There has been much talk about the Bakken’s decrease in production over the last couple of years, and just as much talk about the recent upward trends. Now, oil company executives are telling North Dakotan legislators that the Bakken is on the upswing, and there’s still more work to be done and more wells to be drilled.
According to Brent Lohnes, the director of Hess operations in the state, the Bakken could grow to produce 175,000 barrels a day in a couple of years, a sizeable increase over the current production of 105,000 barrels per day, as per The Bismarck Tribune.
More drilling, more jobs?
Hess is reportedly looking to add more than 100 new wells next year, what would amount to a 10 percent increase in production. Mr. Lohnes praised the Bakken for its efficiencies, which include shorter drilling cycle times and good initial well production.
The hope is that with the increase in production, more workers can catch on and perform seasonal, or in some cases permanent, work.
Still, a risk
Of course, the increased opportunity for work in the oilfields also means a greater risk of injury for workers. Though much of the oil transportation is no longer handled by trucks, there are still risk factors for those involved in oil transport and related fields.
Studies consistently rank oilfield work as among the most dangerous in the U.S., and while injuries may not be frequent, they are frequently severe. Many temporary or seasonal workers worry about how their job will help them recover from such injuries. In these instances, an attorney can assist.
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