Energizing Kansas
Mark Green
Posted September 2, 2016
The varied energy story in Kansas includes oil and natural gas production, refining, critically important pipeline infrastructure and significant contributions from renewables, chiefly wind.
Click on the thumbnail to open a two-page energy infographic for the Sunflower State.
In other words, Kansas – while not one of the country’s top energy producers – has an integral role in the overall U.S. energy picture.
For example, in 2014 Kansas had 24,354 producing natural gas wells or 4.7 percent of the national total, ranking 8th among the states. There’s significant energy potential in the Hugoton Gas Area in southwestern Kansas, which ranks No. 15 among the nation’s top gas fields, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Kansas also is home to three refineries with a combined capacity of around 340,000 barrels of crude per day. Meanwhile, 13 interstate natural gas pipelines cross the state. The state’s Mid-Continent Center, a 194-mile pipeline system, merges production from a number of states and distributes it to various markets.
Kansas used more coal and natural gas than any other energy source in 2014. Combined, fuel products from oil and natural gas accounted for nearly 54 percent of the state’s energy use. Renewables, particularly wind, play an important part. Wind supplied 24 percent of Kansas’ net electricity generation in 2015.
The story in Kansas is similar to energy stories around the country. Our nation is powered by a variety energy sources, led by oil and natural gas. We’re fortunate that the ongoing U.S. energy renaissance, which has made our country the No. 1 oil and gas producer in the world, is providing abundant supply that’s helping the economy, cutting costs for U.S. consumers and making our nation more energy secure. Needed are pro-development policies to extend these energy benefits – detailed on Page 2 of the infographic.
Energy is essential for virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It powers national, state and local economies, gets us to work and goes into products we rely on for health and comfort. Safe, responsible energy development here at home is linked to national security as well as Americans’ individual prosperity and liberty – in Kansas and all the 50 states of energy.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.