Markets on the rise
The oil-price recovery has helped to improve the outlook for oil and gas capital markets
Capital raised by oil and gas companies reached $530bn in 2017. Although a partial recovery from 2016's nadir, this remains low compared to recent historical levels and is around 70% off the peak we saw in 2014. In 2017, all sources of capital—loans, bonds and equity—came in at lower than the five-year average. While access to capital has undoubtedly improved, a host of other factors are also at play. Internal cash generation has recovered along with commodity prices. In parallel, capital discipline and efficiency measures have reduced the sector's capital intensity to some extent, and alternative sources of capital such as forward sales or divestments to private equity are also increasingly
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
