Viper Energy's deal, comprised of cash and equity, secures an additional 2,800 net royalty acres in the Midland Basin and 1,800 in the Delaware Basin. Viper Energy Partners LP, a Diamondback Energy Inc. subsidiary, has inked a deal to acquire mineral and royalty interests in the Permian Basin. The deal, valued at around $1 billion, is with Warwick Capital Partners and GRP Energy Capital. Viper was established by Diamondback with the purpose of owning, purchasing, and capitalizing on oil and natural gas assets in North America, specifically targeting mineral and royalty interests.

Energy Transfer's unit prices have surged over 13% this year, bolstered by two significant acquisitions. The company spent nearly $1.5 billion on acquiring Lotus Midstream, a deal that will instantly boost its free and distributable cash flow. A recently inked $7.1 billion deal to acquire Crestwood Equity Partners is also set to immediately enhance the company's distributable cash flow per unit. Energy Transfer aims to unlock commercial opportunities and refinance Crestwood's debt, amplifying the deal's value proposition. These strategic acquisitions provide the company additional avenues for expanding its distribution, which already offers a strong yield of 9.2%. Energized by both organic growth and its midstream consolidation efforts, Energy Transfer aims to uplift its payout by 3% to 5% annually.

Permian Resources to buy Earthstone Energy for $4.5B, focusing on Delaware Basin. Earthstone's Midland Basin assets may be up for sale. “This is a Delaware Basin company. That’s how we think about the focus going forward,” Permian Resources co-CEO James Walter said.

Earthstone Energy is selling Eagle Ford locations to concentrate on the Permian Basin, streamlining its exploration and production focus. Earthstone Energy Inc., based in The Woodlands, Texas, is putting an Eagle Ford asset on the market as the company focuses on divesting non-core properties and directing investment towards the Permian Basin. The assets that Earthstone is planning to sell include production and land in northeast Karnes County, Texas, as well as in southern Gonzales County, Texas, as outlined in the marketing documents. For the sales process, Earthstone has engaged Opportune Partners LLC to serve as its exclusive financial adviser.

Chevron Corp. has finalized the acquisition of PDC Energy Inc.'s land holdings in the Denver-Julesburg and Permian basins. Chevron Corporation (CVX) has announced its intention to acquire PDC Energy, Inc. (PDCE) in an all-stock deal valued at $6.3 billion. Under the agreement terms, PDC stockholders will receive 0.4638 Chevron shares for each PDCE share, bringing the total enterprise value to $7.6 billion, inclusive of debt. The acquisition is seen as a strategic step to enhance Chevron's position in vital U.S. production basins, unlocking new opportunities and potentially driving higher returns. As part of the agreement, Chevron will issue around 41 million shares of common stock at the deal's closure. Both Chevron's and PDC Energy's boards of directors have unanimously approved the acquisition.

SM Energy acquired 20,000 net acres in Dawson and north Martin counties in Texas, completing the transaction in cash. SM Energy Co., based in Denver, intends to expand on its success from the second quarter by increasing its drilling and completion activities in the coming quarter. This plan also includes preparations to develop the newly acquired land in the Midland basin. In June, the company's president and CEO, Herb Vogel, along with his team, raised their target for total oil and gas production for the second quarter to 13.9 MMboe, up from 13.4 MMboe. They exceeded this target, reaching nearly 14.1 MMboe, with oil making up 42% of that figure. During the quarter, SM Energy drilled 17 wells, with 12 located in South Texas and five in the Midland basin. They also completed 25 wells, 17 of which were in the Midland basin.

Kimbell Royalty Partners' acquisition adds land in Delaware & Midland basins, enhancing its lead in production, active rigs, DUCs, permits & undrilled inventory. Kimbell Royalty Partners LP has recently announced a landmark deal, the largest in its history, to expand its foothold in the oil and gas industry. The company has agreed to purchase Permian Basin and Midcontinent assets for a staggering $455 million in cash from a private seller.

Diamondback Energy sold more midstream assets in Q2 as part of a $1B plan to shed non-core assets, reducing debt in the Permian Basin. In July, Texas-based Diamondback Energy Inc. sold a 43% stake in the OMOG crude oil system, revealing this in its Q2 earnings on July 31. OMOG JV LLC, running 400 miles of pipelines and 350,000 bbl of storage in Midland, Martin, Andrews, and Ector counties, was detailed in Diamondback's filings. The sale provided $225 million in gross proceeds. Diamondback has announced or completed $1.1 billion in non-core asset sales since initiating the program. Initially aimed at raising $500 million, the 2023 target was increased to $1 billion.

Vital Energy’s deal adds 24,000 net acres and 100 gross drilling locations in Texas, growing its Permian Basin footprint to around 198,000 net acres. Vital Energy is revising its projections for oil and gas production and capital spending upward following the successful acquisition of a substantial area in the Permian Basin. The company has gained around 24,000 net acres and 100 gross drilling locations in Texas. As a result of this deal, Vital Energy is now increasing its full-year production and capital spending guidance.

Civitas Resources Expands into Denver-Julesburg Basin through $4.7B Cash and Stock Deals for NGP's Tap Rock and Hibernia. Civitas Resources has recently secured two definitive agreements to expand its presence in the Permian Basin's Midland and Delaware basins. The company will achieve this expansion through the acquisition of two private exploration and production companies, namely Hibernia Energy III LLC and Tap Rock Resources LLC. The total value of the deal, paid in both cash and stock, amounts to $4.7 billion. Both Hibernia Energy III LLC and Tap Rock Resources LLC are supported by NGP Energy Capital Management LLC. These acquisitions reflect the increasing demand for oil and gas reserves in the Permian Basin, with companies specializing in the region actively seeking new opportunities. Currently, Civitas Resources' primary production operations are focused in the Denver-Julesburg Basin (D-J Basin).

The midstream sector plays a vital role in the oil and gas supply chain, serving as a crucial link. As the energy transition continues, this industry, like the broader sector, encounters various risks. Yet, existing analyses have predominantly concentrated on the risks faced by the upstream and downstream sectors, leaving the fate of the midstream relatively unexplored. In a nutshell, midstream operators differentiate themselves by offering services instead of products, resulting in potentially distinct revenue models compared to extraction and refining businesses. However, they are not immune to the long-term risks associated with the energy transition away from oil and gas. Over time, companies involved in transporting and storing hydrocarbons face the possibility of encountering a combination of reduced volumes, heightened costs, and declining prices.

According to Reuters, Chevron has recently made additional assets available for acquisition in both New Mexico and Texas. As part of its strategy to streamline operations following significant shale acquisitions, Chevron is reportedly offering multiple oil and gas properties for sale in New Mexico and Texas. Marketing documents reviewed by Reuters reveal the company's intention to divest these assets. Despite its prominent position as the largest publicly-traded oil and gas producer and property owner with 2.2 million acres in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, Chevron has been actively divesting properties in the region. This divestment aligns with Chevron's efforts to optimize its portfolio and focus on its core operations.

Chord Energy Corp.'s subsidiary has entered into an agreement to purchase assets in the Williston Basin from Exxon Mobil, and its affiliates for $375 million. Chord Energy, a US independent company, is strategically expanding its presence in the Williston Basin of Montana and the Dakotas. While industry attention remains fixated on the Permian Basin, Chord Energy recognizes the potential of the Williston Basin and is capitalizing on the opportunity to enhance its reserve portfolio. Chord Energy successfully completed the acquisition of 62,000 acres in the Williston Basin from XTO Energy for a substantial cash consideration of $375 million.

Diamondback Energy is on a roll! In the first quarter, they made impressive strides towards their goal of divesting $1 billion in non-core assets by year-end. They successfully sold their upstream and midstream assets, marking a significant achievement.

ONEOK Inc. and Magellan Midstream Partners LP have announced a merger agreement that will result in the formation of a formidable midstream company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The deal will bring together their respective assets and expertise, resulting in a powerful entity boasting an extensive network of approximately 25,000 miles of pipelines primarily focused on transporting liquids.

Permian Resources bolsters dominance in the Delaware Basin with strategic land acquisitions, expanding its portfolio by over 5,000 net leasehold acres and 3,000 royalty acres. In a stunning display of growth and strategic maneuvering, Permian Resources Corp., based in Midland, Texas, has made waves in the first quarter by securing a series of deals worth over $200 million in the highly sought-after Delaware Basin. This move solidifies their position as a player in the region.

Following the success of FireBird Energy's $1.75 billion sale to Diamondback last year, the emergence of FireBird II signals a new chapter in the Permian Basin. Get ready for some exciting news from the energy industry. FireBird Energy II, the new player in the Permian Basin, has just secured $500 million in equity funding to fuel their acquisitions. With backing from the esteemed private equity firm Quantum Energy Partners, FireBird Energy II is poised to make waves in the industry.

Ovintiv Strikes Billion-Dollar Oil Deal, Doubling Production in Permian Basin with EnCap's Black Swan, PetroLegacy, and Piedra Resources. The deal, which was approved unanimously by Ovintiv's board, is slated to close on June 30. With over $5 billion in transactions announced on April 3, Ovintiv is set to expand its oil production by snatching up 65,000 net acres in the core of the Midland Basin. The deal with EnCap will give them a strategic edge in Martin and Andrews counties, Texas, with approximately 1,050 net, 10,000-ft well locations added to their inventory.

In a big move for Riley Permian, the company has just closed a deal to acquire top-of-the-line oil and gas assets in the heart of New Mexico. The acquisition, which was made in February, saw Riley Permian snapping up these highly sought-after resources from none other than Pecos Oil & Gas LLC for $330 million.

Energy Transfer's recent acquisition of Lotus Midstream's infrastructure for $1.45 billion is a remarkable feat that is bound to shake up the energy industry. This strategic move grants Energy Transfer access to the highly prized Centurion Pipeline, as well as an additional 3,000 miles of crude gathering and transportation pipelines. These pipelines span across the vast Permian Basin of West Texas, stretching all the way from New Mexico and culminating at the bustling energy hub of Cushing, Oklahoma.

The U.S. natural gas pipeline network is a complex system of pipelines that transport natural gas from production areas to consumers across the country. The pipeline network consists of three main types of pipelines: gathering pipelines, transmission pipelines, and distribution pipelines. Gathering pipelines are small-diameter pipelines that transport natural gas from production wells to processing facilities or larger transmission pipelines. Transmission pipelines are large-diameter pipelines that transport natural gas over long distances, sometimes across multiple states. Distribution pipelines operate at low pressure and are located in or near urban areas. They are often referred to as "utility pipelines" because they are typically owned and operated by local gas utility companies.

Diamondback Energy, an independent oil and gas company, has successfully completed the acquisition of Lario Permian, marking the closure of two major deals in the fourth quarter of 2022. The company purchased two private operators in the Midland Basin for approximately $3.3 billion.

Oklahoma City-based Riley Exploration Permian Inc. is extending its presence in New Mexico through the acquisition of oil and gas assets from Pecos Oil & Gas LLC, valued at $330 million in cash, according to the company's announcement on February 28.

Vital Energy Inc. has made a significant acquisition, purchasing 11,200 net acres in Upton and Reagan counties, Texas. The deal, which involved a combination of cash and stock, was worth almost $214 million. This move comes shortly after the company's rebranding from Laredo Petroleum just one month ago.

The Permian Basin is one of the most important oil and gas basins in the world, located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico in the United States. Oil drilling and production in the Permian Basin began in the early 1920s. The first significant discovery in the region was made in 1923 in the Westbrook field in Mitchell County, Texas. This discovery led to a boom in oil exploration and production in the area. By the 1930s, the Permian Basin had become one of the major oil-producing regions in the United States, and it continued to grow in importance throughout the 20th century.

On January 24 Independent E&P Arena Energy LLC acquired Cox Operating LLC's interests in the Eugene Island 330 and South Marsh 128 oil blocks. Cox Operating, based in Dallas, Texas, includes interests to Arena's existing ownership interest in the Gulf of Mexico fields, which it purchased from GOM Shelf LLC.

More than 60% of all A&D deals by value are in US oil and gas companies. Despite their leading market position, U.S. fields are developing unevenly, and investors are quite cautious about investing in them at this stage. The top 5 oil & gas industry A&D deals in 2022 were concluded by Omega Acquisition, Tokyo Gas, Diamondback Energy, Suncor Energy, and IMM Private Equity. The main motives of oil and gas companies to carry out A&D transactions can be considered the achievement of the synergy effect, and the presence of fundamental shocks in the market.

On January 5 Northern Oil & Gas (NOG) concluded a deal to acquire working interests in Midland-Petro D.C. Partners LLC (MPDC)'s Mascot Project in the Midland Basin, according to a January 9 press release. Firstly estimated at $330 million in cash, the deal was signed with an additional 3.25% working interest added to the 36.7% agreed upon when the transaction was announced on October 19. NOG paid $29 million more for the additional interests, which now totalled 39.958%. Finally, the deal closed for $320 million in cash and $43 million in debt at signing in October with the finance of Minnetonka, Minn.-based NOG with cash on hand, operating free cash flow, and assistance from its revolving credit facility.

According to the company’s press release on December 19, Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) closed its announced deal with a private seller of non-operated interests in the Northern Delaware Basin for $131.6 million in cash. The acquisition was announced with a $13 million deposit in October and is the third Permian Basin acquisition since August, adding to NOG’s $400 million of Permian Basin acquisitions in 2022. The assets of 2,100 net acres are primarily operated by a private company Mewbourne Oil Co., with production anticipated to total almost 2,500 boe/d in 2023. Also, Coterra Energy Inc. and Permian Resource Corp. are operators of the assets. The assets contain high-quality, low breakeven development that is leveraged to some of NOG’s top operating partners, as our investors have come to expect.

The year 2022 brought new opportunities to the U.S. economy in different domains that were not perfectly developed. Oil and natural gas production facilitated economic growth, especially in the Permian Basin.

On November 16 Diamondback Energy Inc. decided to expand in the Midland portion of the Permian Basin with the acquisition of Lario Permian LLC in a $1.55 billion cash-and-stock transaction. The Permian operator announced another billion-dollar agreement to purchase FireBird Energy LLC, a private Midland Basin operator. In total, Diamondback is paying almost $3.3 billion to extend in the Midland Basin. When combined with the pending FireBird acquisition, Diamondback is increasing its Midland Basin footprint by roughly 83,000 net acres, is adding 500 high-quality drilling opportunities that compete for capital with the current development plan and is raising the 2023 production profile by almost 37,000 bbl/d of oil (50,000 boe/d).

Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) made a $330 million purchase in the Permian Basin, according to the release on October 19. NOG revealed an agreement to purchase a 36.7% working interest in the Mascot Project from Midland-Petro D.C. Partners LLC (MDPC). The acquisition will be funded with cash on hand, operating free cash flow, and borrowings. The Mascot Project is operated by Permian Deep Rock Oil Co., an affiliate of MPDC, which is a David H. Arrington-owned business based in Midland, Texas. NOG anticipates that the production from the acquired properties to average almost 4,400 boe/d in the first quarter of 2023 and 6,450 boe/d for the full-year 2023 (2-stream, about 80% oil).

Continental ResourcesInc. agreed to be purchased by its founder, Harold G. Hamm, in a $4.3 billion cash deal that would take the U.S. shale giant private. On October 17 Continental, based in Oklahoma City, concluded an agreement to be acquired by Omega AcquisitionInc., an entity owned by Hamm, for $74.28 per share. The offer price denotes a 15% premium to the closing price on June 13 — the day before Hamm’s family revealed their initial $70 per share proposal. Even with the proposed incremental leverage from the buyout, CLR would be almost 0.6x leveraged in 2023, and expected FCF, even before assuming reduced costs from going private (else dividend), would have the term loan repaid in about 1.5 years. As a private company, Continental should have greater freedom to operate, particularly in areas such as exploration. Being a chairman of Continental Resources, Hamm and his family own 83% of the company’s stock. Based on the shares outstanding as of October 12, the tender offer would be for almost 58 million shares of common stock, according to the Continental release. The tender offer values Continental at roughly $27 billion. The offer price is slightly under Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC’s $75 price target and compares to the consensus price target of $72.86 on FactSet and $71.73 on Bloomberg.

Antero Midstream Corp. bought Marcellus assets of Crestwood Equity Partners LP on September 12 for $205 million in cash, signing another sale of noncore assets by the Houston-based company. Crestwood has strategically enhanced its asset portfolio through a series of A&D transactions for the previous 18 months to create a competitive scale in the Williston, Delaware, and Power River basins. The strategy covered acquisitions of Oasis Midstream Partners, Sendero Midstream, and Crestwood Permian Basin Holdings LLC (CPJV), which was a 50:50 joint venture of Crestwood and First Reserve. The assets to be bought cover 72 miles of dry gas gathering pipelines and nine compressor stations with about 700 MMcf/d of compression capacity. The current throughput on the system is approximately 200 MMcf/d, resulting in important available capacity for increase without major capital investment. The deal includes almost 425 undeveloped drilling locations and 120,000 gross dedicated acres from Antero Resources mainly in Harrison County. The acquisition is also anticipated to raise Antero Midstream’s compression capacity by 20% and gathering pipeline mileage by 15%.

On August 31 Ring Energy Inc. purchased privately-held Stronghold Energy, adding operations that are mainly situated in Crane County, Texas, in the Permian Basin’s Central Basin Platform. According to a September 1 Ring Energy release, this transaction fully complements the conventional-focused Central Basin Platform and Northwest Shelf asset positions in the Permian Basin. The majority owned by Warburg Pincus LLC, Stronghold’s operations are concentrated on the development of about 37,000 net acres situated mainly in Crane County. In July Ring Energy entered into an agreement to buy Stronghold Energy II Operating LLC and Stronghold Energy II Royalties LP for $200 million in cash at closing and $230 million in Ring equity based on a 20-day volume weighted average price. Consideration also involved a $15 million deferred cash payment due six months after closing and $20 million of existing Stronghold hedge liability increasing the total transaction value to $465 million. Stronghold’s asset base is almost 99% operated, 99% working interest, and 99% HBP. In July, Ring announced the current net production of Stronghold’s asset base was approximately 9,100 boe/d (54% oil, 75% liquids).

The completion of the merger between Centennial Resource Development Inc. and Colgate Energy Partners II LLC happened on Sept. 1, sealing the debut of Permian Resources Corp., which is considered the largest pure-play E&P company in the Delaware Basin. Permian Resources’ idea was to combine two successful E&P companies, creating a better, stronger, and more strategically compelling company. Centennial and Colgate announced an agreement to merge in May, denying rumors that Colgate, a privately held independent Midland-based company, had been seeking an IPO. The merger estimated Colgate at about $3.9 billion and consists of 269.3 million shares of Centennial stock, $525 million of cash, and the assumption of approximately $1.4 billion of Colgate’s outstanding net debt. Permian Resources, being the combined company, has a deep inventory of “high-quality” drilling locations on around 180,000 net acres the companies anticipate will provide more than $1 billion of free cash flow in 2023 at current strip prices, in accordance with the company release on Sept. 1.

On 3 August the pipeline operator Plains All American LP raised its 2022 profit forecast for the second time this year, as it expects a huge demand on its pipelines transporting U.S. shale oil to the Gulf Coast. The company increased full-year adjusted earnings guidance by $100 million to approximately $2.38 billion, since it anticipates higher crude and natural gas liquids volumes. European buyers have snapped up the U.S. light sweet crude, the largest part of which is delivered in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, as they depend on replacing Russian barrels. Average daily crude oil volumes in the second quarter grew 30% on its Permian Basin pipelines with oilfield activity trending about 10% exceeding its initial expectations. Its shares increased 3.6% in after-hours trading on August 3 to $11.19.

According to a midstream oil and natural gas company release on August 2, MPLXLP has increased total pipeline throughputs by 6% in the second quarter of 2022 and terminal throughput by 4%, versus year-ago levels. In an earnings statement of MPLX, the total pipeline throughputs were 5.9 million bbl/d, with terminal throughput of 3.1 million bbl/d for the second quarter. The company reported a net income of $875 million and adjusted earnings of $1.457 million in the second quarter, both higher than in the same period of 2021. Gathered volumes grew up by 11% from year-ago levels to an average of 5.6 Bcf/d. In the Marcellusregion, gathered volumes fell 1% compared to year-ago levels to an average of 1.3 Bcf/d. MPLX is expanding several projects, including in the Permian Basin where the Whistler pipeline is increasing from 2 Bcf/d to 2.5 Bcf/d, in addition to lateral pipelines into the Midland Basin and Corpus Christi domestic and export markets. Moreover, the construction is also maintained on the 200 MMcf/d Tornado ll processing plant, which MPLX anticipates coming online in the second half of 2022. Additionally, 68,000 bbl/d Smithburg de-ethanizer project in the Marcellus is expected to come online in the third quarter.

Earthstone Energy Inc., based in Texas, announced the transaction on June 28: the acquisition of Titus Oil&Gas which will raise production in the Delaware Basin by 26%. The $627 million acquisition fills the Permian Basin in Eddy and Lea counties, N.M. with 86 net locations on 7,900 net acres of leasehold, while it is not clear how much of the leasehold might be on federal acreage It is Earthstone’s seventh acquisition since 2021, a span that includes the closing of approximately $1.89 billion in acquisitions in the Permian Basin. The purchase of Titus Oil & Gas Production LLC and Titus Oil & Gas Production II LLC, privately held companies backed by NGP Energy Capital Management LLC, is estimated at $575 million in cash and it is the equivalent of $52 million in stock (3.9 million shares of its Class A common stock based on the June 24 closing price). Titus shared that its net production in June was 31,800 boe/d. The company had reserves of approximately 28.9 MMboe. Earthstone is sure its net production will increase, at the midpoint, by 20,500 boe/d (65% oil) in the fourth quarter.

A bolt-on acquisition of Woodland Midstream gathering and processing assets in the Permian Basin by DCP Midstream LP is under consideration and estimated at $160 million. According to a definitive agreement announced on June 14, DCP Midstream will get the James Lake System from Woodland Midstream II, a portfolio company of EIV Capital. DCP anticipates funding the bolt-on acquisition using cash on hand and borrowings under the company’s existing bank facilities. Since the James Lake System is situated within three miles of DCP’s Goldsmith processing facility in the Permian Basin, it provides the opportunity to maintain significant synergies and reduce the acquisition multiple over time. The System includes about 230 miles of gathering pipe and a 120 MMcf/d cryogenic processing facility, increasing DCP’s capacity and serving significant synergies with the company’s Goldsmith processing facility in Ector County, Texas. The James Lake System attends producers within the Permian’s Central Basin Platform in Ector, Andrews, and Winkler counties, Texas. It is expected that DCP also secures about 250,000 dedicated acres and the transaction itself is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year. To ensure the fulfillment of this transaction: Holland & Hart LLP provides legal counsel to DCP; Intrepid Partners, LLC is a financial adviser and McDermott Will & Emery LLP is a legal advisor to Woodland Midstream II.

Around 25,000 net acres in the Permian are being sold by Percussion Petroleum II, looking to fetch up to $1.5 billion, as some sources bet on rising oil prices to pocket more than double what it paid in 2021. The company spent $375 million plus contingent payments a year ago to buy the bulk of its assets in one of the most prolific crude-producing areas in the U.S. from Oasis PetroleumInc. The oil prices increased to triple digits and buyers wanted to gain a toehold in the basin, whereas backers of private shale companies such as Percussion use it as a chance to exit their investments with big profits. Remarkably, U.S. crude oil futures have grown about 50% to approximately $109/bbl since June 29, 2021, when Percussion closed its deal with Oasis.

On June 16 Targa Resources Corp. decided to acquire Lucid Energy Group, located in the Permian Basin, which is a part of Riverstone Holdings LLC and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Firstly, Targa enlarged due to the recent “blot-on” acquisition of Southcross Energy in the Eagle Ford for $200 million and it will become bigger thanks to the $3.55 billion cash transaction. Targa’s financial position allowed it to utilize convenient opportunities to extend its company so it bought #Lucid using available cash and debt with an estimated pro forma year-end 2022 leverage around 3.5 times. According to Targa’s estimates, the acquisition of Lucid will increase the number of natural gas pipelines by 1,050 miles and add about 1.4 Bcf/d of cryogenic natural gas processing capacity in service or under construction located mainly in Eddy and Lea counties of New Mexico. The investment-grade producers source approximately 70% of current system volumes. According to the press release, a full-year standalone adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $2.675 billion and $2.775 billion and reported year-end leverage ratio of about 2.7 times. Targa’s updated financial expectations assume NGL composite prices average $1.05 per gallon, crude oil prices average $100/bbl, and Waha natural gas prices average $6 per MMBtu for the remainder of 2022.

Matador Resources Co. acquires a gathering and processing system for $75 million in New Mexico’s Eddy and Lea counties from Summit Midstream Partners LP, filling up Matador’s midstream portfolio in the Permian Basin. Matador reached an agreement with a subsidiary of Summit to gain Summit’s Lane Gathering and Processing System on June 9. Nowadays, the Lane G&P System combines a 60 MMcf/d cryogenic natural gas processing plant, three compressor stations, and about 45 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines. As an investor presentation says, Matador began its initial midstream build-out in the Delaware Basin in 2015-2016. Since then the company has extended its midstream footprint in the Delaware using the San Mateo I and San Mateo II joint venture partnerships with Five Point Energy LLC

Despite the circulating rumors concerning Colgate’s attempt to launch an IPO, on May 19 the company decided to combine with Centennial Resource Development Inc. This merger of equals is estimated at $7 billion and will found the biggest pure-play E&P company in the Delaware Basin of the Permian. The transformative combination essentially enlarges companies’ potential and hastens the growth across all financial and operating metrics. According to Centennial CEO Sean Smith, the combined company is anticipated to furnish shareholders with quickened capital return program due to a fixed dividend coupled with a share repurchase plan. Due to a recent report, the merger would increase production 7%, to 145,000 boe/d by the fourth quarter would further ratchet up next year. By third-quarter 2023, the company predicted 160,000 boe/d based on a drilling program of 140 wells per year. Colgate Energy was reported to be getting an IPO last December that sources said would value the company at approximately $4 billion. The combined company will have over 15-years of drilling inventory, assuming its current drilling pace, the companies will produce over $1 billion of free cash flow in 2023 at current strip prices.

Oil output in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico is supposed to go up 88,000 bbl/d to a record 5.219 million bbl/d in June, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced in its report on May 16. Additionally, gas productivity in the Permian Basin and the Haynesville in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas will rise to record highs of 20 Bcf/d and 15.1 Bcf/d in June, respectively. Given that this growth has been expected, recent global market changes make forecasting the output even more challenging. Learning how production will change is easier with early activity tracking, a new service recently launched by Rextag – Pad Activity Monitor. With the help of PAM, you are able to monitor well pad clearing, drilling operations, fracking crew deployment and completions with new data collected approximately every 2 days. Additionally, it cuts down activity reporting lag times by at least 98%, from 120-180 days down to just 5-8 days. In order to access reports, charts, tables, and mapping visualizations via Rextag’s Energy DataLink use a web-based application allowing users to filter, download and identify activity on a map or data table. Moreover, customers will be able to set up daily, weekly, and monthly email report notifications.

The EIA forecasts that total output in the main U.S. shale oil basins will increase 142,000 bbl/d to 8.761 million bbl/d in June, the most since March 2020. Oil productivity in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico is supposed to go up 88,000 bbl/d to a record 5.219 million bbl/d in June, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced in its report on May 16. In the largest shale gas basin, the productivity in Appalachia in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia will grow up to 35.7 Bcf/d in June, its highest since beating a record 36 Bcf/d in December 2021. Gas output in the Permian Basin and the Haynesville in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas will rise to record highs of 20 Bcf/d and 15.1 Bcf/d in June, respectively. Speaking of the Permian future output, putting hands on upcoming changes in production has recently been made easier with the new Rextag's service - Pad Activity Monitor. Thanks to satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, customers are able to monitor the oil and gas wells and are provided with near real-time activity reports related to drilling operations. However, it is noticed that productivity in the largest oil and gas basins has decreased every month since setting records of new oil well production per rig of 1,544 bbl/d in December 2020 in the Permian Basin, and new gas well production per rig of 33.3 MMcf/d in March 2021 in Appalachia.

No sooner had the crude prices soared above $100/bbl than the industry professionals believed in an incredible growth of drilling activity in North America’s largest shale patch. Analysts speculate that additional output of 500,000 barrels of oil daily would become a significant part (4%) of overall U.S. daily production. That is going to flatter oil and gasoline prices. Drilling permits in the Permian Basin are persistently growing, averaging approximately 210 at the beginning of April. Moreover, the permits trend is noticed as an all-time high as a total of 904 horizontal drilling permits were awarded last month. Nowadays, learning and analysing the current situation and predicting the future development become easier with early activity tracking, a new service recently launched by Rextag. Rextag's Pad Activity monitor (PAM) allows you to see well pad clearing, drilling operations, fracking crew deployment and completions with new data collected approximately every 2 days with the help of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence. While the increase in drilling will result in higher production, U.S. shale producers will have to overcome several hurdles including labor shortages and supply constraints.

In the midst of the high prices and the U.S. government’s pushing, in the last week, the number of oil rigs increased by 5 and in total makes 557, its highest since April 2020, according to Baker Hughes Co BKR.N. Concerning the gas rigs, they gained 2 to 146, their highest since September 2019. Moreover, crude production was aimed to rise from 11.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2021 to 12.0 million bpd in 2022 and 13.0 million bpd in 2023, according to federal energy data. Given that this growth has been expected, recent global market changes make forecasting the output even more challenging. Learning how production will change is easier with early activity tracking, a new service recently launched by Rextag’s Pad Activity monitor (PAM). The overall amount of rigs in the U.S. would grow to an average of 684 in 2022 and 783 in 2023, due to U.S. investment bank Piper Sandler forecast. As Baker Hughes claimed that compares with an average of 478 in 2021.

And Petro-Hunt E&P is the new sheriff in town with 21,430 net acres of leasehold in the Basin, production of which surpasses 7,000 bbl/d and 100 MMcf/d respectively. To take advantage of it, Petro-Hunt plans to begin an active development drilling program on these assets in the coming months heavily upgrading the numbers of its 775 operating oil wells and contributing to over 8,100 non-operated wells. Time will tell, however, whether or not this move will be able to deliver such results.

Devon Energy Corp. believes that the Anadarko Basin is a hidden treasure and aims to use its position in it to fuel a robust cash return model and establish itself as an industry leader in promoting ESG. This E&P company plans to drill 45 new wells in the Midcontinent by 2022, as well as to produce 600,000 boe/d across five operating basins, including the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian, Powder River, and Williston basins. And given that Devon's recent fourth-quarter results were better than Street estimates. It appears that they are doing something right, at least for the moment.

The ever-increasing demand for natural gas exports from the Gulf Coast started a race to further develop Permian Basin. Various companies, including Kinder Morgan and MPLX, are among those looking at building new pipelines in the region due to the demand spike. But Energy Transfer seems to edge past them into the lead since its project strikes as the most economical option for the basin outside of capacity expansions on existing pipelines and could essentially add 1.5-2 Bcf/d of transport capacity with just 260 miles of new pipe.

The future of shale is looking bright: economic recovery and a spike in travel lifted oil prices to multi-year highs, helping Continental Resources to a fourth-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Coming off such a high note, the company plans to increase its dividend rates by 15% to 23 cents per share!

The crux of the matter is rather simple: productivity gains of local energy operators have been stable not only because they are drilling better acreage, but also because players finally realized capital efficiency gains. And even if some new obstacles impede Appalachia's growth at the same rate as the Permian or Haynesville, it does not detract from the value of the Marcellus and Utica basins. The Appalachians will still be the top producers at a very competitive pace as long as commercial inventory exists. After all, as long as there is commercial inventory, somebody will have to drill.

Enterprise decided to go in on the Permian Basin. With the surprise purchase of Navitas Midstream for $3.25 billion in cash, the company gained a foothold in the Midland Basin, as it previously lacked #naturalgas or NGL infrastructure apart from downstream pipelines in the region. Enterprise estimates that distributable cash flow accretion will be in the range of $0.18 to $0.22 per unit in 2023, while simultaneously supporting additional capital returns to their limited partners through distribution growth and buybacks of common units.

Colgate Energy is planning to float its shale oil producer in the Permian's Delaware Basin on the stock market. If successful, this IPO would be the first major U.S. oil producer offering since Jagged Peak Energy's IPO in January 2017. Looks like investors’ confidence in the sector is returning as U.S. crude prices hit their highest in seven years late last year S&P energy index delivered roughly twice the return of the S&P 500 in 2021.

Permian Basins gas infrastructure boom: Summit Midstream puts into service a new pipeline system, aimed at reducing gas flaring in the area. Besides ecological concerns, the project will also transport almost 1,5 billion cubic feet of gas per day — enough to supply 5 million U.S. homes every day. According to Federal Energy Statistics, the project cost a whopping $450 million.

Sempra Energy would develop the 4.0-mmtpa Vista Pacifico LNG export facility located next to the company's Terminal for Refined Products in Topolobampo in a bid to provide gas from the Permian basin in Texas and New Mexico to Asian markets. Once marketing begins, Sempra's management expects Vista Pacifico to be oversubscribed.

Crestwood & Oasis Midstream merge to create a top Williston #basin player. $1.8 billion deal is expected to close during the Q1 of 2022. The transaction will result in a 21.7% ownership stake for Oasis in Crestwood common units. The remaining ownership of Oasis in Crestwood will also be of benefit to the company since it will create a diversified midstream operator with a strong balance sheet and a bullish outlook after this accretive merger.

Diamondback Energy is willing to sell some of its Permian Water Assets in order to reduce debt and ensure a steady oil supply through the end of the year. The brokered deal will bring the company some $160 million in cash. Consolidation seems to be the trend in the industry, but for how long?

Comstock Resources decided to go through with asset divestment, selling its Bakken Shale actives for $150M to Northern Oil and Gas. The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested by Comstock Resources Inc. into the Haynesville Shale, at which point the company may acquire additional leasehold and fund drilling activities starting in 2022. Meanwhile, Northern clearly gunning for the pack leading position in the Texas shale play, but whether they succeed or not is remains to be seen.

A Permian Basin crude pipeline, Pro forma, will be operating at a capacity of 6.8 million bbl/d and will span 5,500 miles. This is a joint venture between Plains All American Pipeline LP and Oryx Midstream Holdings LLC and is expected to raise $50 million within the first year.

As you know the US Oil Rig Count has dropped by over 20% from January to December 2019. In Texas we saw oil rigs count dropping over 30% in that same time frame.

How has the Permian basin been performing recently? Does production keep growing? Who are the top market players? Find out with Rextag data experts.

Growing U.S. natural gas production urges companies to invest in exports capacities. Reviewing paths to Mexican and Canadian markets and companies leading the way

Mancos Shale in Rockies: Natural Gas Reservoir with High Potential

With all oil pipeline projects currently under construction in Permian, there is no certainty if their operators' margins will be high enough.

See how the shale boom developed on this animated timeline

Pinnacle Midstream began construction on its Sierra Grande Gas Processing Plant. Will begin operation in 4Q of 2017.

A total capacity for the area is as high as 8,576,325 Bcd according to Rextag count

Export Opportunities For Permian’s and Takeaway Problem

Russia and U.S. Both Plan Aggressive LNG Export Capacity Growth By 2021. Read more how they compete.