Overall North Dakota production up slightly; 802 wells awaiting completion
The North Dakota Industrial Commission released its January 2017 Oil and Gas Production Report today, outlining hydrocarbon activity in the state for January 2017. Production is up from levels seen in December for both oil and gas.
Production
The NDIC reported that oil production is 980 MSTBPD in January, up from 942 MSTBPD in December. Like last month, 95% of this production is from the Bakken and Three Forks formations. Gas production is up as well at 1,556 MMcf/d, from 1,537 MMcf/d in December. Gas flaring is down to 12%, from 14% in December. This is because the winter-related freezing problems seen in December were at least partially resolved.
Williams County increase
Williams County saw the largest increase in production in January, with oil production up by 8% and gas production up by 4%.
Producing wells are down slightly to 13,333, from 13,337 in December:
- 86% of these wells target unconventional formations
- 14% produce from legacy conventional plays
Rigs active in the state are increasing, from 38 in January to a current estimate of 44. All but 2% of current drilling targets the Bakken and Three Forks formations.
The number of well completions decreased significantly from 84 in December to 54 in January. The estimated number of wells waiting on completion decreased by 5 to 802.
