Buy now
Transactions defied low oil prices, as investors bet on long-term economics
The pull of the Permian unleashed the big money in a burst of M&A action in 2017. Just three deals in the first quarter alone—ExxonMobil's acquisition of Bass Brothers' properties in the Delaware Basin for $5.6bn, Noble Energy's $3.2bn buy-out of Clayton Williams and Parsley Energy's $2.8bn grab of Double Eagle Energy's acreage, all in the Permian—accounted for the lion's share of asset-buying as the industry raced for promising acreage. During those three hectic months, M&A in the Permian accounted for $17bn by value, a record. "Buyers were clearly scrambling to get their hands on what they could in the best tight oil play in the world before all opportunities got taken up," wrote M
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
