U.S. Natural Gas Production Rose 0.7% in July: Platts' Bentek Energy

DENVER, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural gas production in the lower 48 United States increased by 0.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during the month of July versus June, according to Bentek Energy®, an analytics and forecasting unit of Platts. Production averaged 68.5 billion Bcf/d last month, marking the highest monthly average on record and surpassing the previous record set in June.  On July 30, production set a one-day record high of 69.3 Bcf/d. 

On a year-over-year basis, average July 2014 gas production was up 5.1% from July 2013 or 3.3 Bcf/d higher.     

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will publish its domestic production estimates for July on or around September 30.       

"The U.S. has moved past 68 Bcf/d and we're now talking about what day production will surpass 70 Bcf/d," said Jack Weixel, Bentek director of energy analysis. "While our official forecast doesn't predict average monthly production to exceed 70 Bcf/d until April 2015, the reality is that we'll likely hit 70 Bcf/d on several days in the month of September. The 70 Bcf/d level is a big mental hurdle for the market, to think about that volume of natural gas being available every day will calm most fears about insufficient storage levels going into winter."  

Bentek data analysis suggests 2014 production will average approximately 67.7 Bcf/d on the back of a higher price environment for producers, continued growth in liquids-rich shale basins such as the Eagle Ford, Bakken, Permian and Greater Anadarko, as well as continued increases in dry gas production in the Marcellus.

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 early 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.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the biofuels, carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, shipping and sugar markets. A division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), Platts is based in London with more than 1000 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at www.platts.com.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), a financial intelligence company, is a leader in credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics for the global capital and commodity markets. Iconic brands include: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL, J.D. Power and McGraw Hill Construction. The Company has approximately 17,000 employees in 29 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

CONTACT
Kathleen Tanzy
212-904-2860  
Kathleen.tanzy@platts.com  

SOURCE Platts