Permian Basin

Business

Piper Sandler Lifts Diamondback Energy Target to $218, Citing Permian Basin Strength Amid Volatile Oil Pricing

Analysts at Piper Sandler have increased their price target for Permian Basin-focused producer Diamondback Energy (FANG) to $218, maintaining an Overweight rating. The move comes as the firm anticipates solid Q4 results for gas-focused companies, while oil producers navigate a tougher pricing environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Partner Default in Otway Basin Puts ConocoPhillips' Project Costs and Strategy Under Scrutiny

3D Energi's failure to meet a payment obligation on the ConocoPhillips-operated Otway Basin exploration project has triggered a trading halt and raised questions about cost impacts, partnership structures, and the oil major's valuation resilience.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SM Energy and Civitas Seal $12.8 Billion Merger, Forging a U.S. Shale Powerhouse

The all-stock deal creates a top-tier independent producer focused on the Permian Basin, with Beth McDonald at the helm aiming to unlock significant synergies and shareholder returns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chevron Caps 'Year of Execution' with Record Output, Dividend Hike, and Strategic Gains

Chevron reported robust fourth-quarter results, emphasizing record global production, major project startups, and increased shareholder returns. Executives detailed progress in the Permian Basin, Gulf of Mexico, and international ventures while outlining a confident outlook for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ExxonMobil Charts Post-Transformation Course, Touts Record Returns and Tech-Driven Growth

ExxonMobil's 2025 year-end results underscore a reshaped corporate strategy, delivering record shareholder returns and production milestones in Guyana and the Permian, while advancing carbon capture and enterprise digitalization.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Devon and Coterra Forge $58 Billion Shale Giant in Major All-Stock Merger

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy have agreed to combine in a landmark all-stock deal, creating a premier large-cap operator in the prolific Delaware Basin with an enterprise value of approximately $58 billion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Equinor Deepens Brazil Commitment with $114M West Saturn Drillship Extension

Seadrill secures a major contract extension for the West Saturn drillship with Equinor Brasil, adding over $100 million to its backlog and solidifying operations in Brazil's strategic pre-salt basin through 2027.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Trim Targets on Antero Resources Amid Shifting Energy Outlook, But Bullish Stance Remains

Morgan Stanley and Barclays have both lowered their price targets for Appalachian Basin natural gas leader Antero Resources (AR), citing revised commodity forecasts. Despite the cuts, Morgan Stanley maintains an 'Overweight' rating, signaling continued confidence in the stock's long-term trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ExxonMobil Posts Record 2025 Results, Cementing Its Dominance in the Oil Sector

The energy giant reported industry-leading earnings and cash flow, driven by record production and deep cost cuts, while returning billions to shareholders and outlining an ambitious growth plan through 2030.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Venezuela's Oil Ambitions Face Reality Check as Exxon, Chevron Hold Back New Investment

Despite political pressure and vast reserves, U.S. oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron are taking a cautious stance on new spending in Venezuela, demanding legal stability and fiscal reforms before committing fresh capital, even as they signal long-term interest.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Coterra and Devon in Advanced Merger Talks, Potentially Reshaping U.S. Shale Landscape

Sources indicate Coterra Energy and Devon Energy are in advanced discussions for a merger that would create a shale giant, raising immediate questions for investors about valuation, future dividends, and the strategic logic behind combining two major players with overlapping portfolios.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Houston Giants Diverge on Venezuela as Profits Slump: Chevron Bets Big, Exxon Stays Out

Amid a sharp drop in annual profits, Chevron and Exxon Mobil chart starkly different courses on Venezuela's oil potential, highlighting the industry's split response to geopolitical risk and economic uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Texas Energy Jobs Bounce Back in December, Fueling State's Record Employment Surge

After a November dip, Texas's upstream oil and gas sector added 2,000 jobs in December, contributing to the state's record-breaking employment figures and underscoring the industry's pivotal role in the Texan economy and tax base.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Drilling Activity Stalls Amid Mixed Signals for Oil and Gas

The U.S. rig count saw a marginal increase this week, yet remains significantly below last year's levels as crude production dips and completions activity sends conflicting signals.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron Posts Record Production, Signals Growth from Tengiz to Venezuela in Q4 2025

Chevron capped off a year of strategic execution with record global production and industry-leading free cash flow growth, while outlining ambitious expansion plans from the Caspian to the Caribbean.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Potential Devon-Coterra Merger Poised to Reshape U.S. Shale Landscape

Advanced talks between Devon Energy and Coterra Energy could culminate in one of the largest shale oil deals on record, signaling a new wave of consolidation as producers seek scale and efficiency amid market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron Outperforms Q4 Profit Forecasts Amid Cost-Cutting Drive, Eyes Expansion in Venezuela

Chevron Corp. reported a drop in fourth-quarter earnings that nonetheless beat analyst expectations, as the oil giant emphasized operational efficiency to navigate lower crude prices. The company, the sole U.S. producer active in Venezuela, signaled it is assessing further investment opportunities in the country following recent geopolitical shifts.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Plains All American Doubles Down on Crude with EPIC Pipeline Deal, Sparking Investor Debate

Plains All American Pipeline's strategic pivot—selling its Canadian NGL unit for $3.8 billion to fund the acquisition of the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline—has sharpened its focus on oil transportation. While a 10% distribution hike signals confidence, analyst downgrades and heightened options volatility ahead of earnings reveal deep divisions over the company's risk-reward profile.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Coterra and Devon Seal $58 Billion Merger, Forging a U.S. Shale Powerhouse

The all-stock deal creates one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas producers, headquartered in Houston, with combined assets poised to reshape the competitive landscape of the shale sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Barclays Bullish on 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Sees M&A and Pricing Trends as Key Catalysts

Barclays initiates coverage of 4D Molecular Therapeutics with an Overweight rating and a $33 price target, citing a favorable industry backdrop with potential M&A tailwinds and shifting focus away from drug pricing pressures. The gene therapy developer also outlined key clinical milestones expected through 2026.

Feb 2, 2026