Bakken oil production from North Dakota surpassed 600,000 b/d in July of 2012. That's more than the country's number three oil producing state, California, and more than 10% of U.S. supply when you add Montana volumes.
The Montana and North Dakota Bakken surpassed 600,000 b/d sometime in the March-April timeframe and ND has continued to march on to new heights in July and August. The entire play is likely approaching three-quarters of a million barrels of oil per day. New rail facilities are allowing operators to bypass lower prices in Cushing, OK, for the better Gulf Coast market.
Over 2,200 wells have been brought online since the beginning of 2011 and more are expected as more than 200 rigs continue working the region. As discussed in a recent article, North Dakota Oil Production Could Jump to 2 Million Barrels Per Day Bakken production is expected to continue climbing at current oil price expectations.