ND Court Blocks Greenpeace Dutch Suit; Iran War Sparks Export Ban Push

The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Greenpeace International cannot relitigate a defamation case in the Netherlands that was already decided by a state jury last year. According to Courthousenews.com, the 4-1 decision reversed a lower court and grants Energy Transfer an antisuit injunction, preventing Greenpeace from seeking a Dutch declaration that the North Dakota verdict was "manifestly unfounded and abusive." The jury had found Greenpeace liable for defamation related to Dakota Access Pipeline protests and awarded Energy Transfer hundreds of millions in damages.

The court stated the Dutch complaint directly challenged issues the jury resolved, undermining the domestic judicial process. The ruling pertains to protests against the 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline, which transports up to 750,000 barrels of oil daily from North Dakota's shale fields to Illinois. The court noted the decision does not foreclose all related Greenpeace litigation in the Netherlands.

Separately, escalating U.S.-Iran tensions are fueling calls for a ban on U.S. crude exports. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) introduced the "Stop Oil Exports to Lower Gas Prices Act" on Thursday, according to Rigzone. The bill seeks a moratorium on exports of crude, gasoline, and diesel during the war with Iran to increase domestic supply and lower consumer fuel prices. Sherman's office stated that redirecting oil currently sent to Europe and Asia would reduce domestic prices.

The bill proposes the ban remain until the President certifies military operations against Iran have ceased and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open. It includes limited exceptions for crude that cannot be efficiently refined domestically. The push comes as the Energy Information Administration reported U.S. regular gasoline prices averaged $4.452 a gallon for the week ending May 4, up $1.305 from a year ago. Diesel prices averaged $5.64 per gallon, a $2.143 year-on-year increase.

Geopolitical risks intensified Friday as the U.S. gave Iran a deadline to respond to a peace proposal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran "should" give an answer Friday, Rigzone reported. The proposal aims to end a war that has sent energy prices soaring. Overnight, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on two empty Iranian tankers attempting to break a blockade, and Iran reported a cargo vessel was hit, injuring 10 sailors. The United Arab Emirates also said it was targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.

For Bakken operators, the legal victory provides certainty against activist litigation targeting critical infrastructure. However, the proposed export moratorium represents a direct market threat, potentially stranding crude from the prolific formation that relies on pipeline networks like the Dakota Access to reach domestic and international markets. The ongoing war and associated price volatility underscore the global market's sensitivity to Middle East supply disruptions.