Chevron, Cheniere Executives Join DOE Advisory Board; BP, Conoco Finalize Iraq Deal
Bakken operators Chevron and ConocoPhillips engage in high-level energy policy and international expansion.
Two major companies with significant Bakken operations, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, were involved in separate corporate announcements on July 17, 2026, according to reports from Rigzone.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced newly appointed members of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB), which will include a representative from Chevron, according to Rigzone. The SEAB provides independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on science, energy, and security policy. Chevron is a leading operator in the Williston Basin's Bakken formation.
In a separate development also reported by Rigzone, BP said ConocoPhillips will acquire 42 percent of its stake in a venture redeveloping Iraq's giant Kirkuk oil fields. This partnership in one of Iraq's oldest oilfields marks a significant international investment by ConocoPhillips, another key Bakken producer.
For Bakken operators and stakeholders, these moves underscore the dual focus of major players: influencing domestic energy policy and securing international growth opportunities. Chevron's seat on the DOE advisory board places a voice with direct Bakken experience into high-level policy discussions in Washington, D.C. These discussions can impact regulations, research funding, and strategic priorities that affect the entire oil and gas sector, including operations in North Dakota.
ConocoPhillips' expansion into the Kirkuk redevelopment project demonstrates the company's strategy to deploy capital and expertise into large-scale international assets. While this investment is geographically distant from the Bakken, it reflects the global portfolio management of a company that remains a top-tier producer in the Williston Basin. Major operators often balance domestic shale production with international conventional projects to diversify risk and secure long-term reserves.
The announcements highlight that the largest Bakken operators are actively engaged in shaping the broader energy landscape beyond the well pad, through both policy channels and global joint ventures.
Source
Rigzone (July 17, 2026)
