North Dakota’s Bakken Oil Play

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Updated Friday, July 3, 2009

 
 
Mountrail County is a rolling grassland of nearly 2000 square miles in northwestern North Dakota. The county's economy has long been based on agriculture. It is a land of farms and ranches together with small towns providing services to the rural population.

In 2007 the county found itself in the heart of the state’s oil development, thanks to the Bakken Formation.

The Bakken (BAH-ken) is a vast, deep formation of permeable rock rich in both natural gas and quality crude oil. The Bakken is also being tapped in Montana and Saskatchewan.

During 2008 the oil and gas fields in Mountrail County expanded as fast as labor, materials, housing, transportation and state permitting allowed. The expansion was fueled by innovative drilling and extracting technologies and, initially, favorable crude prices. Activities slowed down during the winter; it continues to pick up as summer weather and prices become more favorable.

 

BakkenBlog’s single purpose: to provide information about Bakken energy development both to locals and to former residents who have an interest in northwestern North Dakota.

We avoid advertising and try to keep a lid on promotion. We don’t affiliate with other websites (other than through linking). Our intent is to present news, data, reports and other information about the Bakken Play and Three Forks developments.

We offer occasional remarks in our Crude Talk section but otherwise leave speculation and opinion to others. Crude Talk last updated July 3rd.

The Bakken:
“largest continuous oil accumulation ever assessed by the USGS”

United States Geological Survey

Recent prices,
ND Sweet Crude »

Future contract trades,
Light Sweet Crude »

Newcomer to North Dakota’s oil and gas industry? In addition to information in BakkenBlog, you’ll find this 9-page FAQ from the North Dakota Petroleum Council (PDF format) very helpful. Topics include:

  1. •Surface Owner Questions

  2. •Mineral Owner Questions

  3. •Regulatory Questions

  4. •Bakken Basics

  5. •Royalties and Tax Questions

  6. •Oil and Gas Production

  7. •Roads, Pipelines and Electrical Transmission Questions

Click image (right) to download or view Oil and Gas Frequently Asked Questions

ND drilling permits issued

Go to Permits page »

Crude Talk updated July 3rd