Saturday, August 1, 2026

New Wells Coming Off Confidential List This Next Week -- August 1, 2026

Locator: 51301B.
Pageviews: 71,186,512. 12:30 p.m. CT, August 1, 2026.

The wells:

  • 42167, conf, Slawson, Shad Rap Federal 3-2-3H, Big Bend, npd,
  • 42018, conf, Phoenix Operating, Gail Arnold 33-28-21 5H-ll, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-202620
4-2026220
3-2026860
2-20262170
  • 42016, conf, Phoenix Operating, Gail Arnold 33-2-21 3H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20267570
3-2026120
2-2026870
  • 41433, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 3B, Foreman Butte, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262568319805
4-20262570417708
3-20262586820138
2-2026119838009
  • 41432, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 2B, Foreman Butte, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262530519718
4-20262387216654
3-20262668920885
2-2026140369375
  • 42017, conf, Phoenix Operating, Gail Arnold 33-28-21 4H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-202671150
4-202674060
3-2026161240
2-202650530
  • 42015, conf, Phoenix Operating, Gail Arnold 33-28-21 1H, Skabo, 
ateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-202644210
4-202679710
3-2026162430
2-202651390

42014, conf, Phoenix Operating, Gail Arnold 33-28-21 1H, Skabo, 

DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-2026192850
4-2026142370
3-2026208050
2-202675550
  • 42090, conf, Phoenix Operating, Big Stone 32-29-20 3H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262248712521
4-2026204659464
3-2026195090
2-202693420
  • 41434, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 4B, Foreman Butte, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262187516890
4-20262005314224
3-20262546519906
2-20261694111559
  • 42091, conf, Phoenix Operating, Big Stone 32-29-20 5H-LL, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262432612958
4-2026192238533
3-2026159290
2-202677890
  • 41983, conf, Murfin Drilling, LC Rambousek 1-9H, St Anthony, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
6-202642972300
5-202651292844
4-202626071491
3-202642932485
2-202621861258
  • 41277, conf, Oasis, Stepanek 5201 13-18 4B, Elk, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20261291112377
4-20262092918372
3-20262298618871
2-20261392611122
  • 41276, conf, Oasis, Stepanek 5201 13-18 3B, Elk, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-2026101129101
4-20262399019878
3-20261602512577
2-20261738316949
  • 42089, conf, Phoenix Operating, Big Stone 32-29-20 3H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20261897712190
4-2026201799620
3-2026115790
2-202668290
  • 42088, conf, Phoenix Operating, Big Stone 32-29 2H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20261897712190
4-2026201799620
3-2026115790
2-202668290
  • 42087, conf, Phoenix Operating, Big Stone 32-29-20 1H, Skabo, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20261928311941
4-20262381511073
3-2026213110
2-202679410
  • 42078, conf, Silver Hill Energy Operating, K&L Hegstad South W 158-92-10-22-1MBHX, Cottonwood, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
6-2026114568933
5-20261790911528
4-20261779713039
3-20262106013180
2-2026173168615
  • 41275, conf, Oasis, Stepanek 5201 13-18 2B, Elk, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-202696468539
4-20262176118085
3-20262156617075
2-20261913311608
  • 42108, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S617HF, Frazier, npd,
  • 42020, conf, Murfin Drilling, LC Rambousek 1-10H, St Anthony,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262272417662
4-20262543917646
3-20262163817065
2-20262039113859
  • 41435, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 5B, Foreman Butte, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262272417662
4-20262543917646
3-20262163817065
2-20262039113859
  • 42107, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S515HF, Frazier, npd,
  • 42106, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S513HF, Frazier, npd,
  • 41698, conf, Hess, SC-Bingeman-154-98-0904H-8, Truax,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
6-202697710
5-20261497545862
4-20262010154537
3-20262318848417
2-20262374846334
  • 41440, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 10BX, Foreman Butte, 
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
5-20262255917446
4-20262440918257
3-20262047115714
2-20262039914162
  • 42105, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S611HF, Frazier, npd, 

Friday, July 31, 2026

Enbridge Update -- July 31, 2026

Locator: 51300ENB.  
Pageviews: 70,631,985. 11:00 p.m. CT, Friday, 31 July, 2026.

Query: Enbridge delaying Canadian pipelines and concentrate on USA pipelines.

Reply

Line 5 has been ordered to be relocated a few miles off Native American land. Supposedly scheduled for 2027. Link here.

Four New Permits; Two Permits Canceled -- Friday, July 31, 2026

Locator: 51299B.  
Pageviews: 70,538,105. 10:00 p.m. CT, Friday, 31 July, 2026.

Mideast: no meaningful updates at x so far today but sources suggest the allies begin their attacks again this weekend.

************************************
July 31, 2026 

WTI: $84.67.

Active rigs: 27.

Four new permits, #43176 - #43179 --

  • Operators: BR;
  • Fields: Jim Creek (Dunn County);
  • Comments:
    • BR has permits for four Hawkeye wells, NENW 11-145-96, 
      • to be sited 392 / 393 FNL and 1718 / 1814 FWL. 
Two permits canceled:
  • KODA Resources: two Ale permits, #42587 and #42591.

NDIC Hearing Dockets -- August, 2026

Locator: 51298DOCKETS. 

Hearing dockets are found here at the NDIC.

Note: typographical and content errors are still present. Proceed at hour own risk.

August, 2026, hearing dockets.  

As usual this is done very quickly and using shorthand for my benefit. There will be factual and typographical errors on this page. Do not quote me on any of this. It's for my personal use to help me better understand the Bakken. Do not read it. If you do happen to read it, do not make any investment, financial, job, relationship, or travel plans based on anything you read here or think you may have read here. If this stuff is important to you, and I doubt that it is, but if it is, go to the source. These are cases to be considered by the NDIC, not permits. If approved by the NDIC, then operators can go ahead and submit permits to drill wells within the parameters of the cases that were passed.  

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Link here.
13 pages.

The cases, again, these are cases, not permits: 

  • 33083, NDIC, to consider the status of a temporarily abandoned White Rock well, Grassy Butte Field, McKenzie County.
  • 33084, White Rock Resources Holdings, Pierre Creek, Cinnamon Creek and/or Flat Top Butte-Bakken, establish three standup 2560-acre units; four wells on each unit; McKenzie County;
  • 33085, Kraken, Sheep Butte-Bakken, establish a standup 2560-acre unit, four wells on that unit; McKenzie County;
  • 33086, Kraken, Strandahl-Bakken, establish an overlapping standup 2560-acre unit, four wells; Williams County;
  • 33087, Murex, Musta-Bakken, establish an overlapping standup 1920-acre unit, five wells, Divide County;
  • 33088, Murex, Glass Bluff-Bakken, establish two overlapping standup 2560-acre units; five wells on each; McKenzie County;
  • 33089, Petro-Hunt, Big Dipper-Bakken, establish two overlappinglaydown 1920-acre units; three wells on each, Divide County.
  • 33090, Hess, Ross-Bakken, establish an overlapping lqydown 2240-acre; one well; establish an overlapping laydown 2560-acre unit; two wells; establish an overlapping laydown 3200-acre unit; two wells; Mountrail County.
  • 33091, Oasis, Gros Ventre-Bakke, establish an overlapping standup 1920-acre unit; four wells; establish two overlapping laydown 2560-acre uits; four wells; establish an overlapping standup 2560-acfre unit; four wells; Burke County.
  • 33092, Oasis, Bull Butte-Bakken, establish two overlapping standup 2560-acre units; four wells on each, Williams County.
  • 33093, Oasis, Deep Water Creek Bay-Bakken, establish two laydown 2560-acre uints, four wells on each, Dunn, McLean counties.
  • 33094, BR, Bully-Bakken, establish an overlapping standup 2560-acre unit, six wells, McKenzie County.
  • 33095, Devon, pooling,
  • 33096, Devon, pooling,
  • 33097, Devon, pooling,
  • 33098, Devon, pooling,
  • 33099, Kraken, commingling,
  • 33100, BR, pooling,
  • 33101, BR, pooling,
  • 33102, Hess, pooling,
  • 33103, Hess, pooling,
  • 33104, Hess, pooling,
  • 33105, commingling,
  • 33106, Hess, commingling,
  • 33107, Hess, commingling,
  • 33108, Enerplus, commingling,
  • 33109, Petro-Hunt, SWD,
  • 33110, Murex, SWD, 
  • 33111, True Oil, SWD.

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Link here.
15 pages.

The cases, again, these are cases, not permits: 

  • 33112, NDIC, KODA Resources, to consider the lease-line spacing on most of T160N-R103W, Divide County. 
  • 33113, NDIC, review the pilot injection project for the EOR authorization for CLR, East Fork-Bakken, Wiliams County.
  • 33114, SOGC, Lone Butte-Bakken, establish two overlapping 1920-acre units; four wells; McKenzie County.
  • 33115, Phoenix Operating, Lone Butte-Bakken establish a standup 1920-acre unit, four wells; McKenzie County.
  • 33116, Phoenix Operating, Hanks/Climax-Bakken to establish a standup 2560-acre unit, four wells, Williams County.
  • 33117, Phoenix Operating, Hanks/Climax-Bakken, establish a standup 2560-acre unit, four weels; Williams County.
  • 33118, Phoenix Operating, Climax-Bakken, establish a standup 2560-acre unit, four wells; Williams County.
  • 33119, Phoenix Operating, Climax-Bakken, establish a standup 1920-acre. unit; four wells, Williams County.
  • 33120, Phoenix Operating, Climax/Strandahl-Bakken, establish a standup 1920-acre unit, four wells; Williams County.
  • 33121, SOGC, pooling,
  • 33122, SGOC, pooling,
  • 33123, Silver Hill, pooling,  
  • 33124, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33125, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33126, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33127, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33128, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33129, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33130, Silver Hill, pooling, 
  • 33131, EOG, pooling, 
  • 33132, EOG, pooling,  
  • 33133, EOG, pooling, 
  • 33134, EOG, pooling, 
  • 33135, EOG, pooling, 
  • 33136, Phoenix Operating, commingling,
  • 33137, Phoenix Operating, commingling,
  • 33138, Phoenix Operating, commingling,
  • 33139, Phoenix Operating, commingling,
  • 33140, Phoenix Operating, SWD, 
  • 33141, Dakota Fluid, SWD,
  • 33142, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 33143, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 331144, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 33145, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 33146, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 33147, Formentera Operations, SWD, 
  • 33148, Formentera Operations, SWD,  
  • 33149, Scout Energy, SWD,  

Wow, What A Week -- TGIF -- July 31, 2026

Locator: 51297B. 
Pageviews: 70,323,924. 10:43 a.m. CT, Friday, 31 July, 2026.
24-hour rate: 543,332 pageviews in the past 26 hours.

The market:

  • AAPL: resets -- back it what it was maybe two months ago? 
  • AMZN: surges -- 
  • CVX: very volatile; currently up $2.09, trading at $194.63. Still well below the 52-week high, $214.71.

**********************************************
Back to the Bakken

WTI: $85.49.

New wells reporting:

  • Sunday, August 2, 2026: 4 for the month, 45 for the quarter, 398 for the year, 
    • 42106, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S513HF,
    • 41698, conf, Hess, SC-Bingeman-154-98-0904H-8, 
    • 41440, conf, Whiting, Jefferson Federal 5003 42-14 10BX,
  • Saturday, August 1, 2026: 1 for the month, 42 for the quarter, 395 for the year,
    • 42105, conf, Formentera Operations, Bull Mountain-31-18-DIV S611HF, 
  • Friday, July 31, 2026: 41 for the month, 41 for the quarter, 394 for the year, 
    • None.

RBN Energy: major changes disrupting global oil and refined product flows. Link here. Archived.

Since early 2026, crude oil and refined product flows have been fundamentally rerouted both within the U.S. and around the world, with more changes still to come. The disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and sweeping changes in Venezuela's export strategy have dramatically reshaped trade flows in just six months. At the same time, refinery closures along the U.S. West Coast and new product pipelines headed there will send barrels down paths they haven’t traditionally traveled, reshaping both domestic and even global markets in the process. In today’s RBN blog, we look at these major shifts and what they could mean going forward.

Most recently in Waiting on the World to Change, we discussed our newly released Future of Fuels report, which forecasts lower global crude oil prices and a potential rollback in U.S. production in the next few years. Today’s blog offers another look at some of the key developments examined in our report. Three issues stand out. The Strait of Hormuz, Venezuela, and plans for a new wave of pipelines into the West Coast have already shaken up the market in a big way, with more changes to come; we'll tackle them one at a time.

As we’ve addressed in the RBN blogosphere, the Trump administration’s actions against Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz seriously impacted global crude and product markets, not least of which is the massive Pacific Basin fuels market. With the strait now substantially blocked for almost all of the past four-plus months (see Eyes of the Ranger), large volumes of Persian Gulf crude oil, LPG, naphtha and refined products bound for Asia were suddenly stranded, forcing refiners in South Korea, India and elsewhere to cut runs and curb gasoline and jet fuel exports (see Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad). As of late July, with on-and-off hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, the strait’s outlook continues to be uncertain, with the picture seemingly changing by the day.

U.S. gasoline, diesel and jet fuel exports have helped plug part of the hole left by disrupted Persian Gulf flows. An interim deal between the U.S. and Iran in June briefly calmed tensions, and as Figure 1 below shows, crossings rebounded sharply later that month. But it did not last. Even during periods when the Strait of Hormuz has technically remained open, traffic has been sparse and vulnerable to disruption. The week of July 6 highlighted that reality and it’s been uncertain since that time (red bars to far right). Three tankers were struck by projectiles or drones on July 7, leading the U.S. to revoke the temporary license that had allowed Iranian oil sales under the cease-fire agreement and launch a new round of strikes against Iran. Vessel traffic quickly thinned out. Before the conflict, there were typically 130 to 135 ships daily, counting inbound and outbound traffic. On July 8, when President Trump declared the cease-fire over, Kpler recorded just 24 tanker transits, including inbound and outbound movements.