Legislation aimed at improving the permitting process in the Bakken will now be in full effect, after being signed by President Barack Obama and passing approval in the US House and Senate.

The Bureau of Land Management Streamlining Act, authored by North Dakota Senators, Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven, will expand the service area of the Miles City, Montana office to process oil and gas production permits in western North Dakota.

The Impact on Permitting in the Bakken

It currently takes anywhere between 6 - 9 months to receive a permit on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands; however, on private lands it takes on average only 10 days. As of December 2013, 525 permits were awaiting approval on BLM lands. With the new legislation, anticipated efficiency and economic benefits are expected for both operators in the area and the State of North Dakota.

Read more at Heitkamp.senate.gov