On Track for 1,989 New Permits for North Dakota in Calendar Year 2011

With 1,798 new permits issued so far this year, and at 330 calendar days in the year so far (as of December 9, 2011), "we" are on track for 1,989 new permits this year; most of them will be for the Bakken Pool.

Previous years:

• 2006: 422
• 2007: 497
• 2008: 953
• 2009: 628
• 2010: 1,682
• 2011: 1,989 (estimate as of December 9, 2011) 

It's interesting to look back on number of permits. I opined numerous times that 2010 would be a watershed year for the Bakken and based on this one data point alone, it certainly was. In 2010, the Berthold Reservation was opened up. 2011 was the year "we" entered the manufacturing phase of developing the Bakken.

I predict that 2012 will be another watershed year for the Bakken. Activity will move to northeastern and north-central McKenzie County (especially around the Watford City and northwest from there to Indian Hill, just across the river from Williston. We will also have more clarity with regard to EPA's strategy to shut down the Bakken.