Oil production in North Dakota, the third-largest producing state in the U.S., rose by 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.2 million bpd in September, monthly data from the state’s Industrial Commission showed on Tuesday.
September’s production was the highest since April but will likely outpace October’s output, after wildfires crossed into key producing counties last month and potentially cut off around 500,000 barrels through October, according to Justin Kringstad, the director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority.
Currently, there are 16 active hydraulic fracturing crews in the state, down from 18 last month and from 20 in September, said Mark Bohrer, assistant director of the oil and gas division at the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.
Meanwhile, the state’s rig count has held steady. It could increase slightly in the coming years, said Bohrer, adding that there were 95 well completions in October.
“That’s a good number we need to maintain production,” Bohrer said.
Bakken oil delivered at Clearbrook, Minnesota was pricing at a 90-cent per barrel discount to West Texas Intermediate on Tuesday, according to Kringstad. That compares with an 88-cent premium last month.
(Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston; Editing by David Gregorio)