Unconventional natural gas production volume growth in Pennsylvania decelerated during the fourth quarter according to the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO).

PAgas

IFO reported horizontal gas well production volume of 1.949 Tcf for 4Q2021, representing a 6.7% year/year growth rate. That was lower than the 7.2% uptick that data showed for 3Q2021.

For 2021, IFO said Pennsylvania’s production grew by 6.8%, up from 4% in 2020, which was marred by Covid-19 disruptions. The agency also had reported a strong start to 2021.

“Despite the increase from prior year growth, the rate of 6.8% still represents a deceleration from pre-pandemic rates,” stated IFO. “From 2016 to 2019, horizontal production volume increased,” climbing on average by about 10.2%/year.

The IFO said...