Extract from a comment on USA Government inaction on Climate...

Extract from a comment on USA Government inaction on Climate (and source of drilling info)

"From about 50,000 barrels per day to 1,286,000 barrels per day. Much has been written about the Bakken formation, mostly in North Dakota; but more spectacular results of smart drilling can be seen from the Eagle Ford formation in Texas, where conventional drilling and hydraulic fracturing were used for several years before smart drilling. Eagle Ford has easier access to refineries than the Bakken in North Dakota.

From 2007 through 2009, the production of oil from Eagle Ford formation was running about 50,000 barrels per day. Starting in 2010, with the application of smart drilling, production has steadily increased to an Energy Information Administration's estimated 1,286,000 barrels per day in early February 2014. As importantly, the new-well oil-production per drill-rig has increased from about 50 barrels per day to about 275 barrels per day. The projected net increase in production is about 34,000 barrels per day, from February to March, 2014.

Similarly, the natural gas production from Eagle Ford has increased from about 1,500 million cubic feet/day in 2009 to 6,260 million cubic/day for February. The new-well production per rig remains about the same: 1,200,000 per day. The projected net increase in production of natural gas is about 123,000,000 cubic feet per day, from February to March.

Two things can be observed from this experience. One, although the Administration takes credit for the shale revolution ,it occurred without its assistance. The Administration has not promoted the deployment of smart drilling with special favors, special tax breaks, mandates, subsidies, etc. Previously, the government did help with research in sensor technology and horizontal drilling. Two, contrary to the claims by some, the production appears sustainable, however that is defined. The spectacular growth rate may decline, but it appears the production level will continue to grow, unless oil prices collapse or the Federal government intervenes. Note that the time frames in the links are different with one stopping in June, 2013 and the other continuing to February 2014.
http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/drillin.
and
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/