Helms

Amid low commodity prices that may stick around for a year or two, North Dakota’s robust oil and natural production may see higher peaks and longer productivity for its wells than previously forecast, the state’s chief oil/gas official told state and local officials at a meeting of the oil/gas producing counties on Thursday.

A multi-billion-dollar St. Paul, MN-based agricultural cooperative conglomerate said Wednesday it is dropping long-standing plans to develop a major natural gas-based fertilizer plant in North Dakota, causing energy officials there to raise doubts of plans to add badly needed gas infrastructure and power generation.

With near-record production, prices for sweet Bakken crude oil continue to tumble, according to the latest report from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) released Friday. However, officials said current production levels cannot be sustained at the price points reached early this month below $30/bbl.

Thirteen states — including oil and natural gas heavyweights Alaska, Colorado, North Dakota and Wyoming — asked a federal judge on Monday to block the controversial Clean Water Rule (CWR) from taking effect at the end of the month.

Although its pipeline oversight is relatively limited, the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) this month has been focused on several major oil pipeline projects critical to moving Bakken crude to market.

North Dakota energy officials on Friday reported rebounding oil and natural gas production in the midst of declining prices. In May, gas production set an all-time mark, averaging 1.62 Bcf/d, according to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

North Dakota energy officials on Friday reported rebounding oil and natural gas production in the midst of declining prices. In May, gas production set an all-time mark, averaging 1.62 Bcf/d, according to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

When oil production was on a steep curve upward over the past five years, North Dakota oil/natural gas officials, like the industry they oversee, were working hard to keep up with the unparalleled growth. Today, they are working just as hard to figure out what the current pullback in that growth means longer term.

When oil production was on a steep curve upward over the past five years, North Dakota oil/natural gas officials, like the industry they oversee, were working hard to keep up with the unparalleled growth. Today, they are working just as hard to figure out what the current pullback in that growth means longer term.