US production of associated natural gas increased 7.9% in 2023 compared with 2022, averaging 17.1 bcfd, according to data from Enverus Drillinginfo as published by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Record US crude oil production in 2023 generated large volumes of associated gas.
The Permian basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico accounted for 46% of US crude oil production in 2023 and was the largest source of US associated gas production last year at 11.5 bcfd. In 2023, around two-thirds of total US associated gas production came from the Permian region, similar to 2022.
In 2023, 2.3 bcfd of associated gas was produced in North Dakota’s Bakken region; 70% of the region’s total natural gas production, the largest share among the five oil-producing regions (Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, Anadarko). The Eagle Ford region in southern Texas was the source of 1.8 bcfd of associated gas, while a combined 1.5 bcfd of associated gas was produced in the midcontinent Niobrara and Anadarko regions in 2023.
Associated natural gas accounted for 36.7% of US natural gas production in 2023, compared with 37.4% in 2022. EIA defines oil wells as those with a gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) of less than or equal to 6,000 cu ft of natural gas/barrel of oil produced (Mcf/b). Wells with a GOR greater than 6 Mcf/b as natural gas wells. Associated natural gas production has grown at a rate commensurate with dry natural gas production.
Associated gas contains NGLs such as ethane, butane, and propane and must be treated at gas processing plants to remove impurities and liquids before being marketed. The increase in associated gas has led to record ethane production.