The oil and gas industry plays an integral role in the economy of Wyoming. Here you will find the latest oil and gas facts and figures from Wyoming, including development, taxes, employment and more. For more information on oil and gas development in general, as well as in Wyoming, visit our Oil and Gas 101 page.
Oil and Gas Facts & Figures 2021
EXPLORATION
The petroleum industry has been exploring for oil and gas in Wyoming for over 135 years. In 1884 the first oil well was drilled southeast of present day Lander.
The deepest well drilled in Wyoming to date was a 25,764-foot dry hole. The deepest producing well is a gas well drilled to 24,877 feet.
The 2019 monthly average rig count was 32. The 2016 average of 11 is the lowest recorded rig count. In 1981, the all-time record year for rotary rig activity in Wyoming, was an average of 192 units working monthly.
PRODUCTION
During an unprecedented 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of crude oil production totaled 88.9 million barrels, down 12.74% from 2019. Sales of natural gas production in 2020 totaled 1.298 trillion cubic feet down 10.83% from 2019.
Nationally, Wyoming ranked 8th in production of both crude oil and natural gas in 2019. In 2009 Wyoming recorded its highest level of natural gas production, while 2009 marked the lowest level of crude oil production since 1954. 1970 was the year of highest crude oil production in the state, producing 141,546,503 barrels.
For the third year in a row, Converse County was the leading crude oil producer in 2020 followed by Campbell and Laramie Counties. Sublette County remained the largest natural gas producer in Wyoming, with Sweetwater County in second and Converse County taking over third from Fremont County.
During 2020, 317 companies/operators produced Wyoming’s crude oil and 211 produced natural gas. In 2020 approximately 110,525 wells produced oil and 14,449 produced gas of that number 5,238 were coal bed natural gas wells.
Wyoming had 35 operating gas plants in 2019 processing nearly 97% of the state’s gas production.
REFINING AND TRANSPORTATION
Wyoming’s first refinery was constructed in Casper in 1895. In 2018 there were 5 operating refineries in the state with a capacity to refine 168,500 barrels of crude oil each day. In 1981 there were 14 active refineries in the state.
The first crude oil pipeline was constructed in 1911. Today, there are approximately 100 companies operating approximately 30,000 miles of pipelines in Wyoming, not including all gathering systems or all inactive or abandoned pipelines. Pipelines are located in all of Wyoming’s 23 counties and carry crude, natural gas, natural gas liquids, carbon dioxide and petroleum products.
According to a 2017 study produced by the American Petroleum Institute, midstream operations in Wyoming support 9,217 jobs and contribute an annual average to state GPD of $609 million.
PROPERTY TAXES
Oil and gas production, by itself, accounted for over 40% of the total property taxes levied in Wyoming and nearly 70% of the property taxes levied on all minerals.
Property taxes levied – 2020 Mineral Production
| Crude Oil | $311,758,390 |
| Natural Gas | $155,766,609 |
| Oil and Gas Total | $467,224,999 |
| Coal | $154,403,861 |
| Trona | $33,617,714 |
| All Others | $9,652,584 |
| Total All Minerals | $664,899,158 |
| TOTAL All-State Property | $1,223,267,627 |
Minerals as a Percentage of Property Taxes
- Oil and Gas
- Coal
- All Others
- Non-Mineral Property
- Oil and Gas
- Coal
- All Others
- Non-Mineral Property
Minerals are the only class or kind of property in Wyoming valued and taxed at 100% of their actual value. Minerals are also the only class or kind of property which pay two direct taxes (property and severance).
SEVERANCE TAXES
Crude oil and natural gas production paid over $274 million in severance taxes, about 59% of all the severance taxes paid by minerals produced in 2020.
Severance Taxes – 2020 Production
| Crude Oil | $170,157,070 | ||
| Natural Gas | $104,194,835 | ||
| Oil and Gas Total | $274,351,905 | ||
| Coal | $170,105,953 | ||
| Trona | $15,155,384 | ||
| All Others | $2,392,342 | ||
| Total All Minerals | $462,005,583 |
Percentage of Severance Taxes Collected
- Oil and Gas
- Coal
- Trona
- All Others
- Oil and Gas
- Coal
- Trona
- All Others
ROYALTIES
In addition to property and severance taxes, Wyoming collects a royalty for petroleum produced on state-owned lands along with certain fees and rentals. The state also receives one-half of the royalties paid to the federal government for leasing, production, and fees on federal lands. Typically, the royalty rate on state leases is 16 2/3%. On federal lands, the rate is 12 1/2%.
RESERVES
At the beginning of 2017, Wyoming ranked 7th in the nation in proved reserves of crude oil and 8th in natural gas proved reserves. Crude oil reserves for 2017 are 1,119 million barrels. Natural gas reserves for 2017 are 22 trillion cubic feet. 1960 was the largest year for crude oil reserves. 2009 was the largest year for natural gas reserves.
GENERAL
In 2019 Wyoming’s petroleum industry directly employed over 19,000 people with an annual payroll of nearly $1.12 billion. In 1981 employment peaked with more than 32,000 individuals working in the industry.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Industry (in millions)
- Oil and Gas
- Travel and Tourism
- Agriculture
- Oil and Gas
- Travel and Tourism
- Agriculture
In fiscal year 2020 oil and gas production contributed the following to state and local governments:
The Oil & Gas Industry’s Share of Property Assessed for Taxation by County Fiscal Year 2020
All data obtained from the State of Wyoming and/or federal agencies.
Currently, a 6% severance tax rate applies to crude oil and natural gas production (4% on stripper). Severance tax revenues are distributed to a variety of funds including: General Fund, Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, schools, cities, towns, highways, counties and water development.