Bakken Formation

The Bakken Formation is a geological area located primarily in North Dakota, Montana, and Canada. It contains rich reserves of oil and natural gas trapped within rock layers. Discovered in the early 2000s, advances in drilling technology, such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking), have made it economically viable to extract these resources. The Bakken has significantly contributed to the U.S. energy supply, boosting local economies and raising environmental concerns regarding fracking's impact on land and water resources. Its development marks a notable shift in the energy landscape, emphasizing the importance of unconventional oil sources.