Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver; Santos Ships First Alaska Crude

President Donald Trump has extended a waiver of the Jones Act for 90 more days, though with new limits, according to Rigzone. The Jones Act requires cargo shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed vessels. Waivers can affect domestic oil transportation costs and logistics, including potential movements of Bakken crude to other U.S. markets.

In production news, Santos has begun delivering oil from its Pikka development on Alaska's North Slope, Rigzone reported. The first crude cargo is headed to the West Coast for refining. New production from Alaska competes for market share on the West Coast, a potential destination for Bakken crude shipped via pipeline or rail, potentially influencing regional pricing dynamics.

Separately, Brazos Midstream plans to build a new 300 million cubic feet per day cryogenic natural gas processing plant in Glasscock County, Texas, as reported by Rigzone. This expansion will grow the company's total Midland Basin processing capacity to 1.1 billion cubic feet per day. While this development is in the Permian Basin, significant investments in gas processing infrastructure there highlight the ongoing industry focus on handling associated gas, a challenge also relevant to gas-rich areas of the Bakken.

For Bakken operators, these developments underscore the interconnected nature of North American energy markets. Regulatory changes like Jones Act waivers can alter transportation economics, while new production in other basins can affect crude oil competitiveness in shared markets. The continued midstream investment in rival basins also highlights the constant evolution of infrastructure needed to support hydrocarbon production.