The share of associated natural gas produced with each barrel of oil in North Dakota reached a record high for the third consecutive month in August, according to state regulators. The gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) averaged 2.99 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of oil produced during the month, a significant increase from previous years. This surge in GORs is attributed to operators drilling in gassier second and third tier areas after depleting the state’s oilier top tier acreage.
North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad highlighted this trend during a recent press briefing, noting that GORs in the state have nearly doubled since 2016. As a result, the production of natural gas associated with oil extraction has become more significant in North Dakota’s energy landscape.
This shift in production patterns reflects the changing composition of the state’s oil fields and the strategies employed by operators to maximize resource extraction. With a continued focus on drilling in gassier areas, GORs are expected to remain high in the coming months.
The rise in GORs underscores the evolving dynamics of the energy industry in North Dakota and the impacts on both oil and natural gas markets. As operators adapt to changing geological conditions, the balance between oil and gas production in the state is likely to continue shifting, influencing overall energy production and consumption trends.
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