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Additional Road Investments Needed to Support Oil and Gas Production and Distribution in North Dakota
The purpose of this study is to forecast road investment needs in oil and gas producing counties of North Dakota over the next 20 years in light of the expected growth. The objective is to quantify the additional investments necessary for efficient year-round transportation of oil while providing travelers with acceptable roadway service. The focus is on roads owned or maintained by local governments—e.g., counties and townships.
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Oil production in North Dakota has more than doubled during the last 10 years. According to the Oil and Gas Division of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, approximately 3,300 wells were producing oil in the state prior to 2005. As of November 2010, that number had risen to 5,200. In addition, the number of producing wells is expected to increase substantially in the future.