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
15 May 2025
Financial problems, lack of exploration success and political dogma cause uncertainty across much of the region
14 May 2025
The invisible hand of the market has seen increasing transparency but much more needs to be done to build a better understanding
13 May 2025
A fall in Venezuelan output drives overall production lower, as Saudi Arabia starts to slowly bring more crude to the market
12 May 2025
With the gas industry’s staunchest advocates and opponents taking brutal blows, the sector looks like treading a path of insipid indifference
