Report: U.S. natural gas supply remains abundant

The Potential Gas Committee (PGC) released their year-end assessment of the nation’s estimated natural gas resource base at an event hosted by the American Gas Association. Technically recoverable resources, those in the ground but not yet recovered, total 3,368 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). When you add in the recovered gas, the total gas (resources plus reserves) rises to a record 3,863 Tcf, up slightly from the comparable year-end 2018 assessment.

“This report affirms that Americans will have the clean natural gas that they need now and well into the future,” said Richard Meyer, Vice President, Energy Markets, Analysis and Standards for the American Gas Association. “The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily slowed drilling activity, but the United States continues robust natural gas production relative to history. Our total gas account as a measure of future supplies is as high as ever and, with supportive policies in place to ensure reliable supply, this vast energy resource is available to meet our energy needs and to support U.S. and global commitments to lowering emissions.”

The PGC’s year-end 2020 resource-specific assessment of 3,368 Tcf includes 3,212 Tcf of gas potentially recoverable from “traditional” reservoirs (conventional, tight sands, carbonates, and shales) and 157 Tcf in coalbed gas reservoirs.

According to the report: The Atlantic Area contains 39 percent of total U.S. gas resources, followed by the Mid-Continent with 18 percent. The Rocky Mountains has 17 percent of the potential future supply, while the Gulf Coast (including the Gulf of Mexico) contains 16 percent. Changes in the total assessment from year-end 2018 to year-end 2020 arose primarily from the evaluation of recent drilling, well tests, and subsequent production data from these four areas.

The full report is available at http://potentialgas.org/.