Natural gas output in the US Lower 48 states fell 1.1%, or 830,000 Mcf/d, in December compared with November, the US Energy Information Administration said Thursday in its monthly gas gross production report.
Total US Lower 48 gas production in December was 72.7 Bcf/d, compared with a revised 73.53 Bcf/d in November.
This constitutes a year-on-year increase from the 72.08 Bcf/d reported in December 2011, a 0.86% increase.
Louisiana had the largest volume decrease at 3.1%, or 240,000 Mcf/d, as some operators reported shut-ins. New Mexico declined 3.9%, or 140,000 Mcf/d, mainly because of cold weather.
Texas and the Gulf of Mexico posted decreases of 0.9%, or 190,000 Mcf/d, and 2.9%, or 120,000 Mcf/d, respectively, as several operators reported shut-ins.
Total US production in December was at 82.57 Bcf/d, down 0.7% from a revised 83.19 Bcf/d in November. This marks a 0.6% increase from the 82.06 Bcf/d reported in December 2011.
