From its experimental beginnings to its role in America’s energy independence, the Bakken story is one of persistence, innovation, and scale. Today, the basin continues to set benchmarks for drilling efficiency and technological advancement, with leading operators, counties, and contractors driving its growth.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is moving forward with one of its largest workforce reductions in recent memory, announcing plans to cut 20%–25% of its global staff by year-end 2025. With approximately 13,000 employees worldwide, the move is expected to impact 2,600 to 3,250 positions, according to multiple reports.
Diamondback Energy is moving quickly to integrate its recently acquired Double Eagle IV assets, with new regulatory filings and well activity signaling a concentrated development push in Reagan County, Texas.
The U.S. drilling landscape continues to show signs of strain as the Baker Hughes rig count slipped by two last week, leaving 536 rigs active nationwide.
Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) has announced a non-binding open season for its proposed Forza Pipeline Project, designed to expand natural gas transportation capacity in the Delaware Basin (Southeast New Mexico).
Haynesville Wells Drilled Market Intelligence is a curated dataset of oil & gas wells drilled in the Haynesville last 12 months.
Between 2020 and 2024, 93% of U.S. crude oil growth came from just 10 counties in the Permian Basin, led by Lea and Eddy in New Mexico and Martin and Midland in Texas. Year-to-date drilling reinforces this trend, with Eddy and Lea surpassing 1,300 wells drilled and major operators like Exxon, Diamondback, and OXY dominating activity.
Diamondback Energy announced two major Midland Basin transactions today: the $750M sale of Environmental Disposal Systems to Deep Blue, nearly doubling Deep Blue’s water infrastructure scale, and the $500M sale of its 27.5% stake in EPIC Crude Holdings to Plains All American Pipeline. Together, the moves highlight Diamondback’s strategy of recycling midstream capital while reinforcing its long-term focus on Permian development and sustainable water management.
Dell’Osso highlighted the resilience of U.S. natural gas demand, driven by LNG exports, data center growth, and AI-powered electricity needs, which together are expected to add 5 Bcf/d of incremental demand before the end of the decade.
Coterra Energy is positioned for resilience in oil & gas cycles, with balanced production and diversified assets. Jorden sees near-term oil price risk to the downside, making gas infrastructure and in-basin consumption (like data centers) increasingly important. Key challenges ahead include water management, regulatory reform, and sustaining operational excellence while navigating market volatility.
