Drilled by Uncompleted (DUC) well inventory is a key element for ensuring that producers can more rapidly take advantage of changing prices. DUC wells can be brought to market more quickly. The Rig-to-Frac Crew ratio is a key indicator of whether DUC inventory will be rising or falling. Broadly, producers need about 2.5 rigs for every frac crew to keep their DUCs from falling. However, the ratio differs by basin. The following graphs show the rigs, frac crews, and rig/frac crew ratio by the major oil and natural gas producing basins in recent history.
Permian Basin
The Permian basin has been one of the fastest growing basins in the Lower 48 US. The rig to frac crew ratio has been averaged above 2.5 for most of 2025. However, DUCs continue to drop in the basin as the Permian basin requires a higher rig to frac crew ratio than 2.5 to keep DUCs from falling.
Northeast
While the Northeast hasn’t seen as much production growth as the Permian, the more mature Marcellus basin still manages to surprise many market participants to the upside on production. The Northeast rig to frac crew ratio is significantly lower than that of the Permian. However, the Northeast generally has longer lateral lengths, larger well-pads, and lower decline rates than those of the Permian and is able to have a rig to frac crew ratio under 2.5 and still keep DUCs from falling.
Haynesville
With higher decline rates and shorter lateral lengths on average, the Haynesville basin needs a rig to frac crew ratio of around 2.5 to keep DUCs from falling rapidly. The current rig to frac crew ratio in the basin is under 2.5, making future long-term production growth more uncertain without a significant increase in rigs relative to frac crews.
Mid-Continent
The Mid-Continent region includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. This region has seen strong and resilient natural gas production in 2025. One reason for this is due to the relatively high rig to frac crew ratio throughout the year. The ratio has averaged 4.0 year-to-date in 2025, well above the 2.5 ratio for keeping DUCs flat. As a result, DUCs have increased in the Mid-Continent region in 2025.
Summary
The Northeast and Mid-Continent regions appear to have high enough rig to frac crew ratios to be able to sustain long-term production growth. The Permian and Haynesville basins will likely need higher rig counts to continue production growth without running low on DUCs.