North Dakota enhancing oil, gas industry oversight
North Dakota enhancing oil, gas industry oversight
With additional staffing requested by Gov. Jack Dalrymple and authorized by the 2011 Legislature, North Dakota will become one of the nation’s top 10 states in regulatory oversight of its oil and gas industry within six months. The state is on pace to become the nation’s most effective regulator in terms of frequency of field inspections within a year, said Lynn Helms, director of North Dakota’s Department of Mineral Resources.
By July 1, 2012, North Dakota will enhance oversight of its oil and gas industry to implement best in class regulatory practices as outlined by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission Council of State Regulatory Officials. Department of Mineral Resources staff will have the capability to provide best in class regulatory practices for oversight of 200 drilling rigs and regular inspections of oil producing wells, idle wells and salt water injection wells, Helms told members of the Industrial Commission on Wednesday.
