What is the Bakken Shale Play
The Bakken Shale Play is located in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, as well as parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Williston Basin. Oil was initially discovered in the Bakken play in 1951, but was not commercial on a large scale until the past ten years.
Bakken Download Center
Bakken Shale Play Oil & Gas Operator List
List of 60+ Operators that drill in the Bakken Shale Play
Bakken Shale Play Rig Count Report
List of Operators and Drilling Rigs active in the Bakken Last 30 Days
Bakken Wells Drilled in 2023
List of wells drilled in the Bakken in 2023 includes Operator and Rig
Top 10 Operators in the Bakken Play by Wells Drilled 2023
The list below is a summary of the top 10 Oil & Gas Producers in the Bakken by wells drilled in 2023.
1/ Continental Resources ranks #1 in wells drilled in 2023 with 125 wells drilled in the Bakken
2/ Chevron U.S.A. Inc. ranks #2 in wells drilled in 2023 with 116 wells drilled in the Bakken
3/ Chord Energy ranks #3 in wells drilled in 2023 with 96 wells drilled in the Bakken
4/ Marathon Oil ranks #4 in wells drilled in 2023 with 89 wells drilled in the Bakken
5/ Surge Energy Inc. ranks #5 in wells drilled in 2023 with 66 wells drilled in the Bakken
6/ Conocophillips ranks #6 in wells drilled in 2023 with 62 wells drilled in the Bakken
7/ GRAYSON MILL OPERATING ranks #7 in wells drilled in 2023 with 55 wells drilled in the Bakken
8/ Kraken Resources ranks #7 in wells drilled in 2023 with 50 wells drilled in the Bakken
9/ Slawson Exploration ranks #9 in wells drilled in 2023 with 29 wells drilled in the Bakken
10/ LIBERTY RESOURCES II ranks #10 in wells drilled in 2023 with 26 wells drilled in the Bakken
Bakken Shale Play Wells Drilled by County in 2023
Bakken Overview
The Bakken Formation is a significant oil and gas reservoir located primarily in North Dakota, but it also extends into Montana and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It’s one of the largest continuous oil plays in the United States and Canada. Here are some key points about the Bakken oil and gas:
- Formation Characteristics: The Bakken Formation is a shale formation that was deposited during the Late Devonian to Early Mississippian age, roughly 360 to 330 million years ago. It consists of a lower and upper shale member with a middle layer of sandstone and siltstone.
- Hydrocarbon Resources: The Bakken Formation contains vast amounts of oil and natural gas, primarily trapped within the shale rock. Oil production from the Bakken is mainly focused on the upper shale member, which is a rich source of light, sweet crude oil.
- Technological Advancements: The development of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technologies has revolutionized the extraction of oil and gas from shale formations like the Bakken. Horizontal drilling allows for wells to be drilled horizontally through the shale layer, significantly increasing contact with the reservoir. Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the well at high pressure to create fractures in the shale, releasing the trapped oil and gas.
- Economic Impact: The Bakken oil boom has had a significant economic impact on the region, leading to job creation, population growth, and increased revenue for local governments. It has also contributed to the United States’ overall energy production and reduced dependence on foreign oil.
- Challenges: While the Bakken Formation has been a prolific oil-producing region, it also presents challenges, including environmental concerns related to fracking, infrastructure development to support production activities, and fluctuations in oil prices that can affect the economics of drilling operations.
- Regulatory Environment: The oil and gas industry in the Bakken operates within regulatory frameworks set by state and federal agencies, aimed at ensuring safety, environmental protection, and responsible resource development.
Overall, the Bakken Formation has become a key player in the North American oil and gas industry, and its development continues to shape energy markets and economies in the region.
Oil & Gas Account List by Play
