North Dakota Oil And Gas Production Drops 6% In December

State officials cite subzero temps and low prices as factors behind the decline.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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North Dakota's oil and gas production fell to around 1.12 million barrels per day in December 2025, the lowest monthly total for the year, according to the state's Department of Mineral Resources. Officials attributed the 6% drop to subzero temperatures and low oil prices, and said it could take a couple of months for the Bakken region to rebound.

Why it matters

North Dakota's oil and gas industry is a major economic driver for the state, so fluctuations in production can have significant impacts on the local economy. The December decline highlights the industry's sensitivity to weather and global market conditions.

The details

The Department of Mineral Resources reported that North Dakota produced around 1.12 million barrels of oil and gas per day in December 2025, down 6% from the previous month. Department Director Nathan Anderson said the drop was due to subzero temperatures and low oil prices, factors that can disrupt production in the Bakken region.

  • North Dakota's oil and gas production fell to around 1.12 million barrels per day in December 2025.
  • This was the lowest monthly total for the state in the 2025 calendar year.

The players

Nathan Anderson

Director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

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What they’re saying

“The drop was because of subzero temperatures and low oil prices. He adds that it could be a couple of months before the Bakken sees a rebound.”

— Nathan Anderson, Director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (dakotanewsnetwork.com)

What’s next

The Department of Mineral Resources will continue to monitor production levels in the Bakken region and provide updates on the industry's recovery.

The takeaway

North Dakota's oil and gas industry remains vulnerable to weather and global market conditions, underscoring the need for the state to diversify its economy and explore renewable energy alternatives.