The number of uncompleted oil and natural gas wells is slowly declining across the Lower 48’s major basins, but the current backlog should be enough to turn to sales until drilling increases, according to federal data.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its monthly Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) on Tuesday analyzed production trends into November. It also reviewed the drilled but uncompleted, i.e. DUC, inventory in the seven major plays — Anadarko, Appalachia and Permian basins, as well as the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville shales and Niobrara formation.

DUCs at the end of September had declined overall by 77 from August to 7,592, according to EIA.

Only the Haynesville Shale added DUCs last month, up by four to 321. The Niobrara was static with 454 DUCs....