Locator: 51822B.
Before we get started, this is truly bizarre. I can't find "Jane Nielsen," "Saving The West," or "Don't Believe The Hype. Sure, There's Some Oil There, But Not Much." Having spent a fair amount of time searing for "Jane Nielsen" and her article on the Bakken years ago, it appears she has disappeared. I can't even find the link on my blog. Bizarre. Whatever.
Now this from "Alison":
North Dakota’s oil industry set new records in July as operators accelerated well completions and leaned harder into longer laterals.
The state counted 20,072 producing wells in July, a new high, with inactive wells dropping by about 500 each month and total producing wells rising by roughly 111, month over month.
July oil production came in at 1.156 million barrels per day.
“Current production and prices are above revenue forecast. We're seeing a stable rig count, continuing to see an increase in three- and four-mile lateral wells being drilled, and we're continuing to see operators decrease the time from spud to first production,” said Gunter Harms, speaking for the DMR.
The DMR’s internal rig count showed about 34 drilling rigs active in North Dakota, with no net change from August to September, though rigs have shifted among operators. August saw 84 drilling permits approved, compared with 93 in July and 85 in June, indicating steady permitting activity. Wells waiting on completion continued to fall as completions rose, with 9 frac crews operating in the state.
Longer laterals remain a key driver. In 2024, operators completed roughly 10.67 million feet of lateral, with the share of three- and four-mile laterals steadily increasing. Current permitting is roughly 46% two-mile laterals, 46% three-mile and 8% four-mile.
Quick connects:
North Dakota oil output seen rising in August, state regulator says -- EnergyNow.com
• North Dakota oil production and tax revenue keeps rising as US-Iran war drags on -- InForum
• Commentary: North Dakota lawmakers punt on data center concerns -- North Dakota Monitor
• Rising diesel costs negatively impact trucking industry in North Dakota -- KFYR-TV
• North Dakota Industrial Commission approves $600,000 in grants for renewable projects -- KX News
• Public hearing set for 67 wind turbine farm proposed for northwest North Dakota -- North Dakota Monitor
• Environmental review timeline set for Steel Reef Flat Lake Access Pipeline Project -- Pipeline & Gas Journal
• Protests didn't stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Tribal leaders still see an impact. -- North Dakota Monitor
• EPA awards more than $1.5M to North Dakota to support brownfield cleanup activities -- Kevin Cramer
• Armada CEO highlights sovereign AI and distributed data centers in North Dakota partnership -- WDAY
• ONEOK named NDPC Member of the Year at annual meeting in Watford City -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Outgoing Chairman Todd Slawson recognized by NDPC for enduring impact -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Is a data center 'worth chasing'? Divide officials are unsure, but have regulations in place -- The Journal
• Mandan petition with 703 signatures seeks vote on banning large AI data centers -- Bismarck Tribune
• City of Aberdeen has sold more than one million gallons of water to Ellendale data center -- KFYR-TV
• Jennifer Turnbow named new director of ND Department of Environmental Quality -- North Dakota Monitor
• North Dakota Supreme Court races are nonpartisan, but Republicans play a big role -- North Dakota Monitor
• Secretary of State sends out 2026 ballot measure guide ahead of November election -- Bismarck Tribune
• ND livestock relief program funds 470 projects as most of state remains in drought -- North Dakota Monitor
• Audit finds documents missing or incomplete for millions in ND fund transactions -- Bismarck Tribune
• Over $1 million awarded to NDDOT for improvements supporting Minot Air Force Base -- Kevin Cramer
• Residential property insurance projected to jump in North Dakota, analysis shows -- North Dakota Monitor
• Armstrong leads beam signing ceremony marking milestone for new State Hospital -- Office of the Governor
• So long, summer 2026: Season will go down on record among the driest ever -- Prairie Public Newsroom
• Sponsor, opponent debate need for ND ballot measure to change constitution -- North Dakota Monitor
• Lawmakers seek AG probe after audit finds problems with business financing -- North Dakota Monitor
• FEMA awards $7.7 M in grant dollars to North Dakota Fire Departments and first responders -- KFYR-TV
• State's eight commercial service airports report 4% decrease compared to August 2025 -- Minot Daily News
• Veteran educator from rural North Dakota is taking home the state's highest teaching honor -- KFYR-TV
• Feds investigate University of North Dakota for reporting of foreign funding -- North Dakota Monitor
• Changes to federal funding system could gut North Dakota K-12 technology budgets -- Bismarck Tribune
• Tioga Public School board approves budget as rising valuation drives mill levy down -- Williston Herald
• Williston Basin school board unanimously approves 2026-2027 year budget and levy -- Williston Herald
• Teachers at Dickinson Middle School hold assembly for Constitution Day and 9/11 -- Dickinson Press
• New high school program offers North Dakota students early path to firefighting careers -- KFYR-TV
• Free school meal ballot measure debated at Greater ND Chamber Policy Summit -- North Dakota Monitor
• State Superintendent and High School Activities Association announce launch of the Dakota Cup -- KFYR-TV
• North Dakota's 11 public colleges and universities reported stable fall enrollment -- North Dakota Monitor
• North Dakota K-12 math and English proficiency data delayed due to testing issues -- Bismarck Tribune
• Dickinson Public Schools board discusses 2026-2027 preliminary budget during meeting -- Dickinson Press
• Arnegard school owners contest $8M rehab figure, place property on market -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Local businesses bring construction equipment to SWCTE for Demo Day event -- Dickinson Press
• Ray Public School officials praise ongoing progress on design of elementary expansion -- The Journal
• NDSU reports first overall enrollment drop in 3 years, but sees growth in certain areas -- Dickinson Press
• CSPS board to hold town hall addressing dire needs ahead of general election -- The Center Republican
• North Dakota scholarships help keep high school students in state after graduation -- Minot Daily News
• Hazen School District unanimously approves 2026-27 budget, setting road map for year ahead -- Hazen Star
• Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation reports record-breaking attendance in Medora -- Dickinson Press
• Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library has appointed Robbie Lauf interim CEO -- Bismarck Tribune
• Williams County Commission approved its final 2027 budget and proposed 3% levy -- Williston Herald
• Commission advances data center noise rules, hears concerns of 1100+ citizens -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Minot City Council approved the 2027 budget on second reading following weeks of discussion -- KFYR-TV
• Board decorum challenged, demands sheriff attendance, dispatch upgrades -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Plans to revitalize downtown Watford City took center stage at meeting -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Fred Fox, Darwin Williams will advance to general election for MHA Nation Chairman election -- KFYR-TV
• Williston vote reduces 2027 budget, retains 3% levy increase; follows three failed motions -- Williston Herald
• Mercer County Commission maintains ordinances following grievance hearings on 4-1 vote -- Hazen Star
• Tax relief on the horizon as McKenzie County trims $1M from proposed budget -- McKenzie County Farmer
• September rainfall is finally putting water back onto drought-stricken landscapes -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Once-in-a-lifetime hunt: Childhood dream comes true in North Dakota Badlands -- McKenzie County Farmer
• Bowman City Commissioners passed a new budget for calendar year 2027 -- Bowman County Pioneer
• Lignite Energy Council outfits all four teams in Coal Bowl and Coal Classic Showdown -- Hazen Star
• Ward County Commission met September 23 to finalize a 2027 budget of $66.13 million -- Minot Daily News
• Demolition underway in downtown Watford City as city begins Area Two redevelopment project -- KFYR-TV
• Oil is back above $100?but economists say that number isn't the real threat to the U.S. economy -- Fortune
• Refineries needed as Texas production maxes out; running at over 97% capacity -- Odessa American
• Oil price dips below $100 on hopes of US-Iran diplomacy, partial recovery in Saudi exports -- Reuters
• Diesel prices have rallied in Europe and the United States to record highs as wars cut exports -- Reuters
• The Left's climate crusade fuels the energy affordability crisis they claim to fight -- Washington Examiner
• Oil stocks in US strategic petroleum reserve fall to 284.6M barrels, lowest level since 1982 -- Reuters
• Average retail price of diesel in the US topped $6.50 per gallon amid worsening global fuel crunch -- Oil Price
• Senate Democrats block House-passed legislation to keep data center costs off electric bills -- Townhall
• Oil market is living on borrowed time as flows through Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted -- Oil Price
• Share of coal-fired power plants in India running on critically low levels of inventory soaring -- Oil Price
• API says diesel export ban would wreak havoc at home and abroad. Here's why. -- API
• US will either reform IEA on climate issues or leave the group, energy secretary Wright says -- Reuters
• Oil settles up around 4% as Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian vows to never surrender -- Reuters
• Only three commodity vessels moved through Strait of Hormuz in past day; 80% below average -- Oil Price
• President Trump announces he is creating "AI Force" without offering details about its purpose -- KFYR-TV
• American Businesses Aren't Allowed to Build. It's Time Congress Helped Them. -- Sen. Kevin Cramer
• Deleting "climate science" chapter from academic guidance protects legitimacy of courts -- RealClearEnergy
• Senator Kevin Cramer: Energy is a constant geopolitical linchpin -- Washington Times
• Exclusive: BP eyes Devon Energy asset amid renewed US M&A ambitions, sources say -- Reuters
• US will make up to $7 billion in loans to help Trump ally Milei tap Argentina's oil and minerals -- The Hill
• Carbon management engineering company Spiritus signs deals with three US oil producers -- Oil Price
• Repealing CO2 rules is a good start, passing ARC-ES bill would make it last -- Empowerment Alliance
• Climate history is not a predictor of the future, tree stumps emerge from melting glaciers -- RealClearEnergy
• Bloomberg-backed climate group quietly shuts down after years of funding state AG lawyers -- Free Beacon
• Repeal of CO2 emissions standards for power plants spurs near-instant litigation -- Manhattan Contrarian
• Blue state climate lawsuits are driving up the price of energy, consumers are paying the price -- The Hill
