Wildfires result in lower oil production in North Dakota

  • October 9, 2024

2nd person dies in North Dakota wildfires - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports

 

 

Oil production is expected to take a slight dip in North Dakota because of ongoing wildfires.

Reports by Reuters and the Associated Press indicated that production might be down as much as 90,000 barrels a day.

According to the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, natural gas production is also affected by the wildfires that were ignited by downed power lines.

“Associated wellhead natural gas production today is estimated to be down 0.17-0.26 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd),” Justin Kringstad, the director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, said in an emailed response to the agencies.

Weekend wildfires kill person in North Dakota - Brookings Register

Wildfires erupted Oct. 6 and two persons have died in the fires. Exxon Mobil announced this week it was forced to shut down operations of some oil wells and production sites in the state because of several wildfires.

“Our teams are working with emergency responders to assess the damage in areas where wildfires have passed. We will work with industry partners and the local power co-ops to safely restart wells and sites over the coming days,” Exxon said in a statement, according to Reuters.
North Dakota’s July crude oil output in July totaled 1.161 million barrels a day, making it the nation’s third most oil producing state. It is also the site of hundreds of wells produced and operated by Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources Inc.

 

Jerry Bohnen