Oil, Iron, and the Red River Valley: 75 Years of North Dakota Dominance (4-8-26)

Host Scott Hennen returns to the studio after an Easter break in New York City to a world in flux. From the "incredible effort" of the U.S. military in Iran to a massive milestone at home, this episode explores how global security is inextricably linked to North Dakota soil. As President Trump’s Operation Epic Fury nears a critical pivot point with a two-week ceasefire, General Dan Kane joins the program to provide a startling laundry list of the Iranian regime's dismantled capabilities—including 150 ships now sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Back on the home front, the team celebrates the 75th anniversary of the discovery of oil in North Dakota. Industry legends Ron Ness, Kathy Neset, and Lynn Helms join the show to look back at the 1951 Clarence Iverson discovery and explain how "cracking the code" in the Bakken transformed oil from a local resource into a global weapon of peace. Plus, a deep dive into the "glass break" federal budget crisis with David Fisher and a preview of the upcoming Landowner Association battle against "swamp monster" federal easements. Standout Moments & Timestamps [00:02:18] The Epilogue of Epic Fury – General Dan Kane details the decimation of Iran’s military, reporting that 90% of their regular fleet and 80% of their nuclear industrial base have been destroyed in just 38 days. [00:07:35] The $85 Sweet Spot – Ron Ness of the ND Petroleum Council breaks down why oil retailers hate high gas prices and where the "stable" price per barrel needs to settle for the Bakken to thrive. [00:11:45] Bakken 2.0 & Reclaiming the 85% – A technical look at the future of extraction; Ron Ness explains the $145 million effort to supercharge existing wells and recover the massive oil reserves still left in the rock. [00:15:55] From Jersey to the Oil Patch – Kathy Neset, the "Godmother of the Bakken," shares the history of the 1951 discovery and the evolution from vertical wells to 4-mile "U-shaped" horizontal bores. [00:22:15] The Dagwood Sandwich of Geology – Lynn Helms uses a brilliant sandwich analogy to explain core sampling and how North Dakota’s 1% dry-hole rate today compares to the risky "wildcatter" days of the 50s. [00:26:45] The Moral High Ground – White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt shuts down a reporter’s question regarding the President’s rhetoric on "destroying Iranian civilization." [00:30:45] The "Glass Break" Report – David Fisher of Landmark…

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Oil, Iron, and the Red River Valley: 75 Years of North Dakota Dominance (4-8-26) is an episode from What's On Your Mind by The Flag - AM 1100 and FM 92.3.

This episode is 01:53:54 long.

This episode was published on Apr 8, 2026.

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