BISMARCK, N.D. (KUMV) – The Department of Mineral Resources warns several severe wildfires across northwest North Dakota will cause a temporary downturn in oil and gas production this month.
Director Nathan Anderson said they asked producers to voluntarily shut in their wells as a way to limit the size of the fire. He said producers have been responsive and are being proactive to prevent any future fires.
“We have estimates of three to four hundred wells that were shut in still after the worst part of the fire had concluded. I think the other day we had some estimates that there’s still 100 to 150 that were shut in that had more significant damage,” said Anderson.
Anderson explained that damage ranged from actual infrastructure loss to power outages due to downed power lines.
Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad said he estimates a loss of about 500,000 barrels over this event.
October’s numbers will be finalized in December.
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