Oil and gas production from Montana's state trust lands

With all the attention given increased prices and profits lately, one might wonder what the impact of oil and gas production has been on Montana's economy. The direct economic impact of the entire oil and gas industry in Montana is approximately $5.8 billion and supports over 5,000 Montana jobs. Another component of the overall economic impact of oil and gas production in Montana is the direct impact it has on school funding through the management of state trust lands. The increase in oil and gas activity in Montana has clearly been dramatic. In the last three years, oil and gas production increased by 94% and 22%, respectively, while the number of new well permits and board orders more than doubled. Increases in oil and gas rentals, bonuses, and royalties equate to greater revenues generated from state trust lands. How increases in trust revenues will influence education funding in the future is ultimately a policy decision by the Legislature.