(Bismarck, ND) — A major petroleum conference is kicking off in Bismarck today. Thousands of oilfield executives, geologists, and government officials will be attending the 31st annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, which is being held at the Bismarck event center. The conference runs through Thursday, and will include a celebration dedicated to the production of more than 5-billion barrels of oil in the region. It will also bring together the oil industry’s leading experts on breakthrough technologies, energy markets, potential untapped formations, and more.