Drilling in the Permian
Permian leads the shale charge
Output is creeping up in the US but still faces a tough task in rebounding to pre-Covid levels
Shale production in the Lower 48 US states is poised to recover significantly in 2021, buoyed by WTI above $50/bl and rising energy demand. But set against cautious capex, limited well completions and regulatory headwinds, crude output will still fall considerably short of pre-Covid volumes and could be pushed further off course if a number of factors coalesce to bring more non-US barrels to the market or dent post-Covid energy demand. The Permian basin will be the key driver of US shale production and the only region likely to approach full recovery. The basin faced steep output declines last year—the highest in absolute terms but among the lowest proportionally, highlighting its importance
Also in this section
23 January 2025
The end of transit, though widely anticipated, leaves Europe paying a third more for gas than a year ago and greatly exposed to supply shocks
23 January 2025
The country’s government and E&P companies are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to increase domestic crude output as BP–ONGC tie-up leads the way
22 January 2025
The return of Donald Trump gives further evidence of ‘big oil’ as an investable asset, with the only question being whether anyone is really surprised
21 January 2025
The new president must put his cards on the table and tell the American people, and the world, if the US is formally abandoning the energy transition
