Oil Production Steady in North Dakota

The state's wells produced 1.39 million barrels of crude per day in May.

BISMARCK, N.D. – State officials say oil production in North Dakota held steady this spring.

The state’s wells produced 1.39 million barrels of crude per day in May, just 800 per day more than in April. Despite the steady May numbers, North Dakota’s oil production is near the record set in January. And, the high level is creating some transportation challenges. Statewide, companies are flaring off 19 percent of all gas produced, higher than the 12 percent target.

Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms says work is underway on a number of facilities to capture more of that gas, including several processing plants and Oneok’s Elk Creek Pipeline, which will carry natural gas liquids from eastern Montana to Kansas.