See first comment regarding Part I and Part II of this series.
From Part III, the first link:
Exxon, Conoco, and even Chevron, will be looking for big purchases if and when it begins to acquire acreage. The companies will be looking for acreage on and around the Nesson Anticline as most of the big players have done. This is why Continental Resources becomes interesting. It has approximately 1 million acres, and continues to add. Of this acreage, a very large portion is in the vicinity of the Nesson Anticline. Although I find it hard to believe that Harold Hamm would be motivated to sell, all three companies could come up with the $19 billion to purchase this company.
This would be a great introduction to the Bakken for Chevron.
Whiting is another target. It has 712,000 net acres in the Bakken, but its acreage position differs from Continental and the company would be easier to buy. Whiting's acreage is not as good, but still interesting. Its Sanish acreage is probably its best from a Bakken/Three Forks standpoint, but its Tarpon acreage has the best well to date in the Bakken. It also has the largest acreage position with the Pronghorn Sands as the main target.
All three could also be interested in Oasis and Kodiak. It is safe to say that at least one of the Big Three will be the top lease holder in the Williston Basin sometime in the future.