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BAKKEN WIRE
The Afternoon Take - Energy Market Briefing
Global Markets

Energy Market Briefing

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·
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Energy Market Briefing - Bakken Wire Friday, May 22, 2026

1. Headlines

Oil prices are holding firm today. WTI settled at $96.84, with Brent reaching $103.71. The primary driver remains geopolitical risk from the ongoing Iran war, with Reuters noting the benchmark has increased 44.1% since the conflict began in late February. The EIA reported a significant draw of nearly 8 million barrels from U.S. commercial crude stocks this week, a fundamental data point supporting prices.

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