Capital markets have started to return to US shale
IPO highlights investors’ US shale hesitancy
Vine Energy’s financing efforts reveal lingering public market doubts despite healthy prospects for gas
Last week’s initial public offering by US gas producer Vine Energy may have been the first of its kind in the shale patch for over four years. But it also served as an important litmus test for onshore investor confidence. The Haynesville pure-play producer, backed by private equity firm Blackstone, successfully raised $301mn through the sale of 21.5mn shares priced at $14 each. But the share price fell below the expected $16-19 range, forcing the company to offload another 2.8mn shares to break through the $300mn ceiling. “The somewhat muted interest shows investors are still cautious of the risks involved and focused on free cash flow (FCF), meaning other privates looking to an IPO, especi
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
