April oil and gas production sees slight uptick

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - North Dakota’s oil and gas production saw a small increase during April.

Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said the state produced 1.24 million barrels of oil a day, which was a one percent increase compared to March. North Dakota also saw 3.49 billion cubic feet of gas a day, a three percent increase over that same period. Helms said he expects to see a stronger uptick next month.

“In April, we were still working our way out of winter, so May we should see healthier, stronger numbers. That’s what the daily gas nominations are indicating to us,” said Helms.

There are 38 active drilling rigs as of Friday. Helms said companies are improving the time it takes to drill two-mile laterals into the ground.

“That means they have gone from eight or nine days to seven or eight days... That cycle time continues to accelerate. The rigs are bigger, stronger and faster. We’re going to have to step up in order to keep up with that,” said Helms.

This was Helms’ last Director’s Cut report, as he is set to retire at the end of the month. He said this is the 138th report he’s done with reporters. The concept came up during the peak of the oil boom to best communicate progress with media outlets.