Smithsonian Channel to Air Bakken Oil Documentary

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Smithsonian Channel is set to air a docu-series about the oil boom that has drawn thousands of workers to the Bakken shale region of North Dakota and Montana.

"Boomtowners" is comprised of six one-hour episodes and will debut on April 26. The series chronicles the daily lives of people who live and work in the epicenter of the area's oil boom.

David Royle, executive vice president of programming and production at the Smithsonian Channel, says the Bakken oil boom has attracted compelling characters from all walks of life who are seeking the American dream in this modern-day gold rush.

The Bakken oil boom began in 2010 with the development of hydraulic fracturing. Production in the area has since grown to over 1 million barrels of oil a day.