Bakken Shale oil production in North Dakota rebounded in July, topping 1 million b/d, but the state expects output to drop again without higher crude prices and more rigs in operation.

Chief oil and gas regulator Lynn Helms during a webinar Tuesday said oil and gas production jumped overall in July month/month by 16.5%.

Oil output grew in July to 32.2 million bbl (1.04 million b/d), compared to June’s 26.8 million bbl (893,591 b/d). Natural gas production climbed to 71.2 Bcf (2.29 Bcf/d) from 59.1 Bcf (1.97 Bcf/d).

Gas capture hit an all-time high of 91%, a 19% increase. The rate meets a statewide mandated percentage that takes effect in November.

More than 1,000 unconventional wells also were brought back online between June and July, along with 200 vertical wells,...