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The number of producing gas wells in the U.S. rose slightly over the course of the last 12 months. In 2012, there were 482,782 active producing gas wells in the U.S. Last year that number rose to 487,323, a 0.9% rise.
Last year saw a number of U.S. states undergo significant increases in the number of producing gas wells within their borders. In the South-Central area, Arkansas experienced the biggest percentage increase in the number of active gas wells. During 2012, the state reported 8,538 active wells, but last year this figure increased to 9,787, up more than 14%. Pennsylvania also experienced strong growth, reporting an increase of 1,932 wells or 3.5%. West Virginia saw the largest increase in terms of raw well numbers. The state added 2,618 gas wells to the active number, reflecting a catch-up on numbers by the state agency.
| Estimated U.S. wells producing gas at the end of 2013 |
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Texas continues to boast more gas wells than any other state. Last year, the state saw a modest 1% overall increase, amounting to an additional 1,001 actual wells, in the number of active producers. District 9, in northern Texas, still leads the state in terms of active gas wells, with 18,447 reported last year; this represents a 3.3% increase. And District 6 came in second with 15,591 wells. District 1 experienced the most rapid growth, with 822 new wells added to its count.
Pennsylvania and West Virginia continue to hold second and third places, respectively, in terms of actual well numbers. Following in fourth, fifth and sixth places are Oklahoma, Ohio and Colorado.
Among states with more than 50 active wells, South Dakota and Missouri experienced the most significant percentage reductions to their respective well counts. In South Dakota, the well count fell 31.6%, representing a decline of 30 wells. This leaves the state with an active well count of just 65. And Missouri experienced a similar fall, with an 18% reduction.
However, by sheer numbers, the well count took the greatest hit in Ohio. In 2012, the state reported 35,104 active wells, but last year this fell 2,384 to 32,720.
In federal waters, the Gulf of Mexico well count dropped by 74, or 5%, to 1,400; the number of active gas wells in the Pacific increased by one, to seven. 
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