The Williston Basin | December 2022
Field Overview
The Williston Basin is a large sedimentary basin along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and southern Saskatchewan, Can. The basin is characterized by thick sequences of sediments that underlie an area of about 110,000 square miles, and it is geologically closely related to the Alberta Basin in Canada. The first wells in the Williston were drilled in the 1936, and by 1954, 80% of possible producing acreage had been leased.
State Drilling Statistics
Active Drilling Rigs in Basin – 42 (
+1)
Total Rigs in North Dakota – 39 (+2)
Total Rigs in United States- 771 (
-5)
Total U.S. Rigs 28% YTD
Williston Top Producer
Top Producer – Continental Resources
Basin Highlights
The North Dakota Energy and Economic Coordination Office (EECO), a new department announced recently by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, will serve as a tool whereby North Dakota’s energy experts will collaborate more closely with North Dakota’s energy industry. The EECO will focus on the “strategic development of all energy assets”, along with having an element of stewardship in its commission.
Winter Storm, Sub-Zero Temperatures Hammer North Dakota Oil, Natural Gas Production
A winter storm in the week of December 12 in North Dakota sidelined ~350,000 bbl/d of oil production. The following week saw several days where the daily high temperature was below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, making the restarting of artificial lift systems and midstream infrastructure difficult. North Dakota gas spot prices spiked sharply during this period, which was ascribed to gas exports and the wintry weather.
Zephyr Energy Makes New Acquisitions in Utah and N. Dakota
Zephyr Energy completed the purchase of operated wells in the Paradox Basin in Utah as well as non-operated interest in several Williston Basin wells. The Williston Basin wells are operated by Slawson Exploration and Zephyr Energy will have between 11 and 32% working interest in these wells.
Top Producers
| Rank | Company | September Production (MBO) |
| 1 | Continental Resources | 5,542 |
| 2 | Chord Energy | 4,604 |
| 3 | Hess | 3,238 |
| 4 | Marathon Oil | 2,339 |
| 5 | Exxon | 2,181 |
Rig Count
North Dakota Oil Production
North Dakota Natural Gas
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www.eia.gov
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