[spokeshave]

That is what I am referring to. I may be wrong, but I believe the amount of new wells being drilled has slowed down recently.

Because the technology has improved considerably in the last 2 years...

1.....Better control and results from directional drilling...

2....with each well drilled, the understanding of the geology improves

and the bonus point:

3....with new knowledge obtained in 1 and 2 above,....older wells are also more productive.

So you get more oil from less wells than a few years ago.

[thackney]

I don’t agree the number of new wells and particularly drilled well footage is significantly decreasing in North Dakota.

You might want to look at the latest state report tracking activity.

https://www.dmr.nd.gov/oilgas/presentations/NDOGCPC091013.pdf