Bakken faces inventory concerns
The North Dakota shale basin nears a looming acreage problem
Forecasters see the Bakken shale delivering growth in 2023, and the basin remains a cash cow for its operators. But it also sits on the cusp of migration away from its sweetest spots. The Bakken is expected to contribute to growth of c.140,000bl/d, according to Ryan Duman, research director for the Lower 48 upstream at consultancy Wood Mackenzie. “While it cannot deliver the same magnitude of increases that we expect from West Texas, the Bakken remains an important contributor to the overall US supply picture,” he says. Research firm Enverus is less bullish, predicting year-on-year Bakken growth of 50,000bl/d. “For the Bakken, the primary tailwind for producers of late has been an improvemen
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation






