Natural gas and oil permitting dipped sharply in April from a month earlier, with double-digit losses nearly across the board, according to Evercore ISI.

NETL rig

The energy analysts at Evercore, led by James West, every month compile permit data from state and federal officials to determine the direction of U.S. drilling. Once an onshore permit is obtained, it often takes three to six months before activity begins. 

According to Evercore, 3,060 total onshore permits were issued in April, “a sharp 31% decrease on a monthly basis,” or off 1,337 from March. Overall, permitting in April slipped 25% from a year ago.

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Of note were the declines in...