Wyoming Gas And Oil Drilling Permits Down

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management processed fewer oil and gas drilling permits in Wyoming last year than in any year since 2003, the agency’s Wyoming office reports.

The BLM’s Wyoming office says it processed 2,162 oil and gas drilling permits last year, down from 3,681 in 2008.

Wyoming produces far more gas than oil. The state’s gas production has been increasing steadily since 1997 and the industry has become a major part of Wyoming’s economy.

Wyoming has produced about 2.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas through September, according to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Final 2009 figures weren’t yet available, but production was nearing 2008’s record 2.3 trillion cubic feet, despite the slowdown in drilling.

The state’s gas-rich areas have been struggling with job losses. Meanwhile, statewide unemployment is up — almost double the rate this time last year.


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