Priced out of the Permian
M&A has slowed in the US' hottest shale basin as investors look elsewhere for cheaper growth opportunities
Permania in the mergers and acquisitions market is finally cooling off. The world's fastest growing oilfield was also the hottest market for mergers and acquisitions, racking up more than 200 deals worth around $50bn over the past two years as companies jockeyed for prime positions in the play. The frenzy of M&A deals has reshaped the landscape in the Permian. ExxonMobil spent close to $6bn buying the Bass family's drilling rights to cement its position as one of the play's largest acreage holders in the single biggest Permian shale deal. But the surge in deals was fuelled mostly by smaller shale-focused independents like Concho Resources, QEP and others. Some were looking for a foothold

Also in this section
4 March 2025
The US and Canada are boosting capacity builds for renewable diesel and biofuels, while Central and South American countries are investing heavily to upgrade and expand their domestic refining sectors
4 March 2025
EU net-zero polices have shifted refining investment among member states, while across the region countries and companies continue to adjust to changes in trade flows caused by the war in Ukraine
4 March 2025
Gas auctions underperform, signalling a slow start to 2025 after bumper 2024
3 March 2025
The Middle East is focusing on modernisation and expansion projects, while Africa is seeking to reduce its imports of refined products