Piling the pressure on US LTO
The country’s production may struggle to return even to its pre-pandemic levels, while growing to new heights seems a distant prospect
The US light tight oil (LTO) industry has been on a heck of a ride over the past decade. Domestic crude production has more than doubled, reaching record levels and stealing substantial market share from Opec and its allies. On the other hand, the competitive threat from rampant US supply has also triggered two oil price wars. And the economic fallout from the second of these and from the Covid-19 pandemic means it will take several years for US LTO production to match the record 9.15mn bl/d set in December 2019, before industry shut-ins and the widescale collapse in drilling activity (see Figures 1 and 2). At worst, US LTO output may have peaked. Troubled industry A wall of cash from bank
Also in this section
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
21 April 2026
As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental realignment, Algihaz Holdings has established itself as a critical player bridging conventional energy markets and the next generation of renewable infrastructure.
21 April 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place from 11-15 October 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.
