MDN File Photo North Dakota’s number of producing wells has reached an all-time high.

BISMARCK – North Dakota had an all-time high of 19,625 producing wells in October, according to Nathan Anderson, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

Anderson gave the monthly report of oil and gas production Friday, Dec. 19. The numbers are normally about two months behind.

The total number of producing wells is up 67, month over month, according to his report.

The state produced 1.168 million barrels of oil a day in October. That number is a slight increase from September, when the state produced 1.167 million barrels of oil a day. The October production number is 1.58% above revenue forecast.

According to Anderson’s report, the state produced 3.550 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas a day in October, a 0.86% reduction from September. In September, the state produced 3.581 BCF of natural gas a day.

Currently, 27 rigs are actively working in North Dakota. The all-time high was 218 rigs on May 29, 2018.

According to the report, North Dakota’s market oil price averaged $53.36 a barrel in October, which is 9.6% below revenue forecast. West Texas Intermediate is currently selling for $56.26 a barrel.

Seven frac crews are working in the state, according to the report.

In September, 95 wells were permitted, in October, 84 wells permitted and in November, 75 wells permitted. Fifty-six wells were completed in September, 65 wells were completed in October and 37 wells were completed in November.

Fort Berthold Reservation produced 153,968 barrels of oil a day in October, a 6.4% increase from September, when the reservation produced 144,772 barrels of oil a day.

One rig was working on the reservation. The total number of active permits was 149, a decrease from September, and the reservation has 3,014 active wells.

The state-wide gas capture decreased to 95.2% while Bakken gas capture also decreased to 95.5%.

McKenzie, Williams, Dunn, Mountrail and Divide counties remain the top five oil production counties in the state with 96.7% of the state’s production, according to the report. McKenzie County produces 32% of North Dakota’s production, a 1% increase from last month’s report.

North Dakota ranks No. 3 in crude production in the U.S. The top 10 states for crude production are Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado, Oklahoma, Alaska, California, Wyoming, Utah and Louisiana. Total U.S. production reached a record high in September at 13.8 million barrels a day, according to the report.