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N.D. (AP) – North Dakota has set an oil production record for the fifth consecutive year. The state Department of Mineral Resources said Tuesday that crude production through September totaled more than 173.9 million barrels. That’s up from the record 152.9 million barrels set last year.

Agency spokeswoman Alison Ritter says the state is on pace to surpass 200 million barrels in 2012.

North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness called the state’s oil output “remarkable.” He says crude from western North Dakota’s oil patch is fueling refineries across the country. North Dakota is the nation’s No. 2 oil producer, behind Texas.

The U.S. Department of Energy says North Dakota accounts for about 12 percent of total U.S. crude production. That’s up from 1 percent less than five years ago.