Canadian producers riding another M&A wave
Low debts levels and the advantages of larger companies among the reasons for the rise in activity
The Canadian oil patch has seen a significant jump in M&A activity this year, nearing levels seen during the Covid pandemic, but for very different reasons. And assuming relatively strong oil, gas and equity prices continue, activity is expected to remain at heightened levels for the foreseeable future, although deals involving unconventional resource plays should gain precedence over the oil sands. “A number of factors have been driving the recent uptick in M&A activity in the Canadian oil patch,” Scott Barron, head of Calgary investment banking for TD Securities, told Petroleum Economist. “Higher oil and gas prices have been positive for revenues and cash flow, contributing to extr
Also in this section
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
4 March 2026
The US president has repeatedly promised to lower gasoline prices, but this ambition conflicts with his parallel aim to increase drilling and could be upended by his war against Iran
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat
3 March 2026
The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes marks the most serious escalation in the region in decades and a bigger potential threat to the oil market than the start of the Russia-Ukraine crisis






