North Dakota's April oil output sinks 15% on month to 1.2 million b/d

Washington — North Dakota oil production averaged 1.219 million b/d in April, down about 211,000 b/d or 15% from March, the North Dakota Pipeline Authority said June 12.

The state lost another two drilling rigs since last month, bringing the current count to just 10 -- down from 52 in March.

Low oil prices and weak demand related to the coronavirus pandemic have hammered operators in North Dakota, where oil output set a record high of 1.52 million b/d in November.

The state's natural gas output averaged 2.7 Bcf/d in April, down 0.4 Bcf/d or 13% from March, the authority said.

The authority estimates about 12% of the state's natural gas was flared in April, including 7% flared due to challenges or constraints on existing gathering systems and 5% flared from wells with zero sales.

Lynn Helms, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, will give more details on the state's production outlook during a briefing later June 12.