Drilling activity is on the rise in the Marcellus thanks to higher natural gas prices. Rig counts in northeastern Pennsylvania have doubled since the start of the year, improving the outlook for several G&P systems.
Clients can use East Daley Analytics’ Energy Data Studio to monitor rig activity by operator or G&P system in the Northeast and other basins. Producers were running 10 rigs in northeast PA in late April, up from 5 rigs at the start of 2025 (see figure). Coterra Energy (CTRA) has added back 2 rigs in recent months, while Repsol, Range Resources (RRC) and Infinity Natural Resources have each deployed 1 rig.
The dry window in northeast PA holds some of the most productive acreage targeting natural gas. The rig uptick aligns with strengthening prices back above $3/MMBtu, signaling renewed confidence across the basin.
In its 1Q25 results Monday (May 5), CTRA made clear the shift toward gas following the recent decline in oil prices. The producer plans to cut back on development in the Permian Basin, dropping guidance from 10 to 7 rigs for 2H25. Meanwhile, CTRA said it may keep the 2 rigs operating in Pennsylvania for the rest of the year. The company previously guided to bringing 10-15 Marcellus wells online by year-end.
The increase in rigs should add to volumes on midstream infrastructure later this year. In Energy Data Studio, we allocate the 2 additional CTRA rigs to Williams’ (WMB) Susquehanna Supply Hub, Repsol’s to the Repsol NE system, and Infinity’s to the Equitrans – Pennsylvania system now owned by EQT. – James Taylor Tickers: CTRA, EQT, RRC, WMB.
Data Center Demand Monitor - Available Now!
Introducing Data Center Demand Monitor by East Daley Analytics. This is your go-to source for tracking data center projects and demand. We monitor and visualize nearly 300 US data center projects. Use Data Center Demand Monitor to forecast demand, identify pipeline corridors and track data center projects. — Request your demo now of the Data Center Demand Monitor!
Get the FERC Intrastate Pipeline Data
Introducing East Daley’s latest data file: FERC 549D Intrastate Contract Data. This new offering delivers contract shipper data for intrastate pipelines — scrubbed and ready to use. Use the 549 data to identify which intrastate pipelines have available capacity, understand pipeline rate structures, gain insights into shippers, and spot contract cliffs and opportunities for higher rate renewals. Reach out to East Daley to learn more.
The Daley Note
Subscribe to The Daley Note for energy insights delivered daily to your inbox. The Daley Note covers news, commodity prices, security prices and EDA research likely to affect markets in the short term.
-1.png)