Permian on the rebound
Extreme market volatility is subsiding, tempting operators to acquire promising assets and lift production
The Permian basin is rallying after a sluggish year. Oil production is rising and the basin is seeing a sizeable chunk of the shale patch consolidation that has been playing out across the industry over the past year. The recovery is being tempered somewhat by increased discipline among producers and by uncertainty over the future of drilling on federal land. But the fact that production is picking up despite these constraints illustrates the basin’s resilience. The Permian dominates US domestic oil production. And given this status, it is unsurprising that recent M&A—though not all—has been concentrated on the basin. Leading the way, Texas-based independent Pioneer Natural Resources com
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
