"In just two years, we're looking like Saudi Arabia."

via minnpost.com

In the past five years, oil production in North Dakota has climbed nearly 40 percent, to about 43 million barrels last year. State officials and industry leaders say the record annual production of 52.6 million barrels, set in 1984, is within reach in a year or two as the boom continues.

In the first month of 2008, the state issued 90 drilling permits. At that pace, permits for the year will more than double the numbers for 2007.

"It doesn't look like anything is going to slow them up," said state Rep. Kenton Onstad, a Democrat from Parshall. "I think there are 17 rigs working in Mountrail County alone, and we hear that more are coming.

"In just two years, we're looking like Saudi Arabia."

What great news for the city of Parshall and the county of Mountrail.

This should bring what the residents of Parshall has been wanting for decades, and that is the rebuilding the schools along with rebuilding the failing roads and infrastructure, and finally to bring in new businesses that can create long-term jobs for the future.