Search for liquids pushes US gas output higher

Production has risen for a sixth consecutive year, as demand also increases

US natural gas production grew for the sixth consecutive year, registering the largest year-on-year increase for nearly three decades. Total marketed production grew 7.9% in 2011 to 66.2 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) despite falling rig counts, with most additional output coming from the Haynesville, Marcellus, and Eagle Ford shales, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). "Production gains continued despite falling prices, as producers continued to capitalise on more efficient drilling technologies and target wet gas," the EIA said in its Natural Gas Year-in-Review report. "Additionally, a number of other factors helped to buoy production, including foreign joint-vent