This month’s Oil and Gas Investor features Harold Hamm, recipient of Hart Energy’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Hamm, founder and executive chairman of Continental Resources, spearheaded development of the Bakken Shale and has made his larger-than-life presence felt in the oil field, his community and in the political sphere. He is still a wildcatter who urges the industry to “never quit exploring.”
Also this month, OGI editors explore the play where Hamm first made his mark, the Bakken Shale, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the first stimulated horizontal in the Middle Bakken. Our editors also dug into the state of U.S. critical minerals collection and processing and its prospects for competing against China; spoke with Ron Gusek, the new CEO of Liberty Energy who stepped in when his predecessor, Chris Wright, became secretary of energy; and examined Kimmeridge Texas Gas’ goals to double its Gulf Coast production.
This month, OGI presents Minerals & Royalties Report, an annual look at a sector of the industry that is now engaged in extreme consolidation. Our editors explored the draw of white spaces, interviewed Sitio Royalties CEO Chris Conoscenti and chronicled the growth of Post Oak Energy Capital in the minerals space.
Features
Lifetime Achievement Award: Harold Hamm is Still Wildcatting After All These Years
As the founder and chairman of Continental Resources reflects on 25 years of Bakken horizontal development, he urges his fellow U.S. producers to “never quit exploring.”
After 25 Years, E&Ps Sustain Bakken Oil’s Long Plateau
The first horizontal middle Bakken well came online a quarter-century ago, proving horizontal drilling and fracking could unlock vast oil reserves. What began as a modest experiment in a remote Montana field reshaped the future of U.S. oil production.
A Critical Time in the Critical Minerals Space
The Trump administration is trying to position direct lithium extraction, deep-sea mining and battery materials-focused companies to grow domestic resources and loosen China’s grip on the global supply chain.
Kimmeridge Aims for 1 Bcf/d Via Bits and Bids, Including Haynesville
Kimmeridge Texas Gas expects to be producing nearly as much gas as its 1.3 Bcf/d Commonwealth LNG plant will export when it comes online in 2029.
TotalEnergies, Equinor Tie Growth to M&A
From the Eagle Ford to Appalachia, European energy firms are leveraging shale gas assets to secure their future global supply.
Ron Gusek Believes in ‘Transformative Opportunities’
Liberty Energy’s CEO has thrived in uncertain times before and is confident about his company’s position.
The Small Firm with Tremendous Growth
U.S. Energy Development Corp.’s Jordan Jayson is a fan of learning from others’ successes.