Oil Prices Hold Steady at Elevated Levels Amid Market Pause
WTI crude holds above $87 as Bakken differential narrows slightly, providing stable pricing for North Dakota producers.
Oil prices were flat in quiet Sunday trading, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude holding firm at $87.36 per barrel, according to live market data. The international benchmark Brent crude was also unchanged at $91.12. The stability follows a period of significant price gains driven by tightening global supplies and robust demand.
The Bakken crude differential to WTI benchmark prices was recorded at -$3.42 per barrel. This means Bakken-grade crude is priced at approximately $83.94 per barrel at the wellhead, providing a strong revenue environment for operators in the Williston Basin. The slight narrowing of the discount from recent weeks improves netbacks for local producers.
Natural gas prices also held steady at $3.29 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). While not a primary driver for most Bakken operators focused on oil, sustained natural gas prices above $3 support the economics of associated gas production and help mitigate flaring concerns in the region.
The current price stability reflects a market pause after a strong rally. Prices are being supported by ongoing supply management from major producing nations and firm seasonal demand. For Bakken operators, prices solidly above $80 per barrel represent a highly profitable operating environment, enabling continued drilling and completion activity, as well as shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks.
The elevated price level is a net positive for North Dakota's oil output and state tax revenues. With Bakken wellhead prices near $84, even marginal wells remain economic, supporting production and employment across the state's oil-producing counties. The steady differential also reduces pricing uncertainty for producers when hedging their production.
Source
Live price data for WTI, Brent, Natural Gas, and Bakken Differential as of May 31, 2026.
