Drilling in the Permian
Permian leads the shale charge
Output is creeping up in the US but still faces a tough task in rebounding to pre-Covid levels
Shale production in the Lower 48 US states is poised to recover significantly in 2021, buoyed by WTI above $50/bl and rising energy demand. But set against cautious capex, limited well completions and regulatory headwinds, crude output will still fall considerably short of pre-Covid volumes and could be pushed further off course if a number of factors coalesce to bring more non-US barrels to the market or dent post-Covid energy demand. The Permian basin will be the key driver of US shale production and the only region likely to approach full recovery. The basin faced steep output declines last year—the highest in absolute terms but among the lowest proportionally, highlighting its importance
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
