North Dakota's gas flaring challenge lingers on
Nearly a decade into its hydrocarbons boom, North Dakota, the US’ second-largest oil producing state, still struggles to limit natural gas flaring
Oil production continues to surge in North Dakota. The state's gas infrastructure capacity has always lagged output increases, despite a programme to control gas flaring put in place in 2014. North Dakota's challenge has been that most of its produced gas is associated gas, dependent on oil production volumes. The state's oil output, dominated by the prolific Bakken play, has skyrocketed this decade, to 1.27m barrels a day this July from an average 308,000 b/d in 2010, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Gas output has more than kept pace, with gross production sextupling to 688.9bn cubic feet in 2017 from 114bn cf in 2010. North Dakota's difficulties with gas reflec
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
