Regan Brown
South Dakota is one of the least populated states in the US, with fewer than 1 million inhabitants. It has a low overall energy demand, but its per capita energy demand is high due to cold winters and hot summers. South Dakota has minimal fossil fuel reserves, but it does have some oil and natural gas reserves in the western and northwestern parts of the state. In 2018, 112,519 barrels of oil were produced on federal land in South Dakota. In 2022, the state produced less than 1 million barrels of oil, and in 2023, crude oil production fell to 929,000 barrels. South Dakota also has a long history of oil exploration, with the first oil-producing well drilled in 1953.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil Fuels | Oil, Gas, Coal |
| Crude Oil Production | 1-2 million barrels per year for four decades; 929,000 barrels in 2023 |
| Petroleum Use | Among the highest 10 states per capita |
| Natural Gas | Piped in from Canada and Texas; used in nearly half of all households |
| Coal | Imported from Wyoming; generates about 40% of South Dakota's electricity |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas | Pumped in via pipelines from surrounding states |
| Federal Land Revenue | $936,403 in calendar year 2019 |
| Federal Disbursements | $479,111 in fiscal year 2019 |
| Oil Production on Federal Land | 112,519 barrels in 2018 |
| Gas Production on Federal Land | 930,766 mcf in 2018 |
| Fuel Ethanol | 4th largest producer in the US; 16 plants producing about 34 million barrels annually |
| Renewable Energy | Wind, Solar, Biofuels, Geothermal |
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What You'll Learn
South Dakota's fossil fuel reserves are limited
South Dakota has limited fossil fuel reserves. The state's fossil fuel reserves consist of oil and natural gas, with some crude oil production. In 2022, South Dakota produced less than 1 million barrels of oil, and in 2023, production fell to 929,000 barrels, the lowest level in over 40 years. The majority of oil and gas production occurs in the Williston Basin in northwestern South Dakota. South Dakota also has several liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipelines supplying gas from surrounding states. However, the state consumes very little natural gas, instead piping most of it to other midwestern states.
South Dakota's limited fossil fuel reserves have led to a focus on renewable energy sources. The state has a high per capita energy demand due to its cold winters, hot summers, and energy-intensive industries. With its vast Great Plains and low population density, South Dakota has significant potential for wind energy, and wind power has become a major source of electricity in the state. In 2022, wind power accounted for about 55% of South Dakota's electricity generation, and by 2023, wind supplied nearly three times as much electricity as hydropower. The state also has the potential for biomass-fueled electricity generation, with the Sisseton Tribe of northeastern South Dakota being one of the top five tribes in the nation for biomass resources.
In addition to wind and biomass, South Dakota is exploring other renewable energy sources. As a major corn producer, the state is a leader in corn-based ethanol production, with 16 fuel ethanol plants capable of producing about 34 million barrels annually. Solar power is also being developed in South Dakota, with the planned Lookout Solar Park on the Pine Ridge reservation expected to be the state's largest solar farm when operational. Other smaller solar projects are in development on tribal lands. Furthermore, South Dakota has several renewable natural gas (RNG) projects that use animal manure from farms to produce biogas.
While South Dakota still relies on coal for electricity generation, the state does not have any coal mines or reserves. As a result, most of the coal used in South Dakota's coal-fired power plants is imported, mainly from Wyoming. South Dakota is also a net importer of natural gas, with most of its supply coming from Canada and Texas. The state's limited fossil fuel reserves and increasing adoption of renewable energy sources reflect a broader shift towards clean energy solutions.
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Oil exploration and production began in the 1950s
South Dakota has minimal reserves of fossil fuels, but it does have some oil and natural gas reserves in the western part of the state. Oil exploration and production in South Dakota began in the 1950s, with the first oil-producing well drilled in 1953 and oil production commencing the following year. The majority of the state's oil and gas production takes place in the Williston Basin in northwestern South Dakota. In recent years, the state's crude oil production has ranged from 1 million to 2 million barrels per year, but in 2023, production fell to 929,000 barrels, the lowest level in four decades.
South Dakota's fossil fuel production also includes natural gas and other hydrocarbon compounds. In 2018, 112,519 barrels of oil were produced on federal land in the state. The state's energy landscape is evolving, with a growing commitment to renewable energy sources. South Dakota has a high per capita energy demand due to its cold winters, hot summers, and energy-intensive industries. However, its overall energy demand is low due to its small population.
The state's electricity is primarily generated from coal and hydroelectricity, with coal generating about 40% and hydroelectric power contributing more than half. South Dakota imports coal, mainly from Wyoming, as it lacks coal mines or reserves. Additionally, natural gas is piped in from Canada and Texas. The transportation sector accounts for about three-fourths of the state's petroleum consumption, with motor gasoline and diesel fuel being the primary sources.
South Dakota is a leader in corn production and is a major producer of corn-based ethanol. The state has 16 fuel ethanol plants that can produce about 34 million barrels annually. In recent years, South Dakota has significantly increased its renewable energy output, particularly wind power, which provided 55% of the state's electricity generation in 2022 and 2023. The state has some of the best onshore wind resources in the nation, with 24 active wind farms as of mid-2024.
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Oil and gas production is focused in the Williston Basin
South Dakota is one of the states with the lowest total petroleum consumption. However, due to its small population, its per capita petroleum use is among the highest in the US. The state's crude oil production has ranged between about 1 and 2 million barrels per year for four decades, though it fell to 929,000 barrels in 2023. South Dakota is also the nation's fourth-largest fuel ethanol producer.
Oil and gas production in South Dakota is focused in the Williston Basin, a large intracratonic sedimentary basin in eastern Montana, western North Dakota, South Dakota, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba. The basin is known for its rich deposits of petroleum and potash. The Williston Basin also holds large coal deposits, primarily in the Fort Union Formation, which were first noted during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Mining of these coal deposits began in 1873 near Sims, North Dakota, and the period from 1900 to 1920 saw a large-scale increase in the lignite industry.
In 1951, oil was discovered on the Nesson Anticline in the Williston Basin, leading to a rush of oil firms buying up leases on farmland to explore for oil. By 1954, 80% of the possible oil-producing areas were under lease, and production peaked in 1986. In the early 2000s, significant increases in production began due to horizontal drilling techniques (fracking), especially in the Bakken Formation. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 4.3 billion barrels of oil and 4.9 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of the Williston Basin Province.
The Williston Basin also contains several confirmed impact craters, such as Viewfield, Red Wing Creek, and Eagle Butte. The basin started subsiding due to strike-slip movement along northeast-southwest trending faults, resulting in the deposition of the Winnipeg Group. The Kaskaskia Sequence deposition in the Williston Basin occurred during two transgressive cycles, and the basin became the southeastern corner of the Elk Point Basin when the Elk Point Group, Manitoba Group, and Saskatchewan Group were deposited.
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South Dakota's petroleum use per capita is high
South Dakota uses less total petroleum than most other states. However, its per capita petroleum use is among the highest in the country. This is due to the state's small population. The transportation sector accounts for about three-fourths of the state's petroleum consumption, with motor gasoline and diesel fuel being the most used. South Dakota's relatively low population density and lack of access to alternative forms of public transportation contribute to a high number of vehicle miles travelled per capita. As a result, it is one of the few states with significantly higher motor gasoline expenditures per capita than the US average.
South Dakota has no significant proved crude oil reserves and no oil refineries. However, it does have a small amount of crude oil production, which has ranged between about 1 million and 2 million barrels per year for four decades. In 2023, production fell to 929,000 barrels, the lowest level since before 1981. Almost all of the state's crude oil production is concentrated in the northwestern corner of the state, with Harding County producing most of South Dakota's crude oil and natural gas.
South Dakota's crude oil production accounts for only 0.02% of the nation's total. Two crude oil pipelines that cross eastern South Dakota transport oil to refineries and terminals in other states. Other petroleum product pipelines bring refined products to South Dakota consumers through neighbouring states. While South Dakota has a relatively low total petroleum consumption, its per capita consumption is high due to the state's small population and other factors such as transportation options and population density.
South Dakota's per capita petroleum use is among the highest in the nation, and the state is taking steps to diversify its energy sources. In addition to petroleum, South Dakota has a significant presence in the fuel ethanol industry, ranking as the fourth-largest producer in the country. The state's 16 fuel ethanol plants can produce about 34 million barrels annually, contributing to about 9% of the total US fuel ethanol output in 2022.
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Coal is imported from neighbouring states
South Dakota has minimal reserves of fossil fuels, but it does have some oil and natural gas reserves in the western part of the state. The state's electricity is primarily generated from coal and hydroelectricity, with coal generating about 40% of South Dakota's electricity. However, there are no coal mines or reserves in South Dakota, so the coal used in the state's coal-fired power plants is imported from neighbouring states, mainly Wyoming. This is due to South Dakota's lack of fossil fuel reserves, which has led to a growing commitment to renewable energy sources.
South Dakota's electricity generation from coal is expected to decrease as the state transitions to cleaner energy sources. The state has a high per capita energy demand due to its cold winters and hot summers, as well as energy-intensive industries. To meet this demand, South Dakota has been importing coal from neighbouring states, particularly Wyoming, to satisfy its coal-fired power plants. This has been a significant source of electricity for the state, but it is important to note that South Dakota also has a long history of oil exploration, with the first oil-producing well drilled in 1953 and oil production beginning the following year.
The majority of oil and gas production in South Dakota takes place in the Williston Basin in the northwestern part of the state. In recent years, South Dakota's oil production has declined, with production falling to 929,000 barrels in 2023, the lowest level since before 1981. Despite this, South Dakota still relies on coal, and the neighbouring states, particularly Wyoming, are able to provide the necessary resources. Wyoming has a significant coal industry and is able to supply South Dakota with the coal it needs to generate electricity for its residents and industries.
The transportation sector in South Dakota accounts for about three-fourths of the state's petroleum consumption, with motor gasoline and diesel fuel being the most commonly used types. South Dakota's per capita petroleum use is among the highest in the nation, partly due to its low population density and lack of access to alternative forms of transportation. The state also pipes natural gas from Texas and Canada to Minnesota and other Midwestern states, and nearly half of all households use natural gas as their primary source of energy for home heating. South Dakota's energy landscape is evolving, with a growing focus on renewable sources such as solar, biofuels, and geothermal energy.
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Frequently asked questions
South Dakota has minimal reserves of fossil fuels. However, the state does have some oil and natural gas reserves in the western and northwestern parts of the state.
Coal is the primary fossil fuel used in South Dakota, with around 40% of the state's electricity generated from coal. However, South Dakota does not have any coal mines or reserves, so it imports coal from neighbouring Wyoming.
Oil is the second most-used fossil fuel in South Dakota, with the state producing between 1 and 2 million barrels per year for four decades. In 2022, production fell to 929,000 barrels.
Natural gas is another fossil fuel used in South Dakota, although the state consumes very little of it overall. South Dakota pipes natural gas from Texas and Canada to Minnesota and other Midwestern states.
South Dakota is becoming a notable player in renewable energy production due to its limited fossil fuel reserves. The state has significantly increased its renewable energy output, primarily through wind power, which accounted for about 55% of its electricity generation in 2022.
