Hormuz Standoff Continues, EIV Raises $1.1B, Helix-Hornbeck Merger Set
Global tensions support oil prices as private equity targets midstream and offshore services consolidate.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remained high with no peace talks in sight, according to Rigzone, helping extend a rally in oil prices. The critical waterway has been effectively shut for an eighth straight week, exacerbating global supply concerns. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot any boat placing mines in the strait, and U.S. forces boarded a sanctioned vessel transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. About a fifth of the world's oil shipments typically pass through Hormuz.
Separately, private equity firm EIV Capital LLC said Thursday it raised approximately $1.1 billion to launch two new oil and gas investment funds, according to a Rigzone report. One fund, EIV Capital Fund V LP, will focus on energy infrastructure investments, including gathering, processing, and transportation. Managing partner David Finan said the fund addresses a "growing need for last-mile solutions for natural gas and power." The other fund, EIV Resources II LP, will acquire non-operating stakes in U.S. wells.
In other news, offshore services companies Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. and Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. have agreed to combine in an all-stock transaction, Rigzone reported. The merger, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will create a larger entity focused on subsea and marine transportation solutions. The companies anticipate over $75 million in annual synergies within three years.
Implications for the Bakken The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz underpins global crude prices, a positive for Bakken producers who sell into that market. However, the geopolitical risk adds volatility. The significant capital raise by EIV Capital signals continued investor interest in North American energy infrastructure, which could benefit Bakken midstream projects needing funding for expansion or optimization.
The focus of EIV's Resources II fund on non-operating working interests and royalties indicates a ready pool of capital for Bakken operators looking to monetize non-core assets or for mineral owners. The Hornbeck-Helix merger reflects consolidation in the offshore service sector, a trend less directly impactful on the onshore Bakken but indicative of a broader industry focus on scale and efficiency.
Source
According to reporting by Rigzone.
