Desperation fuels Canadian M&A activity
Offloadings accelerate as many domestic oil firms struggle to stave off bankruptcy
M&A activity is picking up in the Canadian oil patch following a dearth of deals in the first half of the year, driven to some degree by the dire financial straits in which many of the country’s small to medium-sized oil and gas companies find themselves. Funding options, whether debt or equity, have largely dried up for these firms after a six-year downturn in Western Canada, culminating in the Covid-assisted oil price depression. In contrast, large producers—including oil sands heavyweights Suncor Energy and Canadian Natural Resources (CNRL)—continue to have no trouble tapping debt markets, and at reasonable rates. In an attempt to avoid bankruptcy, smaller Canadian oil and gas compan
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
