ND oil, gas production numbers down slightly

Eloise Ogden/MDN
The most recent figures for oil and natural gas production in North Dakota show a slight decrease but those numbers are expected to rise again.

BISMARCK – North Dakota’s production of oil and natural gas declined slightly in June, according to the N.D. Department of Mineral Resources.

The June figures, released on Thursday, are the most recent figures available.

In June, the state produced 1,175,567 barrels of oil a day and in May, the state produced 1,198,086 barrels of oil a day. The all-time high was 1,519,037 barrels of oil a day in November 2019.

Mark Bohrer, assistant director of the Mineral Resources department, said the number of barrels of oil produced in June was down roughly 2%. He said it wasn’t that surprising because there were 121 fewer wells producing in June than in May and completion numbers were down slightly. He said the good news is it looks as if the July completion numbers will be up, so that will have a positive impact on production numbers.

Bohrer said natural gas production was down about 1%.

In June, the state produced 3,472,710 MCF a day of natural gas, and in May, the state produced 3,510,141 MCF a day. The all-time high was 3,582,821 MCF a day in December 2023.

On Thursday, the price of North Dakota light sweet crude oil was $64.75 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was $77.87 a barrel. The all-time high was in June 2008 when N.D. light sweet was $125.62 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was $134.02 a barrel.

In July, 107 wells were permitted and in June, 78 wells were permitted. The all-time high was 370 wells permitted in October 2012.

On Thursday, 37 rigs were actively drilling in North Dakota. One rig was drilling on federal surface. The all-time high was 218 rigs drilling in N.D. on May 29, 2012.

In June, 372 wells were waiting on completion.

In June, 18,973 wells (preliminary number) were producing. Of that number, 16,891 wells or 89% are now unconventional Bakken/Three Forks wells and 2,082 wells or 11% are produced from legacy conventional pools. The all-time high was 19,094 producing wells in May of this year.

On the Fort Berthold Reservation 196,135 barrels of oil a day were produced in June. Three rigs were actively drilling and 2,942 wells were active on the reservation. Ten wells were waiting on completion and 121 drilling permits were approved.

According to the Department of Mineral Resources, the drilling rig count remains low due to mergers and acquisitions but is expected to return to the mid-40s with a gradual increase expected over the next two years.

Drilling is expected to increase slightly, and operators continue to maintain a permit inventory of about 12 months.