Global Strains, Steady Bakken: Hormuz Blockade Impacts LPG, ND Output Holds

North Dakota's oil and gas production held steady in February, according to the latest data from the state's Department of Mineral Resources. The state produced 1.129 million barrels of oil per day, a slight increase from 1.125 million barrels per day in January. Natural gas production also rose slightly to 3.392 billion cubic feet per day from 3.323 Bcf/d, Bing News reported.

The vast majority of the state's output, 96.2%, continues to come from the Bakken and Three Forks formations. The active rig count in North Dakota was 26 as of April 21, up by one since March. Across the wider Williston Basin, 28 rigs were working. McKenzie County remains the top-producing county, accounting for 32% of the state's oil production alongside Williams, Dunn, Mountrail, and Divide counties.

Well completion activity showed a recent dip, with 55 wells completed in March, compared to 60 in February and 63 in January. The total number of producing wells, however, increased by 171 month-over-month to reach 19,625, just below the all-time high set in October 2025. The state's top producers for 2026 are led by Chord Energy (18.5%), Continental Resources (15.2%), and ConocoPhillips (13.3%).

On the Fort Berthold Reservation, production increased 2.9% in February to 146,829 barrels of oil, with one rig operating. The statewide gas capture rate improved, increasing to 95.8% in February, while the volume of gas flared decreased by 21.1 million cubic feet per day to 136.5 MMcf/d.

Globally, energy supply chains are facing new disruptions. According to OilPrice.com, the first India-bound liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker since the start of a U.S. blockade cleared the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. The U.S. implemented the blockade in the Gulf of Oman in mid-April to prevent Iranian oil exports. The Strait is a critical chokepoint, with 90% of India's LPG imports passing through it.

The MT Sarv Shakti, chartered by Indian Oil Corporation, passed through the strait on Saturday and is headed for India, helping to ease a supply crisis that has forced the country to ration LPG for industrial users. In response to the Middle East turmoil, India has boosted imports from other regions, including record volumes from the United States.

In other global energy development news, TotalEnergies and a local partner have launched construction on a major 440-megawatt solar power plant in the northern Philippines, Rigzone reported.