Simmer down, hot stuff Permian, we’re looking north today where N.D., earns a well-deserved spotlight. Reese Energy Consulting is following the latest news from the Still-Mighty Bakken, which scored an all-time high in oil and gas volumes April through May, increasing by more than 1 MMBbls and 4+ BCF. The EIA projects August production of 1.2 MMBPD and 3.28 BCF. The Bakken also broke a record in July for number of wells, coming in an eyelash short of 18,000.

Among Williston Basin pure players, Houston-based Kraken Resources is a relative long-timer there going back to 2012, and operating 330 of those wells across 170,000 net acres in N.D., and Mont. The company now will now add to its Bakken footprint with its $500 million all-cash acquisition of Calgary-based Crescent Point’s N.D., assets. Details of the deal are sparse, but the company reports 2Q production of 23.5 MBOED.

Speaking of production—in this case, by the N.D., workforce—it’s no secret Bakken oilfield jobs are ridiculously plentiful. But the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) gets the REC Award for Most Creative Campaign to Attract Workers. NDPC in July launched Bakken GROW (Global Recruitment of Oilfield Workers) to employ Ukrainian immigrants—most with families struggling with war back home. Describing the program as part humanitarian mission, part workforce solution, Bakken GROW earlier this month welcomed 16 new arrivals with another 12 onboarding by the end of August. And, yes, perogies are on the meet-and-greet lunch menu. Well done, N.D.