Permian on the rebound
Extreme market volatility is subsiding, tempting operators to acquire promising assets and lift production
The Permian basin is rallying after a sluggish year. Oil production is rising and the basin is seeing a sizeable chunk of the shale patch consolidation that has been playing out across the industry over the past year. The recovery is being tempered somewhat by increased discipline among producers and by uncertainty over the future of drilling on federal land. But the fact that production is picking up despite these constraints illustrates the basin’s resilience. The Permian dominates US domestic oil production. And given this status, it is unsurprising that recent M&A—though not all—has been concentrated on the basin. Leading the way, Texas-based independent Pioneer Natural Resources com
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
