North Dakota officials last Friday re-allocated $16 million from federal Covid-19 funds to reduce a growing number of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUC) while creating up to 1,000 temporary jobs in the oil and gas sector.

ND crude and gas production

The action by the state Emergency Commission chaired by Gov. Doug Burgum was part of an effort to reassign slightly more than $221 million of unused funds from the state’s $1.2 billion in coronavirus aid, relief and economic security (CARES) Act funding. The $16 million was part of a $66.4 million allocation for plugging and reclamation of 380 abandoned wells, which will be completed next year.

Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said the excess funds would support the cost of the water and processing, along with supporting five to 10...