DENVER, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural gas
production in the lower 48 United States increased by 0.9 billion
cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to 72.3 Bcf/d during the month of
February, according to Bentek Energy®, an analytics and
forecasting unit of Platts. While production in February remains
below peak levels reached in December
2014, it represents a 10.5% increase (6.8 Bcf/d) over daily
average production levels witnessed last February.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will publish
its domestic production estimates for February on or around
April 30, 2015.
"Cold weather continued to disrupt operations in February,
suppressing production growth during the month," said
Catherine Bernardo, manager
of energy analysis for Bentek. "While production in the Northeast
and Texas recovered from January
freeze-offs early in February, frigid temperatures returned in the
second half of the month, pushing production levels closer to the
January average."
Bentek data analysis suggests 2015 production will average
approximately 73.2 Bcf/d. Natural gas production should continue to
grow throughout the year, driven primarily by continued gains in
the Northeast, with associated gas production in Texas and the Midcontinent region providing
additional supply.
The Bentek data analysis is based on an extensive sample of near
real-time production receipt data from the U.S. lower 48 interstate
pipeline system. Platts' Bentek production models are highly
correlated with and provide an advance glimpse of federal
government statistics from the U.S. EIA.
This Bentek Energy U.S. natural gas production data estimate
will be published each month, covering the previous month's output
activity. Bentek's dry gas production estimates are not
observed data and are based on pipeline receipt nominations and
certain state production data.
Bentek Energy, which specializes in energy market analytics and
is recognized as an industry leader in natural gas market
fundamental analysis, was acquired by Platts in 2011. For more
information about natural gas supply and demand fundamentals and
Bentek Energy, visit www.bentekenergy.com. For more
information on natural gas spot price trends and Platts, a leading
global energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information
provider, visit the website at www.platts.com.
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SOURCE Platts