Oil and Gas Industry of Wyoming: Basins, Counties, 2022 vs 2023 Review

In Wyoming during 2023, the oil and gas industry experienced various trends and developments. Wyoming ranked 8th nationally in both crude oil and natural gas production, significantly contributing to the economy through property and severance taxes. The state had a peak of 27,951 producing wells in 2022, including oil and gas wells, with 33 operating gas plants processing nearly 97% of the state's gas production. Notably, 21 of Wyoming's 23 counties produce oil and/or natural gas, with Converse County leading in crude oil production and Sublette County in natural gas production​​.

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that crude oil production across the United States would increase to 12.8 million b/d in 2024.

Throughout 2023, oil production in Wyoming showed an upward trend, with more than 95 million barrels expected to be produced, an increase of about 3 million barrels from 2022. This rise in oil production was partly attributed to the completion of 110 newly drilled oil wells in the first half of the year, mainly in the Powder River Basin. However, natural gas production faced a decline due to the aging of wells and a low number of new gas wells being completed. Only 18 new gas wells were finished in the first half of 2023, with a noted interest in drilling applications, suggesting potential future developments.

National Context

Wyoming's position in the U.S. oil and gas industry is notable, especially when compared to the leading states like Texas and New Mexico. As of October 2023, Wyoming produced 6 million barrels of oil and 124.6 million MCF of gas.

In contrast, New Mexico, at the forefront of oil and gas production, reported an impressive output of 55.6 million barrels of oil and 261.3 million MCF of gas as of November 2023. Similarly, North Dakota, another key player, produced 34.6 million barrels of oil and 87.4 million MCF of gas during the same timeframe.

2022

In 2022, Wyoming's oil and gas industry bounced back to its pre-pandemic levels. Crude oil production increased, while natural gas production continued to decrease. The year also saw the return of oil and gas lease sales by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and a rise in the number of new wells being drilled, especially in the Powder River Basin. However, the market remained volatile.

Initially, experts predicted Wyoming would produce 85 million barrels of crude oil in 2022. But due to an unexpected rise in oil prices, from $83 per barrel in January to nearly $115 in June, this estimate was increased to 90 million barrels.

In the first half of 2022, over 100 oil or gas wells were completed in Wyoming, following 201 completions in 2021 and 224 in 2020. Many of these were wells that had been drilled previously but not completed. The southern Powder River Basin and Denver Basin saw most of the new well completions, targeting unconventional oil accumulations in Cretaceous-age 'tight' reservoirs, notably the Niobrara Formation. The Greater Green River Basin was the primary location for new natural gas well completions, with a smaller number in the Wind River and Bighorn basins.

Most of Wyoming's oil in the last two years came from Converse and Campbell counties in the Powder River Basin, making up about 60% of the state's total oil production. Laramie County, tapping into the Denver Basin, also emerged as a significant producer. This is a big change from a decade ago when these areas produced much less. For example, Laramie County only contributed 2% to Wyoming's oil production in 2013. Thanks to new drilling techniques and the development of unconventional oil fields, Wyoming's oil production doubled from 2009 to 2019.

The Converse County oil and gas project, approved in 2020, is expected to further increase production in the Powder River Basin, despite facing legal challenges. Drilling has started and can continue while the lawsuit is ongoing, indicating potential for future growth in Wyoming's oil and gas production.

For over a decade, up to and including 2022, Sublette County's large gas fields have consistently supplied around 50% of Wyoming's natural gas production. Sweetwater and Fremont counties also contribute significant amounts of natural gas. Additionally, 'associated gas' produced alongside oil in Converse and Campbell counties has become an important part of the state's natural gas output.

Despite a global increase in demand for liquefied natural gas and higher natural gas prices, which generally benefit the U.S. natural gas industry, it's unclear how these trends will impact Wyoming's operations. The production of natural gas across Wyoming's basins is either stable or declining.

In June of 2022, the Wyoming office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted an important oil and gas lease sale. During this event, 129 parcels were offered, spanning approximately 130 thousand acres. The sale successfully resulted in 81 parcels being sold, covering 67.6 thousand acres. This represented a significant decrease from the 570 thousand acres leased in 2020 and was much lower than the record 1.2 million acres leased in 2019. The following lease sale, scheduled for the second quarter of 2023, targeted 209 parcels, incorporating plans to develop around 150 wells in the Vermillion Basin.

2022 vs. 2023

• Total Wells

The total number of wells drilled increased slightly from 140,874 in 2022 to 141,228 in 2023, marking a 0.25% year-over-year (YoY) growth. This increment highlights ongoing exploration and production efforts in the state.

• Producing Wells

Conversely, the total producing wells experienced a decline from 27,110 to 25,425, reflecting a -6.22% YoY trend. This decrease could indicate the maturation of some fields or operational adjustments.

• Active Producers

The number of active producers in Wyoming dropped from 293 in 2022 to 255 in 2023, a -13% change, which may point to industry consolidation or the exit of less competitive firms.

• Permits

A stark decrease in approved permits from 109 in 2022 to none in 2023 (-100% YoY) could signify regulatory shifts or strategic pauses in new projects.

• Average Well Depth

The average well depth saw a marginal increase from 7,656 feet in 2022 to 7,660 feet in 2023, suggesting a consistent focus on accessing deeper reservoirs.

• Average BOE per Well

There was an improvement in the average BOE produced per well, from 993 in 2022 to 1,057 in 2023, indicating enhanced efficiency or the tapping of more productive reserves.

Despite the fluctuations in the global market, Wyoming's oil and gas industry managed to maintain its production levels through the year, mirroring the output seen in 2022. The industry benefited from the continued increase in global demand for petroleum, which supported the steady production rates. Although natural gas production had been on a decline since its peak in 2009, it was expected to stabilize or slightly increase due to the prevailing high prices, before forecasts indicated a return to a gradual decline after 2026.

Wyoming's Key Operators

Exxon Mobil stands out particularly for its natural gas production, operating several of the top-producing wells in the state. For instance, its operations in Sublette County, such as the Fogarty Creek Unit wells, have recorded gas productions ranging from approximately 1,019,240 MCF to 2,265,274 MCF in November 2023.

Contango Resources is another key player, especially noted for its operations in Fremont County. Its Big Horn wells, for instance, have produced substantial amounts of natural gas, with productions ranging from 890,009 MCF to 983,629 MCF in November 2023.

In Wyoming's oil and gas industry, both big and small companies are important. During 2021 and the first half of 2022, 288 smaller companies, each contributing less than 1% individually, together produced 18% of Wyoming's total oil. The top oil producer was EOG Resources, followed by big names like Continental Resources and Devon Energy.

For natural gas, 181 smaller companies, also each contributing less than 1% individually, added up to 11% of Wyoming's total natural gas output. The leading natural gas producers were PureWest Energy (previously known as Ultra Petroleum) and Exxon Mobil, with other key players including Jonah Energy and Crowheart Energy.

Top oil and gas producers by barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in Wyoming

Lease properties in Wyoming by barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)

TOP 10 Wyoming counties by state rank

Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin

In 2023, the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, which extends into parts of Wyoming, saw notable activities, investments, and shifts in operational focus by major companies. Occidental Petroleum (OXY) was expected to maintain a modest rig count in the DJ Basin, focusing more on the Permian Basin. However, projections indicated that with a one-rig program, OXY's gas volumes on the WES-DJ system could average 647 MMcf/d in 2023, with a total rig count on the system standing at 6. East Daley forecasted an average of 4.7 rigs in 2023 for the WES-DJ system, which would result in flat system production.

As of March 2023 Laramie County in Wyoming stood out with 513 horizontal wells and a daily production of 25,727 bo/d​​. In Wyoming, Occidental Petroleum was a significant player with a substantial daily production volume​.

In December 2023 Williams expanded its presence in the Denver-Julesburg Basin through two acquisitions: Cureton Midstream for $560 million and a 50% remaining interest in Rocky Mountain Midstream for $714 million.

Powder River Basin

In 2022, BLM started selling oil and gas leases again, leading to many new oil and gas wells being drilled and finished, especially in the Powder River Basin.

Devon Energy Corp and EOG Resources, Inc. are among the top operators by acreage, with Devon holding approximately 470,000 net acres and EOG holding about 400,000 net acres in the basin. Additionally, in terms of completions over the last 12 months, Anschutz Exploration Corporation leads with 83 completions, followed by EOG Resources, Inc. with 33 completions.

In August 2023 OneRock Energy expanded its presence in the basin with the acquisition of 160,000 net acres, focusing mainly in Converse, Campbell, and Johnson counties.

Niobrara Shale

The Niobrara Shale formation, situated within the Denver-Julesburg Basin, is primarily an oil play, located in northeastern Colorado and extends into parts of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas.

The Niobrara Shale is often compared to the successful Bakken Shale formation due to its significant resource potential. The development is mostly concentrated in the DJ Basin, focusing on multi-bench developments and the Codell formation. The play is also associated with nearby formations such as the Powder River coalbed methane, Mancos, and Mowry shale, which add further potential to the area.

As of early 2024, the EIA's Drilling Productivity Report highlights key production metrics for the Niobrara region. For instance, new-well oil production per rig was estimated at approximately 1,486 barrels per day in February 2024, with a slight increase projected for March 2024. Similarly, new-well gas production per rig was around 4,479 thousand cubic feet per day in February 2024, with an expected increase in the following month. Total oil production in Niobrara for February 2024 was around 711 thousand barrels per day, with a minor increase projected for March 2024. Gas production was about 5,372 million cubic feet per day, with a slight increase expected as well.

Big Horn Basin

In 2023, the Big Horn Basin in Wyoming saw notable activities in the oil and gas sector. Dallas-based Merit Energy Co. completed the first of four modern horizontal tests in Wyoming's oldest oil field, Grass Creek Field, located in the Big Horn Basin. These tests showed varying results, with the wells producing a range of oil outputs and significant amounts of water. For instance, one well, #3H Curtis, initially flowed 110 barrels of oil and 1.496 million barrels of water per day, while another, #4H Curtis, initially flowed 253 barrels of oil and 1.109 million barrels of water per day. These activities highlight the continued exploration and production efforts in the region​​.

Additionally, Vaquero Big Horn LLC, an operator in the Big Horn Basin, reported having 224 total wells with 104 currently producing wells as of November 2023. In Park County alone, they produced 27,677 barrels of oil in November 2023, indicating a significant level of production activity within the region.