McKenzie County remains top oil producer
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
North Dakota’s oil production saw a slight decline in May 2025, reaching 1.11 million barrels per day, down from 1.17 million barrels per day in April. Despite this dip, output remained above revenue forecasts, driven primarily by Bakken and Three Forks production, according to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).
“May production came in at 34,496,480 barrels or 1.11 million barrels per day while April was at 35,200,579 barrels or at 1.17 million barrels per day,” stated DMR Director Nathan Anderson, during the July Director’s Cut report. This signifies a 5.16 percent decrease from April to May, equating to approximately 60,000 barrels less per day. However, the production still exceeded the state’s revenue forecast for May by 1.16 percent.
The reduction in output was attributed to a few key factors. “April completions were low,” Anderson noted, directly impacting May’s production figures. Furthermore, a “lower oil price environment in the months of April and May” led some operators to “curtail some production in certain areas of the state.” A minor decrease in the rig count also played a part.
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