McKenzie County Leads North Dakota to Record Oil Production in July

The state of North Dakota's oil production reached a new milestone in July 2026, with McKenzie County solidifying its position as the premier energy powerhouse. The county generated 12,053,845 barrels of oil and 51,611,099 MCF of natural gas, accounting for roughly one-third (33.6 percent) of the state's total crude output and nearly half (46.0 percent) of its record-setting natural gas production.

According to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources' Director's Cut briefing, statewide oil production averaged 1,156,640 barrels per day, a modest increase of 0.16 percent from June. The Bakken and Three Forks formations remain the engine of the state's output, accounting for 97.6 percent of total production.

Natural gas production surged to a new record-setting monthly benchmark of 112.2 billion cubic feet in July, up 1.12 percent from June. Gunther Harms, Underground Injection Control (UIC) and Treating Plant Manager for the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, noted that daily volumes reached historic heights, pushing gas-to-oil ratios back up to record levels across the Williston Basin.

McKenzie County continues its reign as the premier oil-producing powerhouse in the state, generating approximately 34 percent of North Dakota's total crude volume. Williams, Dunn, Mountrail, and Divide counties rounded out the top five, which collectively account for 96 percent of the state's total production.

Nationally, North Dakota held its ground as the third-largest oil-producing state, trailing only Texas and New Mexico. Strong wellhead pricing and steady operator activity point to continued high-level output across McKenzie County and the broader Bakken patch through the remainder of the year, barring unexpected global demand shocks.