Rigzone: Despite Tough Winter, North Dakota Still Setting Records

Rigzone is not saying anything we don't already know, but it's nice to see Rigzone printing the story.

Highlights of the story, taken from the Director's Cut:

• North Dakota State University study completed in January: every well in the state has a $3 million impact on the state's economy as the dollars flow through the state
• Ergo, 5,332 wells produce about $16 billion in "total business volume" -- of course that's over time; most of those wells were drilled years ago
• The NDSU study estimates the oil and gas industry had a total business volume of $13 billion in North Dakota for the year 2010
• State spokesman said most drilling targets Bakken/Three Forks in northwestern part of the state, but drilling is picking up in the southwest, south of Dickinson
• Even South Dakota is seeing some exploratory activity
• Fracking was mentioned as the chokepoint
• January, 2011: a record 5,332 producing wells; compare with 4,190 a year earlier