North Dakota Oil Production Exceeds Forecast in November

State reports higher-than-expected oil output despite slight drop in natural gas production

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:55pm

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The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources announced that oil production in the state exceeded revenue forecast expectations in November, reaching 35.67 million total barrels or 1.18 million barrels per day. This was higher than the projected 1.15 million barrels per day. However, natural gas production did see a slight month-over-month decline from 110.4 billion cubic feet to 106.1 billion cubic feet.

Why it matters

North Dakota is a major oil and gas producing state, so fluctuations in production levels can have significant economic impacts on the state's revenue and budget. Higher-than-expected oil output could mean additional tax revenue for the state, while lower natural gas production may impact energy supplies and costs.

The details

According to the Department of Mineral Resources, North Dakota's total oil production in November was around 35.67 million barrels, or 1.18 million barrels per day. This exceeded the state's revenue forecasts, which had projected daily oil production of 1.15 million barrels. However, natural gas production did decline slightly from 110.4 billion cubic feet in the prior month to 106.1 billion cubic feet in November.

  • The Department of Mineral Resources typically releases production data two months later to gather accurate information.

The players

North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources

The state agency responsible for overseeing and regulating North Dakota's oil and gas industry.

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The takeaway

North Dakota's oil industry continues to be a major economic driver for the state, with production levels fluctuating based on market conditions and other factors. The higher-than-expected oil output in November could provide a boost to the state's revenue, though the decline in natural gas production is a reminder of the volatility in the energy sector.