Eloise Ogden/MDN North Dakota oil production numbers declined slightly from a record set in October 2019 to November 2019.

BISMARCK – North Dakota’s latest oil production numbers show the state produced more than 1.51 million barrels of oil a day in November 2019, down more than 2,500 barrels a day from an October 2019 record set

Natural gas production also declined from October to November. The state produced 94 billion cubic feet of natural gas in November and 95 billion cubic feet of natural gas in October.

The new numbers were released on Friday by Lynn Helms, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

Oil and gas production numbers are about two months behind.

On Friday, 55 rigs were actively drilling in the North Dakota oil patch, according to Helms.

The Fort Berthold Reservation produced 372,429 barrels of oil from 2,341 active wells. Fourteen rigs were actively drilling on the reservation. Ninety wells on the reservation were waiting on completion and 398 permits were approved. The reservation has a potential of 4,211 wells, according to Helms.

Helms said lower crude oil price, gas capture, workforce and competition with the out-of-state Permian and Anadarko shale oil plays for capital continuing to limit drilling rig count in North Dakota.

Drilling permit activity has also slowed down due to the winter weather, Helms said. He said operators continue to maintain a permit inventory that will accommodate varying oil prices for the next 12 months.