Shell is divesting mature U.S. Gulf deepwater assets to Talos Energy and Ridgewood Energy for $1.7 billion as part of its strategy to focus on higher-value offshore developments. The acquisition significantly strengthens Talos Energy’s Gulf of Mexico portfolio while extending the productive life of established offshore infrastructure.
Mueller Exploration, Inc. is a privately held independent oil and gas operator headquartered in Humble, Texas, operating approximately 12 producing wells across South Texas and the Gulf Coast while providing full-cycle exploration, drilling, production, and contract operating services. Since 2016, the company has drilled 12 wells, including 2 wells in 2026, with activity concentrated in the Eagle Ford play, led by Live Oak County (5 wells), and Ensign T120 serving as its primary drilling rig.
The U.S. approved 511 new well permits last week, led by strong activity in New Mexico and Texas, while Permian Resources, EOG Resources, and Exxon (XTO) ranked as the most active operators. The report also identified eight operators appearing for the first time in more than 12 months, highlighting continued investment across conventional oil and gas development, natural gas infrastructure, carbon sequestration, and renewable energy projects, reflecting the ongoing evolution of North America’s energy sector.
Louisiana Green Fuels LLC is developing a first-of-its-kind carbon-negative sustainable aviation fuel facility in Caldwell Parish that combines biomass conversion with integrated carbon capture and sequestration technology. The project does not operate oil or gas producing wells, but it plans to develop three Class VI CO₂ injection wells to permanently store captured carbon as part of its renewable fuels operation.
Vinton Dome Storage Hub, LLC is developing a large-scale underground natural gas storage facility in southwest Louisiana to support the rapidly expanding Gulf Coast LNG market. The project includes five planned storage wells and up to 60 Bcf of initial storage capacity, with expansion potential to 28 caverns that would create one of the region’s largest natural gas storage hubs.
Discovery Operating, Inc. has permitted a new seven-well horizontal development on the AF A / AF lease in Section 34, Block 41T4S, Upton County, Texas, marking the start of another manufacturing-style drilling program in the Midland Basin. The privately held Midland-based operator continues its long-term Permian development strategy by concentrating multiple wells on a single surface location to maximize drilling efficiency and reservoir recovery.
Zephyr Energy’s expansion of its Paradox Basin position to approximately 70,000 acres underscores growing confidence in Utah’s long-term resource potential, even as current drilling activity remains overwhelmingly concentrated in the Uinta Basin. Year-to-date, 122 of 129 wells drilled have been in Duchesne and Uintah counties, led by Koda Resources, UINTA WAX Operating, FourPoint Energy, SM Energy (Civitas), and Crescent Energy, with Cyclone and Patterson rigs driving the majority of drilling activity.
Williams is reportedly nearing a $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream, a move that would significantly expand its natural gas pipeline network connecting the Haynesville Shale to LNG export facilities and Gulf Coast power markets. The transaction would strengthen Williams’ position in the growing LNG infrastructure sector while supporting increasing demand for natural gas exports and power generation.
Matador Resources’ San Mateo Midstream JV is acquiring Cardinal Midstream for $752 million, expanding its Delaware Basin natural gas processing capacity to more than 1 Bcf/d and increasing its gathering network to over 800 miles. The acquisition strengthens regional midstream infrastructure and positions San Mateo for higher cash flow and EBITDA growth as Delaware Basin gas production continues to expand.
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