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Published April 12, 2012, 04:22 PM

Infrastructure could limit Bakken drilling

Oil and gas industry executives say infrastructure challenges in western North Dakota could limit the number of drilling rigs in the Bakken system's rich Williston Basin.

DENVER (AP) — Oil and gas industry executives say infrastructure challenges in western North Dakota could limit the number of drilling rigs in the Bakken system's rich Williston Basin.

As companies have flocked to tap resources there, heavy equipment has overwhelmed roads while workers have filled up available housing.

There are close to 220 drilling rigs in the Williston Basin today. Mark Williams of Whiting Petroleum Corp. says that could easily be doubled based on resources alone, but he guesses growth could be capped at 300 rigs in the next few years until infrastructure can catch up.

Frontier Energy Group CEO Dan Eberhart says North Dakota has been responsive in devoting money to improve roads.

Eberhart and Williams spoke Thursday at the Platts Rockies Oil and Gas Conference in Denver.

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