Steady Drilling, Falling Output: North Dakota's Crude Outlook

North Dakota's crude output is expected to remain steady this year, according to state regulators.

The third-largest oil-producing U.S. state will likely hold its drilling rig count at current operational levels of 26 for the year, said Nathan Anderson, director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

Oil production in North Dakota fell by 76,000 barrels per day to 1.12 million bpd in December, and output is estimated to have dropped 80,000 bpd to 110,000 bpd for several days in January due to a winter storm that forced operators to shut in production.

The Supreme Court's decision on Friday to strike down President Trump's emergency tariffs will not boost North Dakota's oil output in the short term, Anderson said. Output growth would depend on capital costs, expenses, and oil prices, he added.