Diesel For Harvest Might Be Adequate With Slowdown

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Officials say the slowdown in North Dakota's oil patch should help keep fuel supplies adequate for the state's fall crop harvest.

The harvest often spurs diesel shortages for farm machinery in the Upper Midwest. In North Dakota, the problem has been magnified in recent years because of the oil drilling activity in the western part of the state.

It takes about 3,000 gallons of diesel daily to power one drill rig. On Tuesday, there were 73 drill rigs working in the state. That's 120 fewer than on the same day one year ago.

South Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association Director Dawna Leitzke says an expected "phenomenal harvest" this fall could cause a diesel shortage in that state and petroleum dealers might look to North Dakota for fuel.