North Dakota Celebrates 75 Years of Oil Discovery

The state's oil and gas industry has transformed the economy and demographics over the past decades.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:52am

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A minimalist abstract illustration using geometric shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the growth and economic impact of North Dakota's oil and gas industry over the past 75 years.North Dakota's oil and gas industry has fueled decades of economic transformation across the state.Mandan Today

North Dakota is marking the 75th anniversary of the discovery of oil in the state. The first core samples were taken in 1938, and by 1951, one in 10 wells were finding oil, with one in three being commercially viable. The oil and gas industry has since dramatically changed the state's economy and demographics, with increased capital investment, infrastructure, and rapid production growth.

Why it matters

The discovery of oil in North Dakota has had a profound impact on the state's economy and communities. It has brought significant economic growth, job opportunities, and infrastructure development, transforming rural areas that were previously struggling. However, the rapid expansion of the industry has also raised concerns about environmental impact and the sustainability of the state's reliance on fossil fuels.

The details

According to former North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms, in 1951, one in 10 wells in the state found oil, with one in three being commercially viable. This was a dramatic shift from the earlier days when the risk of a dry well was as high as 90%. The increased viability of oil production has led to a surge in capital investment, infrastructure, and the ability to plan for decades of production. Helms noted that in 1951, it took 18 months to produce one million barrels of oil, whereas now it takes just 20 hours.

  • The United States Geological Survey first sent a team to North Dakota in 1912 to survey the land, finding marine fossils in the mouths of the Cannon Ball and White Earth rivers.
  • The first core samples were taken in 1938.
  • In 1951, one in 10 wells in North Dakota found oil, with one in three being commercially viable.
  • Amoco built a refinery in Mandan, North Dakota in 1954.
  • North Dakota is celebrating the 75th anniversary of oil being discovered in the state in 2026.

The players

Lynn Helms

Former Director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

Ron Ness

President and CEO of the North Dakota Petroleum Council.

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What they’re saying

“The risk has gone from 90 percent of the wells were dried to one percent. It's completely changed the face of the oil and gas industry in terms of capital investment and infrastructure and how you can plan for decades of production.”

— Lynn Helms, Former Director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources

“It's building schools rather than closing schools in rural communities. It's having grocery stores and gas stations being built. Those of us from small towns, we understand how towns die and kids leave. We've flipped the age of North Dakotans from being one of the oldest states to the youngest states.”

— Ron Ness, President and CEO of the North Dakota Petroleum Council

What’s next

North Dakota will continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of oil discovery throughout 2026, with events and initiatives highlighting the industry's impact on the state's economy and communities.

The takeaway

The discovery of oil in North Dakota has been a transformative event for the state, driving economic growth, infrastructure development, and demographic shifts. While the industry has brought significant benefits, it also raises concerns about environmental sustainability that will need to be carefully managed going forward.