WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
The Midday Take - Energy Market Briefing
Global Markets

Energy Market Briefing

Bakken Wire Staff·🔆Midday Wire·
Listen
0:00 / 3:33

DAILY ENERGY BRIEFING April 18, 2026

1. HEADLINES Oil markets are in chaos this morning following a stunning reversal on the Strait of Hormuz. After plunging nearly 10% yesterday on news from Iran's Foreign Minister that the strait was "completely open," prices are poised for a violent reversal. According to a report from OilPrice.com, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared Saturday that control of the strait has "returned to its previous state," effectively re-closing it. This directly contradicts President Trump's claim that the waterway was "FULLY OPEN." Ship tracking data shows minimal traffic, with reports of tankers turning back.

Create a free account to continue reading

Sign up for free to get full access to Bakken Wire's daily energy market analysis, audio briefings, and more.

Create Free Account

Already have an account? Sign in

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

The Afternoon Take - Energy Market Briefing
Global Markets

Energy Market Briefing

Afternoon Energy Market Briefing | Sunday, August 23, 2026 1. Headlines Oil prices are flat in Sunday trading, with WTI at $87.06 and Brent at $94.39. The Bakken differential to WTI is holding steady at -$3.42. Natural gas is at $2.81. Rig activity in the monitoring area is unchanged, with 34 active rigs. The main reported developments are geopolitical and operational. According to Rigzone, crude prices have been rallying as Asian demand strengthens and the conflict with Iran continues to constrain global supplies. In a related development, the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency reports that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged an end to the war while refusing to call defeat. Elsewhere, ExxonMobil is warning of a looming production decline at Kazakhstan's top oilfield, Tengiz, and is seeking to invest billions to cushion the slide at the nearby Kashagan development. U.S. refiners are also reportedly facing a looming supply drop...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Aug 23
The Midday Take - Energy Market Briefing
Global Markets

Energy Market Briefing

Daily Energy Market Briefing Sunday, August 23, 2026 1. Headlines Oil prices are ticking higher today, with Brent Crude up 0.65% to $94.39 and WTI gaining 0.26% to $87.06. The Bakken differential stands at -$3.42 versus WTI. Headlines are focused on geopolitical tensions and supply constraints. According to Rigzone, crude has extended its rally as Asian demand strengthens while the conflict with Iran continues to constrain global supplies. A separate Rigzone article notes that U.S. refiners are facing a looming supply drop from their biggest foreign crude supplier at a critical time. Other significant reports include a major equipment shortage. OilPrice.com details that lead times for heavy-duty gas turbines from major manufacturers like GE Vernova now stretch to 2031, creating a severe bottleneck for new power generation projects, particularly for the booming data center industry. 2. What's Really Happening The market is holding steady at elevated levels, but today's price...

🔆Midday Wire·Aug 23
The Morning Take - Energy Market Briefing
Global Markets

Energy Market Briefing

Energy Market Briefing for Bakken Wire Sunday, August 23, 2026 1. Headlines Oil prices are higher this morning, with Brent crude leading gains. WTI is up 0.26% to $87.06, while Brent rose 0.65% to $94.39. The price strength is being attributed by financial press to ongoing tensions from the U.S. war with Iran, which are seen as constraining global supplies, and to strengthening Asian demand (Rigzone). The Bakken differential to WTI stands at -$3.42. The North Dakota oil sector shows clear positive momentum from higher prices. According to data released this past Thursday, August 20, the state's oil production averaged 1.153 million barrels per day in June, a 2.5% increase from May and slightly above the state's revenue forecast (Bing News). The active rig count has jumped from 26 in mid-July to 33 as of this past week, with five new operators entering the basin. State officials note the June...

☀️Morning Wire·Aug 23