The Pinedale Anticline Development began the rush for the development of natural gas in the state of Wyoming.
Southwest of Pinedale, Wyoming, two fields began to see a steady increase in the flow
of natural gas. This resulted in a natural gas boom that industrialized the local
ranching and tourist economy, resulting in large impacts on the local wildlife and
air quality.
The production of natural gas brought in millions of dollars’ worth or tax money and
royalty revenues at the federal, state, and county level. Companies saw mass profits.
The Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA) is located on a narrow 30-mile swath of
land in central Sublette County, stretching just outside of the south end of the Pinedale
town limits and reaching about 70 miles north to Rock Springs, Wyoming. By the early
2000, PAPA was one of the newest and most productive gas fields in the United States.
The natural gas field has been a major contributor to the Wyoming and United States
energy industry, boosting the local economy and supporting the use of natural gas
throughout the US.
This article is provided through our partnership with Wyoming State Historical Society.