McKenzie County sees drilling growth amid housing challenges
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
McKenzie County, the heart of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry, is experiencing significant growth and technological advancements in oil drilling, but nagging struggles persist with workforce and housing shortages, according to County Commissioner Joel Brown.
In a recent interview, with Scott Hennen on AM 1090 The Flag, Brown highlighted the county’s economic vitality, driven by innovations like four-mile laterals in oil drilling, while addressing persistent challenges in housing affordability and availability that impact the region’s ability to attract and retain workers.
Brown emphasized the transformative impact of advancements in oil drilling, particularly the shift to longer laterals. “It was a big deal when we saw the proliferation of three-mile laterals about two or three years ago. And it took us nearly 10 or 15 to 20 years to move from two-mile laterals to three-mile laterals. And here within a couple of years, we’re moving potentially to four-mile laterals,” Brown said. He noted that at least four companies are currently drilling their first four-mile laterals, with early results showing promise. “From what I’ve seen from some drillers, they’re very happy with their early results,” he added.
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