Active drilling rigs, hydraulic fracturing crews and drilling permits all are creeping upward in North Dakota, though workforce challenges remain a hindrance to faster growth, the state’s top oil regulator said Tuesday (July 19).

north dakota production chart

North Dakota had 42 active rigs as of Tuesday (July 19), which also was the monthly average for June. This is up from 40 in May and 38 in April, according to the state’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

The number of active fracturing crews stood at 18, up from 16 a month earlier, but below the pre-covid number of 25.

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Drilling permits totaled 77 in June, up from 68 in May and 55 in April.

Permitting...