Fracking & Shale Production Data
Comprehensive data on US hydraulic fracturing activity: rig counts, basin production, frac spreads, and well permits. Power your analysis with real-time drilling intelligence.
What is Fracking?
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is a drilling technique that extracts oil and natural gas from shale rock formations deep underground. The process involves:
1Vertical Drilling
A wellbore is drilled vertically down 1-3 miles to reach the target shale formation containing trapped oil and gas.
2Horizontal Turn
The drill turns 90 degrees to drill horizontally along the shale layer for 1-2 miles, maximizing rock exposure.
3Hydraulic Fracturing
High-pressure fluid (water, sand, chemicals) is pumped into the wellbore to create fractures in the rock, releasing trapped hydrocarbons.
4Production
Oil and gas flow through the fractures to the wellbore and up to the surface. Peak production typically occurs in the first 12-18 months.
The combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing revolutionized US energy production beginning around 2008, enabling extraction from previously inaccessible shale formations. By 2018, the US became the world's largest oil producer, surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia.
US Fracking Production Statistics
Data sources: EIA, Baker Hughes. Updated weekly. View live rig count →
Major US Shale Oil Basins
All basinsPermian Basin
OilTexas, New Mexico
Largest US oil producer. Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations.
Bakken Shale
OilNorth Dakota, Montana
Major tight oil play in the Williston Basin.
Eagle Ford Shale
OilSouth Texas
High liquids content shale with favorable economics.
Niobrara / DJ Basin
OilColorado, Wyoming
Tight oil formation in the Denver-Julesburg Basin.
Major US Shale Gas Basins
Top US Fracking Operators (by Rig Count)
| Operator | Primary Basins | Est. Rigs |
|---|---|---|
| Exxon Mobil | Permian, Bakken | 45 |
| Chevron | Permian, DJ Basin | 38 |
| Pioneer Natural Resources | Permian | 32 |
| EOG Resources | Permian, Eagle Ford | 28 |
| Devon Energy | Permian, Anadarko | 24 |
| ConocoPhillips | Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford | 22 |
Estimated active rigs. Data updated weekly from Baker Hughes and company reports.
Fracking Data via API
Access comprehensive fracking and drilling intelligence programmatically. Real-time data on rig counts, frac spreads, well permits, and basin production.
GET /v1/rig-counts/latest GET /v1/drilling-intelligence/frac-spreads GET /v1/drilling-intelligence/well-permits GET /v1/prices/historical?by_code=WTI_USD
Rig Counts
Weekly Baker Hughes data by basin
Frac Spreads
Active completion crews by region
Well Permits
New drilling permits by state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fracking (hydraulic fracturing)?
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is a drilling technique used to extract oil and natural gas from shale rock formations. High-pressure fluid is injected into underground rock to create fractures, allowing oil and gas to flow to the wellbore. Combined with horizontal drilling, fracking has revolutionized US energy production since the early 2000s.
How much oil does the US produce from fracking?
Fracking (shale oil) accounts for approximately 65% of US oil production, or about 8.5 million barrels per day. The Permian Basin alone produces over 6 million barrels daily. The US became the world's largest oil producer in 2018, largely due to the shale revolution.
What are the major fracking basins in the United States?
The major fracking basins for oil include: Permian Basin (Texas/New Mexico), Bakken Shale (North Dakota), Eagle Ford Shale (Texas), and Niobrara/DJ Basin (Colorado). For natural gas, the Marcellus Shale (Pennsylvania), Haynesville Shale (Louisiana), and Utica Shale (Ohio) are the largest producers.
Where can I get fracking production data via API?
OilPriceAPI provides REST API access to fracking-related data including US rig counts, basin production data, frac spread counts, and well permits. Start with 100 free API calls, then upgrade for full drilling intelligence access at $129/month with the Reservoir Mastery plan.
What is a frac spread count and why does it matter?
A frac spread is a crew and equipment set that performs hydraulic fracturing operations. Frac spread counts measure active completion activity and are a leading indicator of future production. Increases in frac spreads typically precede production growth by 2-4 months.
How does horizontal drilling work with fracking?
Horizontal drilling involves drilling vertically down to the target formation, then turning the drill bit to drill horizontally along the shale layer. This exposes more rock surface area. Combined with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing along the horizontal wellbore, operators can extract significantly more oil and gas than from a vertical well alone.