New Members – Thanks to the new Petroleum Council member Sagebrush Resources and supporting member Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.

Production Nearing All-Time High – North Dakota produced 143,700 barrels of oil per day in the month of March, bringing us closer to the all-time high of 148,000 barrels of oil per day set in February, 1984. 

2007 Economic Impact Study – The Economic Impact Study is an integral part of promoting the positive impact the oil and gas industry has on North Dakota.  We URGE operators to return their surveys to North Dakota State University so that we may update the economic impacts of the oil and gas industry for 2007.  The information you provide in the survey is important in helping North Dakota realize how valuable the oil and gas industry is to our state.  If you need of a new form, please feel free to contact the Petroleum Council at (701) 223-6380 or at .

2008 Teacher Seminar Fills Up – The 2008 Teacher Seminar, which is being held June 9-12 in Bismarck, is currently full with a waiting list.  This year’s seminar, which is two credits and an extra day long, is focused on providing valuable information for teachers trying to connect what they teach students in the classroom to available career opportunities in our industry.  Teachers also receive a better understanding of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota.   For more information on the Teacher Seminar, see www.ndoil.org/content/view/92/99/.

Petroleum Council Scholarship Winners Announced – Roy Neset Jr. and Michael Totenhagen are the first recipients of the Petroleum Council Scholarship Fund.  This scholarship was designed as part of an effort to develop future workforce as well as show that the oil and gas industry is interested in supporting students with an interest in the oil and gas industry.  The winners can be viewed at http://www.ndoil.org/content/view/99/2/.

Roy Neset Jr., sophomore geology major at Minot State University, is returning from Iraq with the 164th Engineer Battalion out of Minot, North Dakota.  Neset has extensive experience working in the oil and gas industry as a rig hand, welder, relief consultant, and a mudlogger. 

Michael Totenhagen is a senior geology major at North Dakota State University.  Totenhagen has previously interned as a mine geologist with Hibbing Taconite Company and is interning this summer as a field engineer with Baker Hughes-Inteq, an oil field service company.

Pipeline Route Finds Resistance – The Keystone Pipeline, which is to be constructed to bring Alberta crude oil through North Dakota to U.S. refineries, continues to find opposition in North Dakota as to the route of the pipeline.  The Dakota Resource Council, and six landowners, has gone to court trying to force a second look at the proposed route.

Ban on New Pipelines –Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved a petition for circulation Friday, May 9 that could lead to a vote on a new measure in November.  The measure, which excludes North Dakota crude oil, would ban construction of any new crude oil pipeline within six miles of a lake or aquifer that provides water to more than 5,000 people.  Measure supporters have until August 5 to gather 12,844 signatures from North Dakota voters for this measure to be on the November ballot.  Keep in mind getting the necessary signatures in a three-month time period will be quite a task.

Williston Basin Petroleum Conference & Expo – The 16th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference & Expo set a record attendance with 1,370 registrants, doubling the previous record set in 1997, which had 680 registrants.  It was great to see individuals from 27 different states, as well as four different countries, with an interest in learning about increasing oil activity in the Williston Basin.  The Petroleum Council, Department of Mineral Resources, and Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources would like to thank all the sponsors and individuals who took part in making this year’s Conference a huge success.  PowerPoint presentations for the Conference are available at http://www.ndoil.org/content/view/100/102/.

Bakken Rocks T-Shirts Available – “Bakken Rocks” T-Shirts are now available to purchase.  Prices and shipping and handling are dependent on quantity ordered.  The Petroleum Council will be taking orders until May 31, 2008.  To place an order, or to find more information on pricing, check out http://www.ndoil.org/.

ND Oil PAC Seeking Contributions – Established in 1981, the North Dakota Oil PAC aids political candidates in North Dakota who support the oil and gas industry and work to promote good government and maintain a positive business climate for the industry in North Dakota.  In North Dakota, only contributions of $200 or more are reportable.  Sorry, but corporate contributions are not allowed.  For a donation application, or more information, see http://www.ndoil.org/images/stories/PDFs/oilpac.pdf.

Bakken Resource Assessment Now Available – The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) announced its release of the Bakken Resource Assessment during April’s Williston Basin Petroleum Conference & Expo.  The DMR has estimated that our current technology will allow for two billion barrels of recoverable oil in North Dakota.  A detailed version of this report is available upon request from the DMR for a small fee.  If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Bakken Resource Assessment, visit https://www.dmr.nd.gov/ndgs/, or call Donna at (701) 328-8000.   

Oil & Gas Research Council Grant Deadline is June 1 – The Research Council has funds and is seeking projects to enhance the exploration and production of oil and gas in North Dakota.  For information on how to submit grant proposals, go to http://www.nd.gov/ndic/ogrp-infopage.htm.

Behind the Scenes Look at NDoiljobs.com – Dakota Lifestyles recently interviewed John Hegre to find out more information on his work in developing NDoiljobs.com.  This web site is a user-friendly job posting site that offers area information, as well as some of the key job opportunities available in western North Dakota.  The article is available at http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/19/jon-hegres-nd-oil-jobs-site-connects-people-to-north-dakota-life.

Petroleum Council Annual Meeting – The Petroleum Council Annual Meeting will be held September 16–18, 2008 in Bismarck at the Radisson Inn.  We are interested in your ideas for presenters, entertainment, or ways to make this annual event a valuable experience for our members.  The golf tournament will be held September 17, 2008.

Petroleum Council Hall of Fame – The Petroleum Council is seeking applicants for the Petroleum Council Hall of Fame.  The five Hall of Fame members will meet this summer to select the next inductee. 

Eligible candidates must have worked at least 25 years in the oil and gas industry with the majority of that time being spent in the Williston Basin.  They must have contributed significantly to the functions and activities of associations representing the oil and gas industry in North Dakota, as well as supported the promotion and development of the industry through hard work on behalf of the membership, commitment to well-being of the industry, and participation in association activities.  To view current Hall of Fame members, go to http://www.ndoil.org/content/view/22/50/.