ND February Production Steady; Equinor Bets $1.8B on Drilling
State data shows modest output gains as a major international operator commits billions to secure future drilling services, underscoring global demand for efficient operations.
North Dakota's oil and gas production held steady in February, according to the latest monthly report from the state's Department of Mineral Resources. The data, released in early May, shows the state produced 1.129 million barrels of oil per day, a slight increase from January's 1.125 million barrels per day. Natural gas output also rose modestly to 3.392 billion cubic feet per day from 3.323 Bcf/d.
The report, cited by the Minot Daily News, indicates the vast majority of production—96.2%—continues to come from the Bakken and Three Forks formations. The state's rig count was 26 as of April 21, up by one from March. McKenzie County remains the top-producing county, accounting for 32% of the state's output.
Operational metrics showed a mixed picture. The number of producing wells reached a new high, increasing by 171 month-over-month to a record 19,625 wells, surpassing the previous peak from October 2025. However, the pace of new permits and well completions slowed. The state issued 60 permits in both February and March, down from 73 in January. Well completions also trended down, with 55 in March, 60 in February, and 63 in January.
On the regulatory and environmental front, the data contained positive news for gas capture efforts. The statewide volume of flared gas decreased by 21.1 million cubic feet per day to 136.5 MMcf/d from January to February. The statewide gas capture rate improved to 95.8%, while the capture rate specifically for Bakken gas reached 96%.
The top producers in North Dakota for 2026, according to the report, are led by Chord Energy (18.5%), Continental Resources (15.2%), and ConocoPhillips (13.3%). On the Fort Berthold Reservation, production increased 2.9% in February to 146,829 barrels per day, with one rig active.
In a separate development highlighting the global industry's focus on maintaining production, Norwegian energy major Equinor announced on Monday, May 4, the extension of $1.8 billion in drilling and well services contracts. According to OilPrice.com, the company exercised options with suppliers including Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and SLB to secure integrated drilling and well services.
Equinor's move signals a long-term commitment to drilling efficiency. Rune Nedregaard, Equinor’s senior vice president for Wells, stated that new wells are expected to account for about 70% of the company's production by 2035. The company plans to drill 20 to 30 exploration wells annually, with 80% of that activity near existing infrastructure.
While this contract is for operations offshore Norway, the scale of the investment and the stated focus on delivering wells "faster and significantly more cost-efficiently" reflects a broader industry imperative. For Bakken operators, it underscores the continuous global drive for operational excellence and reliable service partnerships to sustain output.
Source
Data from Minot Daily News reporting on North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources February production report; OilPrice.com reporting on Equinor contract announcements.
