US shale saw high levels of deal-making in Q2
Public E&Ps splash cash in US shale patch
Bullish gas projections are driving a strong resurgence in M&A activity
Deal-making in the US shale patch achieved its highest quarterly performance in two years in Q2, boosted by several big-name Permian mergers and increased confidence in gas prospects. Gas deals alone comprised 19pc of M&A value across the quarter—the highest share in a year—as the Henry Hub soared to levels not seen since late 2018. The Midland basin in the Permian was the most active play across Q2, with the $6.4bn takeover of Texas-based Doublepoint Energy by US independent Pioneer Natural Resources the main driver. Only the $9.3bn merger between Houston shale operator Cabot Oil & Gas and Denver-based Cimarex Energy topped the Midland deal, and again it had consolidating acreage w
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
