This week’s Eagle Ford rig activity highlights renewed investment by two smaller independent operators that are beginning to expand their drilling programs. Paloma Operating, LLC has now drilled its fourth well of 2026, while MB Energy, LLC has drilled its first well of the year, providing additional evidence that privately…
President Trump warned that Iran would face a strong U.S. military response following an attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan, triggering an immediate rally in global oil prices. The renewed geopolitical tensions have heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing volatility across energy markets.
Rising Star Energy Partners II is a privately held Texas oil and gas operator focused on acquiring and optimizing mature conventional producing assets, with drilling activity since 2019 concentrated in Irion and Refugio counties targeting the June Ann (Pennsylvanian) and La Rosa fields. The company’s recent acquisition of four air-permitted production facilities in Chambers County from Texas Petroleum Investment Company expands its Gulf Coast infrastructure footprint and reinforces its strategy of purchasing integrated producing asset packages rather than pursuing high-risk exploration.
Sabine Energy Inc. is a leading East Texas natural gas producer focused on the Haynesville Shale and Cotton Valley formations, with 267 well permits since 2017, an 87% permit-to-activity rate, and operations concentrated in Panola, Harrison, and Rusk Counties. Formerly known as Sabine Oil & Gas Corporation, the company completed its transition to Sabine Energy Inc. in 2026, including the recent transfer of 11 TCEQ air permits, reflecting a legal entity update while maintaining the same operating assets and development strategy.
FERC has authorized Cheniere Energy to begin introducing natural gas into Train 7 at its Corpus Christi LNG export facility, marking the final commissioning phase of the Stage 3 expansion. Once completed, the project will increase the terminal’s permitted LNG production capacity to more than 25 million tonnes per year while supporting continued growth in U.S. Gulf Coast LNG exports.
Goldman Sachs forecasts Brent crude will average $75–80 per barrel under its base-case outlook but warns prices could exceed $120 per barrel if disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz continue. Even under the lower-price scenario, North American oil producers are expected to generate strong free cash flow and support continued drilling, completion, and infrastructure investment.
Natural gas remained the primary driver of new U.S. drilling activity last week, with 12 operators filing their first well permits of 2026 across key producing regions including the Haynesville, East Texas, and the Anadarko Basin. The permits highlight continued investment by both large private operators and smaller independents as they position for growing natural gas demand while advancing development across conventional and unconventional assets.
Baker Hughes expects global upstream oil and gas spending to decline modestly in 2026 as producers focus on capital discipline and maximizing existing production. Strong demand for LNG infrastructure, power generation, and industrial energy projects continues to drive record equipment orders and long-term growth opportunities.
Expand Energy will acquire Twin Eagle Holdings for $1.25 billion, creating one of North America’s largest integrated natural gas marketing businesses with 14 Bcf/d of marketed gas volumes. The acquisition expands the company’s commercial platform and is expected to increase annual incremental free cash flow from its marketing strategy to $750 million.
Oil prices fell sharply after the United States and Iran paused military strikes, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The decline pressured North American energy stocks, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, and Phillips 66, as markets reassessed geopolitical risk.
