The COVID-19 downturn has caused a shocking decline in new fracking operations in the U.S., with monthly numbers plunging to a bottom of just 325 wells in June. A Rystad Energy analysis shows that new operations are now set to rise to above 400 wells in July, and recovery will be especially evident in the Permian Basin, where activity has nearly tripled.

“While there is only one week left in July, the availability of data varies across the tens of thousands of locations covered, with a possible reporting lag temporarily concealing additional fracking activity. We therefore estimate that the final July frac count might surpass 400 wells, and will return to levels last seen in April 2020,” says Rystad Energy’s head of shale research, Artem Abramov.