104

New record: 104 active rigs in North Dakota.

Bismarck Tribune: number of rigs reflect the boom.

Bismarck/Mandan news: rigs may set records.

1981: 148 rigs in North Dakota
Probably won't hit 148 this summer due to lack of water for fracking, housing for workers
Another 20 to 25 rigs on their way into ND once load restrictions (winter) are lifted
Drillers currently pumping about 2% of estimated reserves
Companies talking about pumping as much as 15% of estimated reserves

I have opined that companies might be pumping as much as 5% right now, but I never, in my wildest dreams, would have suggested they might get as much as 15% -- that changes everything and explains why producers are willing to pay $8,000 per mineral acre.

With regard to access to water, the governor will sign off on a plan to draw water from the Missouri River. 

I've counted as many as five (5) rigs for BEXP and on this date they had only three (3) -- according to the NDIC web site. I assume BEXP still has five rigs, and when these two become active, we will be up to 106. Obviously the number of active rigs fluctuates from day-to-day as rigs are moved from site to site.

And folks accuse me of being irrationally exuberant.