Hormuz Strait Reopens Then Faces New Shutdown, Roiling Oil Prices

Oil markets experienced extreme volatility Friday and into Saturday after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz "completely open" before reportedly moving to shut it down again, according to separate wire reports. The price swings have direct implications for Bakken crude pricing and operator revenues.

On Friday, April 17, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the critical waterway was open for commercial traffic, a move tied to a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, according to Rigzone. The announcement sent oil prices plunging, with Brent crude falling more than 11% to around $88 a barrel.

However, by Saturday, April 18, the situation appeared to reverse sharply. OilPrice.com reported that Iran has turned back at least 20 vessels and declared the strait closed, citing a failure by the U.S. to uphold ceasefire commitments. The report states total disruptions now involve more than 20 tankers, with merchant vessels receiving radio warnings from Iranian naval forces.

The conflicting reports create significant uncertainty for global oil flows. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for seaborne crude, and any prolonged disruption risks supply shocks. OilPrice.com noted that the recent sharp selloff in prices "may prove short-lived if physical constraints persist."

Permian Land Company Files for IPO In separate industry news, EagleRock Land LLC filed for an initial public offering on Thursday, according to a separate Rigzone report. The Houston-based company owns or controls 236,000 acres across the Permian Basin and holds an interest in another 70,000 acres.

EagleRock reported a net loss of $73.1 million on revenue of $72.2 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025. The company stated it plans to use IPO proceeds to repay debt and fund operations and land acquisitions. Its revenue comes from royalties and leases with major oil and gas operators drilling on its land, including Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, and Diamondback Energy.

The filing indicates the company hopes to attract additional development from data centers, renewable energy projects, and other industrial uses to its land portfolio. The offering is being led by Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and JPMorgan Chase.

Context for the Bakken The rapid shift in Middle East tensions underscores the geopolitical risks embedded in global oil prices. For Bakken producers, who price their crude against international benchmarks, such volatility can swiftly alter cash flow and hedging strategies. The potential for a sustained supply disruption could provide price support, but the current contradictory reports make near-term direction difficult to assess.

The EagleRock IPO filing highlights continued investor interest in oil and gas adjacent land and royalty platforms, a model with parallels to mineral and surface ownership in the Williston Basin.