According to this Reuters article, Continental Resources plans to increase its 2021 capital expenditures from between $1.2-1.3 billion to $1.4 billion.

According to this Natural Gas Intelligence article Hess Corp has a goal to increase the number of rigs in the Bakken to four by the end of this year. That would allow Hess's Bakken production to be held even at 200,000 barrels/day for the next decade.

Oasis, according to this Shale Experts article, plans to complete 29-33 Bakken wells this year and increase its capital expenditures by 13%.

According to this Williston Herald article, ConocoPhillips is looking to keep its capital expenditures for 2021 at $5.5 billion as well as resume its share repurchase program thanks to an uptick in oil prices.

According to this Natural Gas Intelligence article Crestwood's CEO Bob Phillips says “The Bakken play remains extremely economic and as we look into 2021, in a $55-60/bbl crude price environment, we anticipate a lot more activity in 2021.”

Whiting, according to this Shale Experts article, has plans for capital expenditures of $228-$252 million which represents a 7% decrease from 2020 expenditures.

Enerplus believes it has approximately a decade of drilling left in the Bakken and sees its breakeven at WTI $38/barrel, according to this Seeking Alpha article.

According to this Results-Earnings call transcript of 2020Q4, Marathon Oil Corp expects 90% of its capital to be focused on the Bakken and Eagle Ford regions which is considered to be the most "capital-efficient" basins. They expect at least 10 more years of drilling for the Bakken region given the capital-efficient, high-return nature.

The March Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:

Sanford Health has announced a plan with the City of Williston that will allow for a new clinic and hospital to be built for the region. The plan is for it to be located in the Williston Square which is 800 acres that was recently vacated with the moving of the Williston airport to a location outside city limits.

The story of the last lynching in North Dakota is being turned into a movie, and is planned on being filmed entirely in McKenzie County this summer! The End of the Rope is based on the story true story of the infamous Charles Bannon case of 1931 in McKenzie County.

Auditions will be held for supporting roles on Saturday, March 26 from 2-6pm at Teddy's Residential Suites in Watford City. Check the link above for roles needing to be filled. There will also be auditions in Bismarck the next day, virtually, and potentially other locations.

The Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation will be opening a new Interpretive Center this spring. The MHA Interpretive Center will be used to share the MHA Nation’s story to members and visitors alike. The site will include expansive exhibits, a 500 seat outdoor amphitheater, a 250 seat event room, cultural educational classroom, coffee shop, gift shop and more. Save the date, May 19, for the grand opening of this cultural attraction!

We will soon be learning of the entertainment. For now, the call for Ribfest sponsors and teams is open. There is only space for 25 teams. Visit the Best of the West Ribfest website for information.

The nearly 200 mile Maah Daah Hey Trail system is listed in the Midwest Living magazine's Best of the Midwest 2021 Wellness category. The trailhead is near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, just 15 miles south of Watford City. Hikers, bikers, snowshoers and horseback riders utilize the trail helping them to enjoy the outdoors.

Vicki Monsen, Market President for Watford City's Cornerstone Bank, is among the top 25 women in business 2021 as named by Prairie Business magazine.

Monsen has worked for Cornerstone Bank for 32 years and is heavily involved in many community organizations.

For the first time as a Class A school, the Watford City High School girls basketball team advanced to the State A competition by clinching the Runner up title for the WDA. Senior Ashley Holen was named co-state senior athlete of the year, and Coach Tom Dwyer was named coach of the year.

McKenzie County Emergency Manager Karolin Jappe was recently highlighted by KX News as a "Remarkable Woman." The news story tells of how she became interested in Emergency Management, her move to McKenzie County in 2012, and the work she's been doing to help prepare the county for unexpected events since.

The Motor Vehicle Express kiosk will soon be moving from the McKenzie County Courthouse to the Cashwise grocery store. One can process simple motor vehicle tab renewals at the kiosk. The move will allow for expanded access as Cashwise is open from 6am-10pm seven days a week.