The latest Baker Hughes rig report, released on January 10, 2025, indicates a drop in U.S. oil and natural gas drilling activity for the first time in six weeks. The rig count, a key barometer of future production levels, fell by five rigs to 584, marking the lowest level since November 2024.
The Bakken formation continues to be a significant player in North American oil production, with top operators driving drilling activity across the region. In 2024, several companies stood out in terms of their well-drilling efforts. Below is a detailed analysis of the top 10 Bakken drillers, highlighting their 2024 wells drilled, year-over-year spread compared to 2023, and overall impact on the region’s oil production.
As President-elect Donald Trump advocates for a renewed push in U.S. oil production, the dynamics of the shale industry have significantly evolved since his first term. Gone are the days of wildcatters driving breakneck drilling activity. In their place stand oil giants focused on capital discipline, efficiency, and delivering returns…
The Permian Basin continues to be one of the most prolific oil and gas regions in the world. The drilling activity across the region reflects ongoing efforts by operators to maximize production while navigating market dynamics. Below is a summary of the top 15 operators in the Permian Basin by wells drilled in 2024, comparing their activity levels with 2023 to showcase trends and changes across the industry.
In a recent development within the Texas oil and gas sector, multiple air permits have been transferred from SN Operating LLC to Formentera Operations LLC, signifying a strategic move in the Eagle Ford Shale. This permit transfer is critical to ongoing oil and gas production in South Texas, specifically in Frio County, where these facilities are located.
The midstream sector kicked off 2025 with a major acquisition as EnCap Flatrock Midstream (EFM) announced the sale of Ironwood Midstream Energy Partners II (Ironwood II) to Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE: PAA) for over $800 million in cash. The deal, which also includes EFM’s Plains Series A Preferred Units, is set to close in the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
The Eagle Ford Shale has remained one of the most prolific oil and gas-producing regions in the United States, with several major operators continuing to drill aggressively throughout 2024. Below, we highlight the top operators by the number of wells drilled in the Eagle Ford during the year, along with the year-over-year spread compared to 2023. This list provides valuable insights into which companies are driving production growth in this key basin.
Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) has taken a significant step to strengthen its position in the Permian Basin midstream sector by announcing a definitive agreement to acquire EPIC Y-Grade GP, LLC and EPIC Y-Grade, LP (collectively referred to as “EPIC NGL”). The acquisition is valued at $2.2 billion in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
In a groundbreaking development for the oil and gas industry, Coterra Energy Inc. has become the first operator in North America to implement Halliburton’s cutting-edge Octiv® Auto Frac service. This innovative technology brings automation to hydraulic fracturing, fundamentally transforming how stages are executed during well completions. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing operational efficiency in hydraulic fracturing.
U.S. drilling rig activity remained steady over the past week, with the total count holding at 589 rigs, according to the latest Rig Report from Baker Hughes Co.
