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
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”
