A winter blizzard sweeping across the northern United States has cut North Dakota's oil output by 200,000 bbl/d to 250,000 bbl/d, or 18% to 22%, state Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad estimated on Dec. 16.
A winter storm pounded the heart of the United States, bringing heavy snow and freezing rain to Northern Plains and Midwestern states. Oil and gas wells suffer freeze-ins when temperatures drop.
Kringstad said in an emailed statement that he anticipates a relatively quick return of oil production over the next several days as visibility improves and roads are cleared, adding that there were some limited, localized power issues.
Major oil and gas processing plants and pipelines have remained operational to the best of his knowledge, he said, adding that most roads remain closed.
North Dakota, the third-largest U.S. oil-producing state after Texas and New Mexico, pumps about 1.1 MMbbl/d of oil. In April, it suffered the loss of about 80% of production temporarily from severe weather.
Bryan Sheffield, founder of energy fund Formentera Partners, which has assets in the state, estimated based on conversations with pipeline operators that production is down about 20%. Output is likely to be restored over the weekend, he added.
The storm will delay drilling and completion activities, said Nathan Nemeth, a senior analyst at consultants Wood Mackenzie.
"We certainly expect a slowdown of rigs and activity for a few days, but that's typical business operations in the Bakken during winter months," said North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness.
Recommended Reading
Enterprise Products Partners Ups Quarterly Distribution
2024-04-05 - Enterprise Products Partners said the distribution represents a 5.1% increase over first quarter 2023.
Plains All American Names Michelle Podavin Midstream Canada President
2024-03-05 - Michelle Podavin, who currently serves as senior vice president of NGL commercial assets for Plains Midstream Canada, will become president of the business unit in June.
Matador Completes NatGas Connections in Delaware Basin
2024-03-25 - Matador Resources completed natural gas pipeline connections between Pronto Midstream to San Mateo Midstream and to Matador’s acreage in the Delaware Basin.
Targa Resources Ups Quarterly Dividend by 50% YoY
2024-04-12 - Targa Resource’s board of directors increased the first-quarter 2024 dividend by 50% compared to the same quarter a year ago.
Pembina Declares Series of Quarterly Dividends
2024-04-10 - Pembina Pipeline Corp’s board of directors declared quarterly dividends for series 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 25.