Shale starts giving (a little bit) back
Producers are funneling more cash into share buybacks and dividends after months of pressure from shareholders to boost returns
Oil at $60 is making life a lot easier for US shale executives. For months, a debate has swirled around the industry pitting capital discipline, really the ability to deliver better returns to shareholders, against production growth. The uptick in the oil price has allowed executives to offer both to shareholders in the latest round of earnings calls this week. Shale producers have rolled out a raft of new shareholder-friendly measures this week, including billions of dollars in new or accelerated buyback programmes and dividends, while also keeping their foot to the floor on production growth. Diamondback Energy, a premier Permian producer, rolled out a $0.50 per share dividend after announ
Also in this section
27 February 2026
LNG would serve as a backup supply source as domestic gas declines and the country’s energy system comes under stress during periods of low hydropower output and high energy demand
27 February 2026
The assumption that oil markets will re-route and work around sanctions is being tested, and it is the physical infrastructure that is acting as the constraint
27 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress to take place in tandem as part of a coordinated week of high-level ministerial, institutional and industry engagements
27 February 2026
The deepwater sector must be brave by fast-tracking projects and making progress to seize huge offshore opportunities and not become bogged down by capacity constraints and consolidation
