Letter from the US: Chesapeake-Southwestern merger is big deal for US LNG
The combination of the two independents will show the benefits of both size and methane reduction efforts
Analysts have lauded the announced combination of US independents Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy for the deal’s benefits to shareholders. Less attention has been given to the potential ramifications for US LNG, which will likely include more mergers of gas producers and—particularly in light of the Biden administration’s pause on new LNG facility approvals—a push towards producing gas with a much lower carbon footprint. The merger comes amid a wave of multibillion dollar oil industry tie-ups, including ExxonMobil buying Texas-headquartered Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron buying New York-headquartered Hess. These acquisitions bolster the acquirors’ drilling inventories and offer cos
Also in this section
9 January 2026
OPEC+ remains on track as output falls, with only Gabon failing to hit its output targets in December, although Kazakhstan’s compliance was involuntary
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
