Natural gas production in North Dakota rose to a record 3.303 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in August from the prior all-time high of 3.292 bcfd in July, while the amount of gas flared increased, according to the North Dakota Industrial Commission on Thursday.

Producers burned off, or flared, 0.154 bcfd of gas in August, up from 0.141 bcfd in July, the commission said in a report, boosting the percentage of gas flared to 5%.

The highest monthly percentage of gas flared was 36% in September 2011.

One billion cubic feet of gas is enough to supply about 5 million U.S. homes for a day.

The commission has set a goal of capturing at least 91% of gas pulled out of the ground after Nov. 1, 2020.

The number of producing wells, both oil and gas, rose to a preliminary record high of 18,380 in August from the prior all-time high of 18,185 in July.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Scott DiSavino, Editing by Marguerita Choy)