According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Eagle Ford Shale leads the pack in increased oil production per rig, compared to six other significant U.S. domestic shale plays. The data highlighting this milestone was released in March 2014.
Read more: An Eagle Ford Rig Adds 400 Barrels of Oil Production Per Month
In April 2014, EIA data shows each drilling rig in the Eagle Ford Shale will contribute 400 b/d more than it would have in the same formation in January 2007. Total April 2014 oil production in the Ealge Ford is expected to be 1,359,000 b/d. Total natural gas production in the Eagle Ford is expected to be 6,566 mcf/d.
Five of the six U.S. shale formations tracked by the EIA have seen increases in oil and natural gas production per rig over the past few years. The Eagle Ford, Bakken and Niobrara have all seen significant increase in oil production, while the Marcellus and Haynesville have seen increases in natural gas. The EIA credits horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking for the increases in production.
“The productivity of oil and natural gas wells is steadily increasing in many basins across the United States because of the increasing precision and efficiency of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in oil and natural gas extraction. The geology of each oil and natural gas resource play is diverse, and individual rig or well performance can vary dramatically. However, drilling activity in U.S. shale plays is now generally producing greater quantities of oil and/or natural gas than in the past.”
Advancements in technology highlighted by the EIA in their report are pushing the U.S. towards energy independence. The EIA's most recent Annual Energy Outlook forecasts U.S. oil production will reach 9,600,000 b/d in 2019. Natural gas production will increase 56% through 2040.
Read more at eia.gov