Natural gas production in the Lower 48 states climbed 0.6%, or 0.41 Bcf/d, in November from October levels, according to the latest figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Lower 48 production was 73.88 Bcf/d, a new record for the data, which EIA began reporting in January 2005.

In October Lower 48 production was 73.47 Bcf/d, and in November 2011 it stood at 72.46 Bcf/d.

The EIA’s “other states category had the largest November volume increase at 1.4%, or 0.33 Bcf/d, as some operators reported new wells coming online in the Marcellus shale play, the agency said.

Analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. said it was “frustrating” that onshore production is still growing, “but we are confident that U.S. gas production should decline about 1% in 2013 year/year.”

EIA said “Wyoming production grew 3.1%, or 0.18 Bcf/d, as two gas plants were back in full production.” The federal offshore “Gulf of Mexico also increased 3.5%, or 0.14 Bcf/d, partially because shut-in wells were put back online. Louisiana production decreased 2.6%, or 0.21 Bcf/d, as some operators reported shut-ins.”

Production increased in Oklahoma by 1.2%, or 0.07 Bcf/d, but New Mexico and Texas both posted declines. Production was down 1.4% in New Mexico, or 0.05 Bcf/d, and in Texas by 0.2%, or 0.05 Bcf/d.

According to a recent report from the Railroad Commission of Texas, the number of original drilling permits issued in the state during November declined from one year ago, as did the amount of natural gas produced from Texas wells during October compared to a year ago (see Daily GPI, Dec. 31, 2012).

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