, and 46 percent for NGPL production in the previous year, as reported in our Petroleum Supply Monthly.