Global refinery and shipping disruptions are tightening gasoline, diesel and jet fuel supplies, driving refined product prices significantly faster than crude oil. North American oilfield operators and service companies could continue facing elevated fuel and transportation costs even if crude prices retreat.
Devon Energy and WhiteWater have reached FID on the Solitude Pipeline System, which is planned to provide up to 4.5 Bcf/d of natural gas transportation capacity from the Permian Basin to Katy, Texas. Initial service is expected in the second half of 2029, followed by an additional 2.25 Bcf/d of capacity in 2030.
Patterson-UTI’s Permian Basin activity shows 1,189 wells drilled across 56 rigs YTD, with roughly 71% of activity concentrated in New Mexico and the balance in Texas. Mewbourne, Chevron, and Matador account for about 76% of the wells, while most Patterson rigs appear dedicated to a single operator.
The Eagle Ford is showing strong momentum, with 184 permits issued in the last 60 days—an annualized pace more than 2× the trailing 12-month rate—alongside 59 active rigs and 665 wells drilled in 2026. For oilfield sales teams, the data helps shift prospecting from simply finding operators to prioritizing the accounts showing the strongest signals of current and future activity.
Brent reached $87.97 per barrel and WTI climbed to $82.16 as an extended U.S. naval blockade of Iran increased concerns about global crude supplies. Reduced Strait of Hormuz traffic, attacks on ADNOC vessels and disruption risks at Russia’s Ust-Luga export hub are keeping geopolitical supply concerns elevated.
ConocoPhillips has started production from its approximately $800 million Coyote 3SX development in Alaska’s Kuparuk River Unit, with gross peak output expected to reach 12,000 barrels per day. OilGasLeads data shows 81 Alaska wells spud in 2026, including 25 associated with ConocoPhillips, highlighting continued upstream activity across the state.
The latest U.S. Gulf oil and gas lease sale generated $82.7 million in high bids, while drilling data shows 84 well records across 15 operators, led by Shell and Chevron. Mississippi Canyon, Green Canyon, and Walker Ridge account for 50% of the drilling activity, highlighting key areas for offshore oilfield service opportunities.
U.S. marketed natural gas production is forecast to reach a record 122.5 Bcf/d in 2026, with the Permian and Haynesville providing major sources of growth. OilGasLeads YTD data identifies 7,435 gas-related wells drilled, including 3,519 in the Permian, with Exxon (XTO), Devon Energy and OXY USA leading operator activity.
U.S. operators across multiple mature oil and gas regions issued their first new well permits in at least 12 months, signaling renewed investment from conventional producers, shale operators and infrastructure companies. The activity highlights the geographic and operational diversity supporting North America’s position as a secure and flexible source of energy supply.
Phillips 66, Kinder Morgan and HF Sinclair have approved the $5 billion Western Gateway Pipeline, a 1,300-mile system designed to transport up to 230,000 barrels per day of refined products to western U.S. markets. The project includes approximately 900 miles of new pipeline from Borger, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, with completion targeted for 2029.
