Advanced technologies, such as longer lateral wells and multi-well pad drilling, are driving ongoing efficiencies and increased productivity in developing oil and natural gas resources in the prolific Permian Basin, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report Tuesday.

Permian Basin

The Permian, which spans West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, accounted for about 30% of U.S. oil output and 14% of domestic natural gas production in 2020 – as measured by gross withdrawals – collectively more than any other region in the Lower 48, EIA data show.  

The Delaware and Midland sub-basins together span extensive areas of the greater Permian and contain multiple stacked reservoirs. As of mid-2021, the Delaware was home to 17,450 producing wells and the Midland had 27,540,...