BISMARCK – North Dakota produced a new all-time high of 3,302,779 million cubic feet (MCF) of natural gas in August, according to a new report released by the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources on Thursday.

The month before the state produced 3,292,150 MCF of natural gas.

Production numbers are normally about two months behind.

A new all-time high of 18,380 (preliminary number) producing wells was reached in August. In July, the state had 18,185 producing wells.

The state also produced 1,219,345 barrels of oil a day in August, a number also higher than in July when the state produced 1,180,692 barrels of oil a day.

The price of North Dakota light sweet crude on Thursday was $77.60 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was $83.49 a barrel.

On Thursday, 38 rigs were actively working in the state.

In August, 376 wells were waiting on completion.

Fort Berthold Reservation produced 133,683 barrels of oil a day in August. Three rigs were actively drilling on the reservation and the active well count was 2,658. Twelve wells were waiting on completion and 158 drilling permits were approved.

Lynn Helms, director of the Mineral Resources Department, said the drilling rig count remains low due to workforce, mergers and acquisitions but is expected to return to the mid-40s with a gradual increase expected over the next two years.

He said 14 frac crews are currently active in the state.

“Saudi Arabia announced unilateral oil production cuts amounting to 1 million barrels per day, making the OPEC+ total cut 4.7 barrels per day until the end of the year. Middle East conflict, Russian sanctions, China economic activity, potential recessions and shifting crude oil supply chains continue to create significant price volatility,” Helms said.