U.S. independent Hess Corp. has added a third rig in the Bakken Shale and may consider a fourth next year amid continued commodity price strength.

Hess

The New York-based producer is ramping up Bakken activity after curtailments last year from the coronavirus. Net production from the Bakken was 148,000 boe/d in the third quarter compared with 198,000 boe/d in the prior-year quarter. 

“The Bakken is expected to generate significant free cash flow in the years ahead,” CEO John Hess said Wednesday during a quarterly earnings call. The company is “positioned to deliver strong and durable cash flow growth through the end of the decade based upon the most recent sell-side consensus estimates.”

During the third quarter, Hess drilled 18 Bakken wells, completed 22 more and brought...