Deals still to be done in US shale patch
Operators including majors have snapped up nearby acreage to leverage synergies at lower cost. But with oil prices higher and discounts potentially fading, will prolific spending slacken?
M&A opportunities in the US shale patch caught the attention of some of the largest players last year as consolidation boomed and large-scale takeovers gained traction. This year, boosted by low acreage prices, recovering WTI and a still financially strained sector, those with the most robust balance sheets may again be tempted to snap up complementary assets. Onshore acreage pricing took a beating in 2020 as WTI went into freefall. Consultancy Rystad Energy estimates that average prices declined by 70pc, dropping from $17,000/acre in 2018 to just $5,000/acre. Less financially strained operators were gifted with ample opportunities to purchase at a discount—as highlighted by acquisitions

Also in this section
29 July 2025
The EU’s Russia sanctions could have far-reaching implications for India’s Vadinar-based refinery
29 July 2025
There is a good strategic case for China to sign a deal for gas supplies via the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, but Beijing’s concerns over over-dependency on a single supplier and desire to drive down the price make it relatively unlikely that a contract will be finalised this year.
29 July 2025
EU industry and politicians are pushing back against the bloc’s green agenda. Meanwhile, Brussels’ transatlantic trade deal with Washington could consolidate US energy dominance.
25 July 2025
KRG, Iraq’s central government and Turkey are all working to get exports flowing from the key port, but complications remain