Shale drilling to help offset production declines elsewhere

The US Lower 48 (L48) average rig count is expected to grow only moderately in 2018 while operators focus primarily on completions and production management rather than on drilling. Rig count growth accelerated during 2017, but Wood Mackenzie analysts expect slower average growth in 2018-19 rig counts, saying producers now are focused on completions.
Source: News