Three-Forks Formation Could Be Big Oil Boost

Samantha Mehrotra | 7/27/2009
The oil industry in North Dakota has been faring better than most other oil hotspots around the country. And soon there may be more good news to report. The latest production results from the Three-Forks Sanish Formation are in, and it looks like there could be potential for more drilling in the future. Monte Besler, a Senior Associate Engineer with Hohn Engineering, says that the Three-Forks could bring plenty of lucrative opportunities to our area.

"Adding the Three Forks to the Bakken would virtually double the number of wells that could be drilled," says Besler. "The number of service company opportunities. For every well that`s currently in the Bakken, there could very easily be a twin or another lateral drill in the Three Forks, which would mean doubling the amount of tax revenues, jobs--just to try and keep up with the work load."

Besler says that he`s even been fielding questions from service companies outside the state who have taken an interest in these new findings. He says that the state will continue to drill wells so that a better understanding can be gained of the Three Fork`s potential oil yield.

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