Rail will continue in key midstream role as pipelines race to move more oil.

Drilling efficiency, in tandem with a move to pad drilling, generates higher well counts with little change in rig input.

Success in deeper benches of the Three Forks could add even more upside.

Exploration of the Three Forks’ third bench and downspacing are two watchwords in the Bakken shale for 2013.

A 2008 report did not include the Three Forks formation.

While some plays in the area are proved producers, others simply lack the geology.

In less than a decade, increased production, takeaway capacities, and operator effort in the Bakken have bumped North Dakota up in the rankings to become the second leading state in crude oil production.

Analysts expect oil to move via railway despite planned pipelines.

But more combo plays are on the horizon, according to EOG Resources CEO Mark Papa.

In the Cana Woodford and Granite Wash, rig count climbs.

Economic development group spells out need for pump jacks, fracing sand, dentists and haircuts.

Born in the U.S., the quest for oil and gas from shales, coal and tight sands now attracts operators in Canada and worldwide.

The company, focusing on the Bakken, seeks to divest its Eagle Ford assets.

Bakken share gains should reverse as drilling stagnates, activity in other basins expands.

Most of the focus on the Bakken shale production has understandably been on crude, but the play also contains a large quantity of natural gas liquids (NGLs) that requires the development of new midstream facilities.