Number of North Dakota Wells Idled By Harsh Weather Sets Decade-Long Record

Number of idle wells in North Dakota -- due to harsh weather -- reached a decade high.

Link here. Regional links break early and break often.

The number of wells idled by harsh weather in North Dakota's oil patch this year reached the highest level in a decade, stranding countless barrels of crude at well sites where they were unable to be shipped to market, state and industry officials say.

Oil drilling, however, continues at a record pace in the state.

Lynn Helms, director of the state Department of Mineral Resources, said in a statement that there were 822 idle wells in February, up from 760 in January and the highest number since April 2001.

The April Director's Cut is linked here.

In general, February, 2011, statistics for production were better than those in January, 2011, but just barely. No new records were set, except for number of active wells.