Helms

Mostly harsh winter weather was attributed to North Dakota’s oil and natural gas production remaining depressed in February, the most recent month for which the state has complete statistics, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) Oil/Gas Division reported Friday. Final data from March and April likely will show a turnaround, DMR Director Lynn Helms said.

North Dakota’s record-setting pace for oil and natural gas production continued to slow for the most recent month reported, and the prospects are for the slowing trend to continue at least through March, the state’s top oil/gas official said Thursday.

State and national initiatives (see Shale Daily, March 13) to significantly cut flaring of associated gas in North Dakota’s Bakken Shale fields will result in some short-term cutbacks in the state’s record production growth, the state’s chief oil/natural gas regulator said Thursday.

North Dakota’s top oil and natural gas regulator on Monday outlined a new effort by the state to combat associated gas flaring at the wellhead as the amounts surged in the most recent production report.

Bitter cold, high winds and heavy snows have been gripping much of the country — and the economy — and the same is true in the North Dakota oil patch. Drilling and production statistics for December show that even heavy industrial activities like drilling and well completion have their limits when it comes to extreme weather.

Citing state policy that makes the state’s chief oil and natural gas regulator both a promoter and regulator for the industry, minority Democrat North Dakota state legislative leaders on Tuesday asked Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple to shake up the state Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) that oversees the oil/gas sector.

Federal safety investigators said Tuesday they have completed their on-site work regarding the twin oil tank rail derailments on Dec. 30 in Casselton, ND, and will continue their probe in Washington, DC.

While oil and natural gas production continued on its record-breaking trajectory, North Dakota’s burgeoning Williston Basin also produced some significantly higher prices for natural gas in the most recent statistics released Friday by the state Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

Seismic activity has picked up again this fall in North Dakota in areas outside the Bakken-Three Forks plays, according to the Lynn Helms, director of the state’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).