Permian to retain US deal-making lead
A Q4 M&A upswing proved there are still consolidation opportunities and the Texas/New Mexico basin will remain the hotspot
Most US oil and gas corporate transactions focused on the Permian basin over the past year, and this trajectory looks unlikely to change in 2021. In a still relatively subdued oil price environment, companies will likely continue targeting cost synergies and high-quality inventory when considering possible takeovers or mergers. Volatile market conditions triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on E&P consolidation across the US shale patch. Last year, corporate deals fell to their lowest aggregate since at least 2006 and slumped to their worst combined valuation in five years, at just $52bn. But across improving economic conditions in the final two quarters, transactions
Also in this section
5 August 2025
After failed attempts to find a buyer for its stake in Russia’s largest oil producer, BP may be able to avoid the harsh treatment meted out to ExxonMobil and Shell when they exited—and could even restart operations if geopolitical conditions improve
1 August 2025
A number of companies have filed arbitration claims against Gazprom over non-deliveries of contracted gas or other matters—and won. The next step is to collect the award, but this is no easy task
1 August 2025
Europe’s refining sector is desperately trying to adapt to a shifting global energy landscape and nowhere is this more apparent than in its largest economy
1 August 2025
The Middle East natural gas playbook is being rewritten. The fuel source offers the region a pathway to a cleaner, sustainable and affordable means of local power, to fasttrack economic development and as a lucrative opportunity to better monetise its energy resources.
