Area oil activity lagging, despite strong year for state

It has been a busy year for the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, as there has been quite a bit of activity in the state, according to Deputy Director Stan Belieu—although search and drilling operations have not been consistent across Nebraska.

“There’s not much activity around Sidney,” Belieu explained. “Production has increased in the state, but decreased locally.”

Two large wells were drilled near Potter and one west in Lorenzo. The wells have not been offset, meaning oil companies have not drilled more around them.

In 2012, Nebraska produced over 3 million barrels of crude oil,...