American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2024 - 59

SpecialReport: Williston Basin Activity
barrels of Bakken oil production with a
hosted bar and barbecue sponsored by
Halliburton. Don't forget to grab a free
commemorative gift on the way out.
The fun and networking continues on
Wednesday, May 15, with another hosted
evening social at the trade show, followed
by the North Dakota Oil PAC social at the
Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center.
Opportunities to engage, connect, network
and enjoy that Bakken hospitality
extend well beyond the WBPC's social
events. With more than 300 indoor and
outdoor exhibits and booths, attendees are
bound to see something new, learn and
meet people who can help enhance their
careers and businesses. You may come for
the socials or come for the networking,
but whatever your reason, come to the
WBPC Trade Show. You will not regret it.
Bakken To The Future
The industry is continuing its strong investment
in North Dakota's Bakken play.
We have a stable rig count and the number
of producing wells continues to climb. According
to the North Dakota Department
of Mineral Resources, in October 2023,
our state recorded an all-time high of 18,619
wells that combined to produce an average
of 1.245 million barrels of oil a day.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates
that up to 3.3 billion barrels of undiscovered,
technically recoverable oil still
await in the Bakken formation. Industry
experts are even more optimistic and
estimate the recoverable oil left in the
Bakken at closer to 10 billion-15 billion
barrels of oil.
" From humble beginnings, the Bakken
has grown into a major force in our
nation's drive to be energy independent, "
reflects Director Helms. " We owe this
revolution to innovation and the development
of new technologies in the Williston
Basin that have unlocked the Bakken and
even larger shale oil and shale gas reserves
across our nation and around the world. "
New technologies are opening the door
for our state to continue taking advantage
of this great natural resource to the benefit
of North Dakota and the nation. The key
to long-term, environmentally sound and
efficient production in the Bakken lies
with new and evolving technologies.
For instance, enhanced oil recovery
techniques are critical to our future success.
Injecting CO2 into declining wells can
allow EOR to substantially extend well
lives and recovery volumes.
Then there are the improvements in
horizontal and directional drilling technology
that enable each well to produce
oil from a much larger area. By doing so,
innovative operators are reducing the number
of wells necessary to develop the
Bakken's tremendous oil resource while
taking even better care of wildlife and
further protecting the area's natural beauty.
WBPC provides attendees a chance
to see, hear and experience the Bakken's
future first hand. It is also worth noting
how the University of North Dakota's
Energy & Environmental Research Center
has developed the Bakken Production
Optimization Program. The initiative
demonstrates how state lawmakers, regulators,
landowners and the industry can
collaborate for the benefit of mineral
owners, shareholders and taxpayers.
Those with an engineering background
will want to focus on the two sessions on
Wednesday, May 15. " Advancing Bakken
Technology " and the " Williston Basin:
Technology and Opportunity " will showcase
how companies can increase production
in the Bakken.
Our industry's commitment to the region
is strong and the opportunities are
limitless. Get a head start on the future
of oil and natural gas in America at the
Williston Basin Petroleum Conference.
Ask anyone who has been to the
WBPC and they will tell you not to
miss it. Not only is it the largest conference
in North Dakota, but the city of
Bismarck rolls out the red carpet for the
energy industry. You will find loads of
great restaurants, hospitality and fun
things to see and do.
More importantly, the WBPC is the
place for oil and natural gas professionals
to be. You will learn, grow and experience
the state of our industry and what the
future holds. From exciting new technologies
to addressing the challenges that face
our industry, it will all be on display at the
Williston Basin Petroleum Conference.
Come join us May 14-16, 2024 at the Bismarck
Event Center. To learn more and to
register, visit www.wbpcnd.com. r
REVA
KAUTZ
Reva Kautz is communications director for the North Dakota Petroleum Council, where she
has worked since November 2022. She oversees internal communication with NDPC members
and external communication that conveys the benefits the oil and natural gas industry provides
all North Dakota citizens. Kautz holds a BBA from North Dakota State University and an MBA
from the University of North Dakota.
APRIL 2024 59

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American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2024

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