After months of being the red-headed stepchild to the Permian, the Bakken shale play is getting resurgence. Crude oil production in North Dakota reached an all-new high for the second time this year in July, averaging 1.27 million barrels per day. Monthly oil production in July was 39.35 million barrels. Wood Mackenzie broke down some key factors that are attracting investments to the Bakken and nearby Three Forks formation. Operators are planning to spend USD 5 billion in planned CAPEX this year in these areas. Operators are expected to spend more than USD 40 billion in the play over the next five years. In August, shale producer Continental Resources said it was allocating USD 200 million this year to increased drilling and completion activity, with a third of that focused on the Bakken, Reuters reported. The investments will be significantly less than the Permian due in part to activity levels and rig count.