Analysis suggests that the U.S. could face a supply squeeze in the short to mid-term that will likely drive up commodity prices. As global economies gradually emerge from the Covid-19-induced contraction, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates an increase in global oil demand of 6% in 2021. The supply side, on the other hand, shows a different trend. TGS analysis indicates a dramatic decrease in rig count, well shut-ins, high decline rates in unconventional wells and other challenges associated with shale production point to lower U.S. oil output in the near-term.
COVID-19 dealt a serious financial blow to the oil & gas industry, causing many companies to rethink their deployment of engineering resources. Learn how to improve efficiency through real-time monitoring and control of distributed equipment.
With bankruptcies mounting in the North American oil and gas industry, the part of the sector backed by alternative asset managers is staring down a phase of consolidation and contraction as energy investors lose their trust in private equity.
Digital technology is helping oil and gas companies extend and increase the efficiencies gained through hardware-centric initiatives. In fact, Quorum software is driving innovations in oil and gas that are positioning our customers for long-term success and profitability.
A sustainable future for the industry in deepwater is further investment in proven sweet spots and a search for similar plays. The two prime characteristics of these sweet spots are exceptional reservoirs at unexceptional depths. Expensive deepwater wells must add as many barrels as possible. The industry is making progress developing deepwater finds. Projects sanctioned since 2012, and green fields now approaching FID, will together recover over 30 billion barrels of oil. These fields need just US$42/barrel on average to achieve a 10% return. Better reservoirs break even at lower prices.
Lower oil prices drive the need to optimize the sand supply chain since sand is a major cost input to each completion. A shift from pneumatic trucks to containerized last mile solutions is under way due to sizable cost savings.