Oil firms back in the black
Investors want to see oil companies striving for value rather than volume in the year ahead
This year's progressive rise in worldwide oil and gas mergers and acquisitions activity has built on 2016's recovery from the depths of the 2015 oil-price crash. The industry as a whole has shown increased discipline as oil prices have more than doubled since their early-2016 nadir. Companies are broadly aiming to be cash-positive at prices over $50 a barrel, targeting returns in the mid-teens for new projects and over 20% for brownfield expansion and consolidation projects. The mood is one of "cautious optimism", according to Wood MacKenzie corporate analyst Tom Ellacott. "I don't think you're going to see a surge of investment next year," he says. "You may see a small improvement." Investo
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
