A milestone in North Dakota’s oil production.
"In April, we made the milestone of a million barrels a day," said State Mineral Resources director Lynn Helms at his monthly "Director's Cut" briefing.
Helms says North Dakota becomes one of four states to ever exceed the million-barrel-a-day mark. North Dakota is number two in the production of oil, behind number one Texas.
"You couple that with the strong crude oil prices that we're seeing, probably because of some unrest in the Middle East and in Ukraine, we're looking at $91.75 for North Dakota sweet crude," said Helms. "So the tax collections from oil and gas exceed $10 million a day."
Helms says natural gas flaring did not drop as much as he expected in April.
Helms says flaring was down to 30 percent. But he had hoped to see that number down into the lower 20 percent range.
"The Tioga gas plant didn't really hit full capacity until almost the end of April," said Helms. "During April, the plant was gradually bringing on capacity. Finally, by the first of May, they hit 100 percent of capacity."
Helms says he expects the May report – to be issued next month – will show a significant reduction in flaring. He also says new rules that took effect in June – to require new drilling permits to have gas capture plans – will also help.
