Japex plans US shale investments
Japanese explorer sees opportunities to expand its footprint
Japanese state-backed oil producer Japex plans to invest around $500mn over 2022-24 to develop shale oil in the southern US. The funds will go towards both the company’s existing asset in Texas “and interests to be acquired later this year”. “Acquisition of new overseas oil and gas interests” is one of Japex’s “key priorities”, the company said in its 2022-30 management plan, published in March. And for those acquisitions, “shale formation development in North America is a priority focus area”, the company now confirms, arguing such acquisitions will be cash-generative “early” and that the company “can leverage our experience and expertise in this area”. The Japanese firm has held a stake in
Also in this section
5 December 2025
Mistaken assumptions around an oil bull run that never happened are a warning over the talk of a supply glut
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026






