Friday -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51762ARCHIVES.

Re-posting:

Weather and sports report: it's 5:21 p.m. CT, September 18, 2026, and it's 99°F in Dallas. It's starting to cool off; by this time next week it should be in the lower 90s or upper 80s -- whoo-hoo. 

Yesterday, Sophia ran her first two-mile cross-country race and did respectfully well. Today, track in the morning at 6:45 a.m. and now late in the afternoon, jiu-jitsu, before going to a late evening birthday party. 

A long, long day for Sophia. And she met a new friend today -- a transfer student -- her new friend is one of three triplets -- Sophia says her two brothers and she (their sister) look nothing alike. Sophia thought perhaps in vitro fertilization. Sophia is in seventh grade. Okay.

Bayeau Tapestry: years ago when we were stationed in England, I was particularly interested in the Bayeux Tapestry. I remember reading at least one book on the tapestry and took copious notes, trying to figure out the history depicted on the tapestry on my own. The New York Times has an incredible article on the tapestry, now being exhibited in England while its own museum in France is going under renovation. I wonder if Macron's name is anywhere on either museum? Link here. 

Wouldn't this be considered a force majeure? We talked about this this past week. 

You can howl at the wind, but AI is here to stay. Not 10%, not 20%, not even 100%, but will triple data center capability by 2032 and wont' do it renting access from neoclouds. The premier neocloud is CoreWeave.

Legacy Fund -- Data For August, 2026 -- Posted September 18, 2026

Locator: 51761LEGACYFUND.

Link here. 

Site / chart won't load on some browsers.

Charts:

Alison's Quick Connects -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51760B.

Alison's quick connects:

• Powering opportunity: How energy industry shaped North Dakota, nation -- Minot Daily News

• Geronimo Power eyes potential data center development near Fargo -- North Dakota Monitor

• Rising fuel prices create ripple effect for North Dakota consumers -- KFYR-TV

• North Dakota loses Talon Metals nickel processing site to Michigan -- North Dakota Monitor

• Inside Applied Digital's 'small city' data center rising from the plains north of Fargo -- Dickinson Press

• EPA proposes approval of North Dakota's Regional Haze Plan partially rejected in 2024 -- Bismarck Tribune

• Neighbor of possible 2nd Cass County data center was not informed of pending land sale -- Dickinson Press

• EPA repeals power plant emissions rule; North Dakota leaders celebrate 'win for energy grid' -- KFYR-TV

• Three-day Standing Rock gathering focuses on clean energy 10 years after NoDAPL -- Bismarck Tribune

• Data center event aims to 'improve understanding'; leaders convene in Tioga with residents -- The Journal

• McKenzie County probes data center noise; experts address health concerns -- McKenzie County Farmer

• Prima Exploration Inc. reports a 33,000 gallon produced water spill in Divide County -- The Journal

• Mandan residents are petitioning for a citywide vote to ban large-scale AI data centers -- Bismarck Tribune

• PSC to hold public hearing regarding proposal to construct wind farm in Williams County -- Minot Daily News

• Petroleum Council gathers in Watford City to celebrate growth, plot Bakken 2.0 at annual meeting -- WZFG

• Missouri Bend Energy Center represents reliable electricity generation opportunity -- The Beacon

• Project Tundra continuing forward under updated joint development structure -- The Beacon

• Record diesel prices topping $6 a gallon hit North Dakota farmers at the wrong time -- Dickinson Press

• Armstrong appoints Jennifer Turnbow to lead ND Department of Environmental Quality -- Governor's Officer

• First tribal police recruits set to graduate from basic training in Grafton, North Dakota -- North Dakota Monitor

• Tariff fight between US and Canada disrupts North Dakota agriculture and manufacturing -- Bismarck Tribune

• ND Secretary of State joins coalition urging Supreme Court to stop new USPS ballot rules -- KFYR-TV

• 'Supreme Court needed to hear from North Dakota': Howe reacts to blocked mail ballot mandate -- KFYR-TV

• Panel sets tentative 3% pay increases as starting point for North Dakota lawmakers -- North Dakota Monitor

• Former lawmaker overseeing federal farm programs out to cut red tape, modernize -- North Dakota Monitor

• In-depth evaluation finds gaps in North Dakota childcare data and program oversight -- Bismarck Tribune

• Experts to bring energy perspectives to Greater North Dakota Chamber's Policy Summit -- Minot Daily News

• 8-year-old raises $1,600 for North Dakota military gallery project with lemonade stand -- KFYR-TV

• Federal bill to protect wild horses in North Dakota faces no opposition in House hearing -- Dickinson Press

• Natural Resources Committee approve Theodore Roosevelt Library bill; Hoeven responds -- John Hoeven

• Rep. Julie Fedorchak's High-Capacity Grid Act passes the House unanimously -- Julie Fedorchak

• EPA inspections at Pembina port expands crackdown on illegal imports -- Environmental Protection Agency

• Minot School Board moves toward sale of three properties at its meeting last week -- Minot Daily News

• NDDPI announces Student Legislative Summit, Superintendent's Student Cabinet -- Minot Daily News

• North Dakota universities prepare students for growing oilfield automation demand -- KFYR-TV

• Divide County High School allows seniors to rent and paint parking spots for the year -- The Journal

• Ray Public School board approves project bond resolutions ahead of budget hearing -- The Journal

• Divide County sophomore one of 25 named statewide to North Dakota Student Cabinet -- The Journal

• North Dakota state lawmakers get report card on students in virtual learning programs -- KX News

• Williston State College awarded NSF grant to strengthen energy, STEM workforce -- Minot Daily News

• Nesson School District #2 approves mostly flat millage rate for 26-27 general fund, levy -- Williston Herald

• First Hazen Elementary School teacher trophy award of the new year goes to Ms. Vernon -- Hazen Star

• Higher education is key to solving ND's workforce challenge, says Creedence Energy CEO -- WDAY

• Research fellowship spotlights North Dakota's most rural communities -- Minot Daily News

• McKenzie County experiences supercell thunderstorm which produced tornado -- McKenzie County Farmer

• The 740 people of Ray are set to collectively pay the city's levy of $320,916 in 2027 -- Williston Herald

• Local newspapers seeking freelance journalists, photographers for news, sports, features -- Williston Herald

• District 26 North Dakota House candidate Brent Schwan calls for oil tax dollars to stay local -- KFYR-TV

• Several new grievances heard by Mercer County Commission during a special meeting -- Hazen Star

• Stark County Commission discusses budget for 2027 and reorganizing park board -- Dickinson Press

• Developers eye Native nations, tribal communities for new data center projects -- North Dakota Monitor

• EPA eliminates rule that limits planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants -- KFYR-TV

• Trump floats idea to 'stay and keep the oil' in Iran, comparing notion to Venezuela deal -- The Hill

• Oil prices leap more than 4 percent after militant Houthis struck Saudi Arabia's infrastructure -- The Hill

• Venezuelan officials heading to G20 energy summit as the US seeks additional oil investment -- World Oil

• IEA again lowers its 2026 global oil supply outlook: normal Gulf flows not expected this year -- Oil Price

• How to handle political attacks on data center support? Be bold, proud, unapologetic. -- RealClearEnergy

• Trump guts rules governing nation's climate regulations for power plants: Here's what to know -- The Hill

• Saudi Arabia's oil pipeline could be back in service within days, US Energy Secretary says -- Oil Price

• Nothing is driving more new U.S. economic investment or political volatility than data centers. -- Axios

• Chevron to expand its natural gas business in Argentina, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Australia -- Oil Price

• Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to avoid energy targets as global fuel prices rise -- The Hill

• Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak's High Capacity Grid Act unanimously passes the US House -- KFGO

• US nuclear regulator's overhaul of rules to hasten approvals will run well into 2027, its chief says -- Reuters

• President Trump referred to surging gas prices as a small "price to pay" for the U.S. war in Iran -- The Hill

• Global LNG prices could shoot higher this winter as Europe holds its lowest stocks in years -- Reuters

• India pushes back on US tariff threat over Russian oil; will continue prioritizing energy security -- Oil Price

Daily Activity Report -- Seven New Permits; Five Permits Renewed -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51759B.

Chart of the day: see disclaimer. Very volatile but back above $1,000. Up 120% in last six months. Note the p/e of 23.

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

Director's Cut: August, 2026, data -- link here. 

WTI: $100.30.

Active rigs: 32.

Seven new permits,  

• 43312, conf, CLR, Billings 2-16HSL, East Fork, NENW 21-156-99; 420 FNL 1665 FWL;
• 43313, conf, CLR, Stockton 2-21H, East Fork, NENW 21-156-99; 420 FNL 1697 FWL;
• 43114, conf, CLR, Billings 3-16HSL, East Fork, NENW 21-156-99; 420 FNL 1730 FWL;
• 43315, conf, CLR, Stockton 3-21H, East Fork, NENW 21-156-99; 420 FNL 1762 FWL;
• 43316, conf, CLR, Billings 4-16HSL, East Fork, NENW 21-156-99; 420 FNL 1795 FWL;
• 43317, conf, Hess, GO-Skjei MW TR-158-98-3526H-4, Rainbow, lot 2 3-15798, 350 FNL 1883 FEL;
• 43318, conf, BR, HBU Sandstone 10S MBH, Haystack Butte, SESE 15-148-98, 1019 FSL 126 FEL;

Six permits renewed: 

• Hess (3): three SC-Ellingsberg permits, Truax oil field, Williams County;
• KODA Resources (2): two Stout permits; Fertile Valley, Divide County.

Nvidia Chip Sales Could Double Next Year, CEO Jensen Huang Says -- Barron's -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51758NVDA.

Nvidia chip sales could double next year, CEO Jensen Huang says, link to Barron's here.

In today's news, Jensen Huang in Barron's says chip sales could double next year. I subscribe to Barron's and will read the article later, but I'm curious -- is this really something new or is it simply an ad for a Barron's article? Or simply more of Huang "talking his book"?

The reply is at this link: https://share.google/aimode/tf92gIaV7v7UUCFl2.  

The "Honda_Premium" Meme Vs Subaru -- Friday, September 18, 2026

 Locator: 51757HONDA.

Tag: Honda Subaru automobiles 

Wow, interesting. 

 I don't need AWD. Period. Dot. 

Link here. Link: https://share.google/aimode/zAznSYYbv5OikDJ3F.

Schwab Headquarters, Westlake, Texas -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51756DFW-SCHWAB.

Later: it's 5:21 p.m. CT, September 18, 2026, and it's 99°F in Dallas. It's starting to cool off; by this time next week it should be in the lower 90s or upper 80s -- whoo-hoo. 

Yesterday, Sophia ran her first two-mile cross-country race and did respectfully well. Today, track in the morning at 6:45 a.m. and now late in the afternoon, jiu-jitsu, before going to a late evening birthday party. A long, long day for Sophia. And she met a new friend today -- a transfer student -- her new friend is one of three triplets -- Sophia says her two brothers and she (their sister) look nothing alike. Sophia thought perhaps in vitro fertilization. Sophia is in seventh grade. Okay.

Back to Texas. The population - geographic center of the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) metroplex will be northwest of Ft Worth in 2050 -- Rhome, Roanoke, Alliance Airport, the 35W corridor, Texas Motor Speedway, Buc-ee's, outlet mall. 

Confirmed with chatgpt today: link here. 

 

 

Whatever Happened To That Proposed Trenton, North Dakota, Refinery? September 18, 2026

Locator: 51755TRENTON.

Whatever happened to the greenfield refinery that was planned for Trenton, North Dakota, Williams County, North Dakota, maybe 15 years ago? 

The greenfield refinery originally planned for Trenton, North Dakota around 15 years ago—known as the Trenton Diesel Refinery project by Dakota Oil Processing—faced decades-long developmental delays and never broke ground as initially intended.

Much, much, much more at this link. This is amazing! 

See this RBN Energy post: https://rbnenergy.com/daily-posts/blog/crude-loves-rock-n-rail-bakken-oil-express-dakota-plains-bakkenlink-savage. 

Link here: https://share.google/aimode/UpwkbBc0lr9BbsneP. 

AI says the specific address is 4622 ND-1804, Trenton, ND 58853. 

MMF Record -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51754MMF.

Tag: MMF MMFs money market funds 

iPhone 18s hit Apple stores today. 

Excellent discussion on this phenomenon here: https://share.google/aimode/C431deYE3WA1GTWgo.  

Short discussion on MMFs here: https://share.google/aimode/5ChUDbI5etdkMzZkO.

MMF sets new record: link here.  

Link here.

Warren Buffett Steps Down -- September 18, 2026

Locator: 51753B.

iPhone 18s hit Apple stores today.  

BRK: Warren Buffett steps down. BRK-b drops $10 / share yesterday. Today, stabilizes, flat in pre-market trading. 

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

WTI: $100.60. Hope springs eternal. Briefly below $100 overnight. 

New wells reporting:

• Sunday, September 20, 2026: 44 for the month, 124 for the quarter, 481 for the year,
• 41722, conf, BR, HBU Hazel 4N MBH, 
• Saturday, September 19, 2026: 43 for the month, 123 for the quarter, 480 for the year,
• 42026, conf, Oasis, Milkweed 5302 14-36 3B,
• 41729, conf, BR, HBU Hazel 8S MBH, 
• 41639, conf, BR, HBU Badlands 10S MBH-ULW, 
• Friday, September 18, 2026: 40 for the month, 120 for the quarter, 477 for the year,
• 41721, conf, BR, HBU Hazel 3N MBH, 
• 41638, conf, BR, HBU Badlands 5N TFH-ULW, 

RBN Energy: Enbridge's proposed West Texas Express would move natural gas to El Paso and beyond. Link here. Archived.

Enbridge has launched a non-binding open season for West Texas Express, a 150-mile, 2-Bcf/d pipeline that would move Permian natural gas from the Waha Hub to near El Paso. The proposed pipeline, which is targeted for a 2029 startup, is aimed at meeting local power demand, potentially including data centers, while also providing connectivity to markets in the U.S. Southwest and Mexico. In today’s RBN blog, we’ll discuss what the greenfield pipeline would mean for gas flows in West Texas and beyond. 

First, let’s discuss the proposed line. Enbridge is seeking shipper commitments for West Texas Express (WTX), a 42-inch greenfield intrastate natural gas pipeline (dashed yellow line in Figure 1 below) with receipt points near the Waha Hub and delivery points in the greater El Paso area. The project could also include lateral facilities serving Hudspeth County, TX, and delivery points at the U.S.-Mexico border. The company intends to build infrastructure or a connection point in Hudspeth (green square). According to a statement from Enbridge, WTX can be designed to connect with existing pipeline infrastructure based on customer requirements identified through the open season.