GO BACK

Category: 2026

Valor | Energy Connection – Apr. 13, 2026

Posted on by Valor

April 13, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Operators rethink ‘stay the course’ as sustained $100 oil more probable
  • Summary: Permian Basin producers are shifting away from initial 2026 plans as sustained $100 WTI prices become more probable, with some operators drilling six wells compared to zero previously. Analysts predict the rig count could surge from 241 to 300 by late 2027, potentially lifting crude production by 500,000 barrels per day to reach 7.3 million. While rig reactivation is fast, labor and pipeline constraints remain, as key systems like Cactus II and Longhorn already operate at or near capacity.
  • Read more

    U.S. gas drops on storage build, Permian bottlenecks keep Waha negative
  • Summary: U.S. natural gas futures fell 0.5% to $2.711/MMBtu, a seven-month low, after the EIA reported a 50 billion cubic foot storage build for the week ending April 3. Prices at the Waha Hub in West Texas remained negative for a record 44 consecutive days, averaging -$1.37/MMBtu so far in 2026 due to Permian pipeline constraints. While Lower 48 output rose to 111.1 bcfd in April, total gas demand is projected to drop to 100.1 bcfd this week as mild weather keeps heating and cooling requirements low.
  • Read more
  • Oil prices tumble as traders unwind geopolitical bets
  • Summary: Crude oil markets reversed sharply between April 5 and April 9, 2026, as traders shifted from aggressive risk pricing to rapid liquidation following a prior 12% rally. May WTI reached a weekly high of $117.73 before collapsing to a low of $91.05, eventually trading at $98.39 by Thursday. This -11.79% weekly decline represents a $13.15 drop driven by aggressive profit-taking and the absence of immediate supply disruptions, causing large funds to quickly unwind long positions as momentum slowed.
  • Read more
  • U.S. drillers cut oil and gas rigs for third time in four weeks, Baker Hughes says
  • Summary: U.S. energy firms reduced the total oil and gas rig count by three to 545 for the week ending April 10, marking a 7% decline from the previous year. While oil rigs held steady at 411, gas rigs dropped by three to 127, their lowest since late March, despite a rise in Gulf of Mexico activity to 13 rigs. The EIA projects 2026 crude output will slide to 13.5 million bpd from a record 13.6 million in 2025, even as natural gas production is forecast to reach 109.6 bcfd with prices rising about 4%.
  • Read more

    Mild U.S. weather weighs on Nat-Gas prices
  • Summary: Natural gas futures fell to a 7.5-month low as mild spring temperatures across the eastern U.S. reduced heating demand, while a larger-than-expected storage build of 50 bcf added further downward pressure. U.S. dry gas production held near record highs at 111.3 bcfd, keeping supply well above its five-year seasonal average. Some medium-term support remains on the outlook for tighter global LNG supplies following damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan export facility.
  • Read more

    Goldman warns of a natural gas shock that could rival the oil crisis
  • Summary: Goldman Sachs warns of a painful global gas squeeze as Qatari infrastructure damage at Ras Laffan may take three to five years to repair, potentially requiring a total rebuild. Natural gas prices have already surged 50% to 70%, with analyst Samantha Dart projecting another 50% to 100% increase if supply remains tight ahead of the October inventory deadline. While China’s redirected surplus currently provides relief, the lack of spare U.S. capacity could soon force aggressive demand rationing.
  • Read more

    Record oil production in West Texas helps stabilize U.S. supply amid Iran war
  • Summary: Texas produced nearly half of all U.S. oil in 2025, reaching 6.6 million barrels daily from the Permian Basin despite operating with significantly fewer rigs than a decade ago. This record output contributed to total U.S. production of 13.6 million barrels per day, helping support domestic supply during a period of global market disruption. While efficiency gains continue to drive higher output, analysts note that lower rig counts could contribute to a modest production decline in the coming years.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Apr. 6, 2026

Posted on by Valor

April 6, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Exxon and QatarEnergy’s joint venture Golden Pass produces first LNG at new Texas facility
  • Summary: The Golden Pass LNG joint venture, owned 70% by QatarEnergy and 30% by Exxon Mobil, successfully produced its first fuel at its Texas facility on March 30, 2026. This $10 billion project aims for a second-quarter export launch, with the first of three trains adding 6 million metric tons per annum to global supply. This milestone occurs as QatarEnergy declares force majeure on 20% of the world’s LNG supply due to Middle East conflict, which could impact 17% of their output for up to five years.
  • Read more

    WTI prices soar past Brent as Hormuz conflict flips global market
  • Summary: WTI crude spiked to $111.29 per barrel, inverting the typical global benchmark structure by trading at a premium over Brent’s $107.57. This rare inversion occurred as President Trump vowed to hit Iran extremely hard, causing oil prices to surge over 10% while tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—which normally handles 20% of global flows—effectively stalled. WTI has gained a security premium because it is physically accessible and can be exported without transiting the blocked region.
  • Read more
  • U.S. rig count rises for first time in three weeks
  • Summary: The U.S. total rig count rose to 548 this week, with active oil rigs increasing by 2 to 411 and gas rigs rising by 3 to 130, according to Baker Hughes data. While domestic crude production held steady at 13.657 million bpd, the Frac Spread Count fell by 5 crews, following a loss of 8 in the prior week. Oil prices surged as the Middle East conflict stalled tanker traffic, pushing WTI above $111 per barrel and Brent to $108.60, as Iran issued threats of broader attacks and regional supply risks grew.
  • Read more
  • Hawkins Capital, Knock Out Energy combine
  • Summary: Hawkins Capital USA, a division of Hawkins Lease Service, has acquired Knock Out Energy LLC to expand its oil and gas field services across the Permian Basin and Barnett Shale. Knock Out Energy operates with a workforce of more than 80 employees and a fleet of 80 vehicles, specializing in compressor mechanics, electrical work, and cathodic protection. While the firms will continue as independent entities, the deal provides Hawkins with a physical presence in the Permian Basin and supports Knock Out’s expansion into coast-to-coast projects in states like Oregon and South Carolina.
  • Read more

    AI leads record deal flow while energy reality looms
  • Summary: AI dominated Q1 2026 M&A activity despite Middle East war disruptions, with 22 deals over $10 billion and a $110 billion funding round for OpenAI. Equity stake sales in the AI sector accounted for 29% of all merger and acquisition activity as investors prioritized long-term strategy over short-term energy volatility. However, experts warn that record daily oil production cuts exceeding 10 million barrels and helium shortages for semiconductors could fuel inflation and stall future growth.
  • Read more

    U.S. crude oil production hit record 13.6 million barrels a day in 2025
  • Summary: The U.S. set a crude oil production record of 13.6 million barrels per day in 2025, a 3% increase from 2024 despite a 5% drop in active rigs. The Permian Basin dominated the market, accounting for 48% of total output and growing by 280,000 barrels per day to reach 6.6 million. While WTI prices fell to $65 per barrel, efficiency gains allowed for record growth, with the Lower 48 providing 83% of supply and Permian breakeven costs remaining between $61 and $62, well below the previous year’s price average.
  • Read more

    The two-week window that could break global commodity markets
  • Summary: Global markets face a systemic breakdown as five interconnected commodity chains—oil and gas, naphtha, fertilizer, helium, and logistics—shift from pricing risk to severe deliverability constraints. The divergence between paper and physical markets is widening, with the next 14 days representing a critical compression phase where depleted buffers could trigger abrupt, non-linear economic shocks. While U.S. strategic reserves can mitigate short-term oil gaps, they cannot resolve the deeper integration of soaring LNG competition, petrochemical feedstock scarcity, and failing logistics flexibility.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Mar. 30, 2026

Posted on by Valor

March 30, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Waha prices will remain weak until fall, analysts say
  • Summary: Natural gas prices at the West Texas Waha hub averaged negative $3.80 per MMBtu in March, driven by pipeline maintenance and crude-focused production growth. Analysts from East Daley Analytics noted that U.S. gas remains dislocated from surging global benchmarks like JKM and TTF because domestic LNG export facilities are already operating at maximum capacity. Relief is expected by September 2026, when the Blackcomb pipeline and Gulf Coast Express expansion are slated to come online, potentially lifting Waha futures to $3.35 per MMBtu.
  • Read more
  • U.S. drillers cut oil and gas rigs for second week in a row, Baker Hughes says
  • Summary: U.S. energy firms reduced the total oil and gas rig count by nine to 543 for the week ending March 27, marking the first back-to-back weekly decline since January. Oil rigs dropped by five to 409, while gas rigs fell by four to 127, leaving the total count 8.3% below last year’s levels. Despite fewer active rigs, the EIA projects 2026 crude output will rise to 13.61 million bpd and gas production will reach 109.5 bcfd as the Iran War drives the first WTI price increase in four years.
  • Read more
  • Oil execs forecast higher near-term WTI prices in Q1 Dallas fed energy survey
  • Summary: Executives from 116 oil and gas firms have significantly revised their price expectations upward in the first quarter 2026 Dallas Fed Energy Survey. Amid heightened geopolitical volatility and supply disruptions in the Middle East, the mean forecast for WTI crude oil at the end of 2026 jumped to $74.04 per barrel, up from just $62.41 in the previous quarter’s survey.
  • Read more
  • “The cushion is gone”: Rystad Energy warns of structurally fragile oil market
  • Summary: Rystad Energy reports that the global oil market has reached a critical tipping point. After four weeks of absorbing the 17.8 million bpd disruption from the Strait of Hormuz via surplus inventories and floating storage, those buffers are now largely depleted. The market has shifted from “buffered” to “structurally fragile,” meaning even minor secondary shocks could now trigger disproportionate and violent price spikes.
  • Read more
  • Fed survey finds texas oil and gas activity rebounds, uncertainty remains high
  • Summary: The Q1 2026 Dallas Fed Energy Survey reveals a significant turnaround for the Texas energy sector. The Business Activity Index surged 27 points to 21, marking the first expansionary reading in nearly a year. While oilfield services are driving this recovery, the “rebound” is complicated by a stark divide between large and small producers and a “jobless” recovery.
  • Read more
  • Kodiak Gas Services acquires large compression assets
  • Summary: Kodiak Gas Services has significantly expanded its Permian Basin footprint through a $24 million acquisition of 20,000 horsepower (HP) in large-scale compression assets. This deal includes a seven-year service agreement expected to generate $7 million in annualized revenue. Beyond this acquisition, Kodiak is scaling its infrastructure with new facilities in Pecos and Midland to support a total projected addition of 170,000 HP in 2026.
  • Read more
  • Why natural gas bills aren’t rising like prices at the pump
  • Summary: While U.S. gasoline prices have surged nearly $1 in a month to almost $4 per gallon, domestic natural gas remains an “energy island.” Prices at the Henry Hub in Erath, Louisiana, have held steady near $3 per MMBtu, even easing slightly in recent weeks. This stability is driven by the fact that U.S. LNG export terminals are already running at maximum capacity; because no additional gas can physically leave the country to capture higher global prices, the domestic surplus remains trapped at home, keeping prices subdued.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Oil and Gas Back-Office Automation: Why Your Workflows Are the Missing Link

Posted on by Valor

The oil and gas industry doesn’t have a technology problem. It has a coordination problem.

In recent McKinsey analysis, digital and automation initiatives have been shown to deliver 10 to 30 percent improvements in cost in oil and gas operations, yet much of that value remains unrealized—not because the tools don’t exist, but because workflows between systems remain disconnected.

Most operators are already running on decades of proven infrastructure — ERP systems, land platforms, production accounting software, regulatory tools. These systems are deeply embedded and operationally critical. Replacing them isn’t the opportunity. Connecting them is.

The Bottleneck Is Between Systems

Even with strong systems in place across oil and gas accounting, land administration, and regulatory compliance, most operational workflows still rely on manual coordination. Data moves through spreadsheets, emails, and manual handoffs between teams — and that’s where time is lost, errors are introduced, and scale breaks down.

Consider what this looks like in practice: an operator running several hundred wells closes their month-end cycle in three to four weeks. A comparable operator with connected back-office workflows closes in under two. The difference isn’t headcount or systems — it’s coordination. And that gap shows up directly in cash flow, billing accuracy, and how much of your team’s time goes toward execution versus reconciliation.

The workflows most affected include joint interest billing, revenue reconciliation, regulatory reporting, and land and ownership updates. Industry data consistently points to financial reconciliation as one of the highest time sinks in oil and gas back-office operations — and one of the most preventable.

Why Most Automation Initiatives Stall

Most organizations approach back-office efficiency as a technology problem — deploy a new tool, add a new platform, automate a specific task. But without structured, connected workflows underneath, new tools inherit the same fragmentation they were meant to solve.

The failure points are consistent regardless of company size or approach:

  • • Inconsistent data across systems that forces manual reconciliation at every handoff
  • • Undefined process ownership that creates delays when exceptions arise
  • • Reliance on institutional knowledge that doesn’t scale
  • • Manual work baked into daily operations that automation can’t reach because the workflows aren’t connected

What looks like a technology gap is almost always a workflow gap. And closing that gap is what determines whether any back-office investment — in systems, in staff, or in outside support — actually delivers a return.

AI’s Role Is Not Replacement. It Is Orchestration.

The highest-value AI deployments are not replacing systems. They are orchestrating workflows across them.

This shift is gaining momentum. According to industry research, the oil and gas automation market is projected to grow to over $32 billion by 2030 — and the operators driving that investment aren’t ripping out their ERPs. They’re building coordination layers on top of them. Companies that automate AP and back-office workflows are already seeing processing time drop significantly, with billing cycles that previously took weeks compressing to days.

AI-powered workflow layers coordinate processes across oil and gas accounting, land administration, regulatory compliance, and production systems — transforming how oil and gas back-office operations function.

Instead of:

  • • reconciling across multiple systems manually
  • • waiting for information to move between teams
  • • resolving errors after the fact

Operators can:

  • • automate cross-system workflows
  • • validate data continuously
  • • identify exceptions in real time

This is operational infrastructure, not experimentation.

How Leading Operators Are Closing the Gap

The operators gaining ground aren’t doing anything exotic. They’re taking the systems they already depend on and building the connective layer that makes them work together.

The results are measurable:

  • • faster billing and revenue cycles
  • • fewer discrepancies and rework
  • • reduced manual coordination
  • • more efficient use of internal teams

More importantly, those gains compound. When your oil and gas asset management workflows are connected — from production accounting through owner relations support — every improvement in one area reinforces the next.

This reflects a broader evolution in how operators think about oil and gas back-office operations: not as a collection of standalone systems, but as connected infrastructure working in concert. The same shift is driving how companies approach land administration, regulatory compliance, and owner relations support, moving away from siloed processes toward integrated, automated workflows that span the entire back office.

Where Valor Comes In

AI at the wellhead will continue to advance. But the largest operational gains in 2026 aren’t happening in the field — they’re happening in the workflows that run the business. Faster cycles. Fewer errors. Real-time visibility. All without ripping out the systems operators already depend on.

At Valor, this is exactly what we build. We help oil and gas operators — from single-well independents to large-scale operators running 10,000+ wells — create the connective layer between their existing systems. Our team handles everything from oil and gas accounting and JIB to land administration, regulatory compliance, and owner relations support, automating the workflows that sit between platforms so your teams can scale more efficiently and operate with real-time visibility.

If your systems are in place but your workflows aren’t working together, that gap has a real cost. Let’s close it.

Contact Valor Today

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Mar. 23, 2026

Posted on by Valor

March 23, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • The fallout from oil’s surge is spreading as forecasts for crude keep rising
  • Summary: Brent and WTI crude have soared over 40% in a month, with Brent trading at $108.87 and WTI at $99.20 as Middle East conflict disrupts 20% of global seaborne refined products. Delta and American Airlines each anticipate a $400 million increase in first-quarter fuel costs, as jet fuel swap prices nearly doubled to over $4.23 per gallon. While national diesel averages crossed $5 per gallon, analysts from Citi and Saudi officials warn that prolonged disruptions through June could push crude prices as high as $180 to $200 per barrel.
  • Read more
  • The oil prices you see do not tell market’s real story
  • Summary: While Brent futures hover around $110, physical oil prices have disconnected from “paper” markets, with the Oman benchmark soaring to $162 and Murban crude topping $145. This gap persists as the U.S. exhausts its “arsenal” to curb futures through emergency stockpile releases and potential sanctions relief, even as 17 million barrels of daily Middle Eastern flows remain disrupted. Consequently, the global economy faces an inflationary shock larger than futures suggest, with jet fuel exceeding $200 a barrel and U.S. diesel prices surpassing $5.
  • Read more
  • U.S drillers add oil rigs for second week in a row as prices soar
  • Summary: The U.S. oil rig count rose for the second consecutive week to 414, even as the total rig count fell by one to 552 following a decline in gas and miscellaneous units. While domestic crude production dipped by 10,000 bpd to 13.668 million bpd, Permian Basin activity increased to 243 active rigs amid extreme market volatility. Despite policy interventions and potential SPR releases, Brent holds near $110 and WTI near $97 as the Strait of Hormuz remains only partially operational with long-term infrastructure damage.
  • Read more
  • EIA refines estimates for Permian tight oil and shale gas production
  • Summary: The EIA updated its Permian Basin geologic estimates in March 2026, adding the Avalon, Barnett, Dean, and Woodford plays while removing the Delaware and Yeso-Glorieta formations. These adjustments resulted in a net increase of 0.2 million b/d for tight oil and 0.8 Bcf/d for shale gas production in 2025, with total December outputs reaching 6.0 million b/d and 22.2 Bcf/d respectively. While the newly added unconventional plays have doubled oil production since 2022, the Spraberry, Bone Spring, and Wolfcamp formations continue to drive the majority of the region’s record-breaking supply.
  • Read more
  • Natural gas prices in Texas plunge deep into negative territory
  • Summary: West Texas Waha spot prices plummeted to a record low of -$9.75 per MMBtu, forcing Permian producers to pay for gas removal while flaring events reached five-year highs. This regional glut contrasts sharply with a global energy crisis where European futures jumped 35% to €70/MWh and Asian spot prices reached $26 per MMBtu due to the Iran war. With Iranian strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan sidelining 17% of its LNG exports for up to five years, Asia has begun energy rationing and a shift toward coal to manage the critical supply shortfall.
  • Read more
  • Vision Oil and Gas expands with the acquisition of 320 wells in the Anadarko Basin
  • Summary: Vision Oil and Gas acquired 320 gas wells in the Anadarko Basin and 114 oil wells across five Permian counties, marking its 14th acquisition since June 2025. The company expects to stabilize production at 10,000 to 15,000 MCFE daily from the Mid-Continent wells and increase Permian output to 200 BOPD through intervention efforts. Supported by high WTI prices amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, the firm projected $14.2 million in 2026 sales and targeted a 1,000 BOPD production goal and an NYSE uplist by year-end.
  • Read more
  • Texas leads nation in oil, gas jobs
  • Summary: Texas led the U.S. in energy employment with 476,777 direct jobs in 2025, accounting for nearly a quarter of the 2,043,859 industry professionals nationwide. The sector supported 36% of the state’s economy through a $385 billion Gross Regional Product and paid a record $27 billion in state taxes and royalties. Despite a slight dip in year-over-year employment, Texas hit record production levels of 2.1 billion barrels of oil and 13.5 trillion cubic feet of gas while offering average annual wages of $133,439.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Mar. 16, 2026

Posted on by Valor

March 16, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Waha gas prices turn negative for record 25th straight day
  • Summary: Natural gas prices at the Waha Hub in West Texas hit a record 25th consecutive day in negative territory, with cash prices falling as low as minus $7.15/MMBtu, as insufficient pipeline takeaway capacity continues to strand associated gas in the basin. Analysts at EBW Analytics expect negative pricing to persist through much of spring, with near-term production curtailments possible. Relief is anticipated when new pipelines, including the Blackcomb system, come online in the second half of 2026.
  • Read more

  • Goldman Sachs hikes Brent oil forecast to over $100 for March
  • Summary: Goldman Sachs raised its Brent Crude forecast to an average above $100 per barrel for March, citing ongoing supply disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict. The bank warned that if Strait of Hormuz disruptions extend from weeks to months, Q4 Brent could average as high as $93 per barrel with near-term spikes above $100. A coordinated IEA emergency release of 400 million barrels and a U.S. waiver on stranded Russian crude have so far failed to meaningfully rein in prices.
  • Read more

  • U.S. drillers add oil and gas rigs for second week in a row
  • Summary: The U.S. oil and gas rig count rose by two to 553 for the week ending March 13 — its highest level since November 2025 — marking the first back-to-back weekly gain since early February, according to Baker Hughes. Oil rigs climbed to 412 and gas rigs to 133, with the Haynesville reaching a count not seen since May 2023. Despite the uptick, the total rig count remains roughly 7% below year-ago levels.
  • Read more

  • U.S. natural gas production reached a new record in 2025
  • Summary: U.S. marketed natural gas production averaged a record 118.5 Bcf/d in 2025, a gain of 5.3 Bcf/d from the prior year, according to the EIA. The Appalachia, Permian, and Haynesville regions drove 81% of that growth, with Permian output rising 11% to 27.7 Bcf/d as associated gas from oil-directed drilling continued to climb. A 60% rise in Henry Hub spot prices in 2025 to $3.52/MMBtu contributed to production growth across all regions.
  • Read more

  • Annual U.S. crude oil exports decrease for first time since 2021
  • Summary: U.S. crude oil exports fell approximately 3% in 2025 to 4.0 million barrels per day — the first annual decrease since 2021 — despite domestic production hitting a record 13.6 million bpd. Exports declined to both Europe and the Asia-Oceania region, with volumes to China dropping sharply, while shipments to Nigeria, India, and Japan increased. A larger drop in imports brought net U.S. crude oil imports down from 2.5 million b/d in 2024 to 2.2 million b/d in 2025.
  • Read more

  • BOEM releases updated assessment of undiscovered U.S. offshore resources
  • Summary: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released its 2026 National Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources, estimating a mean of 65.80 billion barrels of oil and 218.43 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in technically recoverable resources across the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf — representing roughly 100 or more years of offshore production at current rates. The Gulf of America leads with 26.9 billion barrels of undiscovered oil, followed by Alaska at 24.1 billion barrels. The figures represent a modest decrease of approximately 4% for oil and 5% for gas from the 2021 assessment.
  • Read more

  • BP wins key approval for Kaskida deepwater project in U.S. Gulf
  • Summary: BP received federal approval for its Kaskida deepwater project in the Gulf — the company’s first full-scale new field development in the region since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The $5 billion project targets a section of seafloor estimated to hold up to 10 billion barrels and is expected to begin initial crude production in 2029. The field had remained undeveloped since its discovery nearly 20 years ago due to extreme pressure and geological complexity that required technological advances to unlock.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

The Biggest AI Opportunity for Mineral Owners Isn’t in the Field

Posted on by Valor

The energy industry’s AI conversation has a blind spot.

Every headline in 2026 points to the same story: autonomous rigs, predictive maintenance, AI-optimized reservoirs. Field-level innovation is real, and it’s delivering results. But for mineral rights owners, royalty interest holders, family offices, banks, and institutions with energy assets, the biggest AI opportunity isn’t at the wellhead.

It’s in the workflows that connect everything else.

The Back Office Has Been the Bottleneck

Managing mineral and working interests means reconciling revenue from dozens of operators, tracking lease terms across multiple states, monitoring regulatory deadlines, and ensuring every royalty payment is accurate and defensible. For most of the industry’s history, that meant manual effort — and manual effort means risk.

The AI in oil and gas market is projected to grow from $4 billion in 2025 to over $7.5 billion by 2030, according to a March 2026 report from Research and Markets. Much of that growth isn’t coming from drilling floors. It’s coming from organizations that recognize back-office transformation is just as strategically important as what happens in the field.

Mineral management is overdue for this shift.

Automation Where It Actually Matters

The best AI implementations don’t start with the hardest problems. They start with the high-volume, detail-intensive work that consumes the most time and creates the most exposure — lease expirations, revenue discrepancies, regulatory deadlines, owner reporting. Automating these workflows doesn’t just save time. It changes the quality of decisions mineral owners can make and how quickly they can make them.

That’s the difference between managing assets reactively and managing them with complete visibility.

Why Most Internal Efforts Stall

Here’s the honest reality: deploying AI well is harder than buying it.

Successful automation in mineral management requires clean, consolidated data before anything else. Ownership records, lease documentation, revenue history — if those foundations aren’t in place, even sophisticated tools produce results you can’t trust. Most organizations that try to build this internally hit that wall. What looks like a technology problem turns out to be an organizational one.

For many organizations, the more practical path is working with a mineral management partner that has already built the data and workflow infrastructure required for reliable automation.

The Infrastructure Is Already Here

Mineral owners don’t have to start from scratch. Purpose-built platforms that combine automated workflows, integrated data environments, and professional oversight are already delivering measurable results.

At Valor, our mineral.tech® software brings production data, revenue tracking, lease documentation, ownership records, and regulatory information into a single audit-ready environment. Our certified land and accounting team provides the professional oversight that turns platform outputs into defensible decisions — particularly for institutional clients who answer to boards, beneficiaries, and regulators alike.

The result is what mineral management should look like in 2026: faster decisions, greater accuracy, and full visibility into asset performance.

The Bottom Line

AI in the field gets the headlines. AI in the back office is where mineral owners actually capture the value.

The foundation to do it right already exists. The question is whether you’re using it.

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today to learn how AI-powered mineral management solutions can protect and grow your assets.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Mar. 9, 2026

Posted on by Valor

March 9, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict disrupts supply
  • Summary: Oil prices eclipsed $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022 as Brent surged 16.5% to $107.97 and WTI reached $106.22 following intensified conflict in the Middle East. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded 15 million barrels of daily supply, forcing producers like Iraq and Kuwait to cut output as storage capacities hit their limits. Domestic energy costs spiked alongside futures, with U.S. gas prices rising 47 cents to $3.45 a gallon while natural gas rose to $3.33 per 1,000 cubic feet.
  • Read more
  • U.S drillers add oil rigs as WTI jumps 14%
  • Summary: The U.S. rig count rose by one to 551 this week as oil rigs increased by four to 411, their highest level since February. While gas rigs fell by two to 132, WTI and Brent crude prices surged over 20% weekly to $92.22 and $94.10 respectively, driven by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the price spike, weekly domestic crude production edged down by 6,000 bpd to 13.696 million bpd, though Frac Spread completions rose by seven crews as the Permian Basin reached 241 active rigs.
  • Read more
  • Permian Resources forecasts 2026 oil production of up to 192,000 barrels per day
  • Summary: Permian Resources forecast 2026 oil production between 186,000 and 192,000 bpd following a fourth quarter average of 188,633 bpd and a 14% reduction in costs to $700 per foot. The company plans to spend $1.75 billion to $1.95 billion in capital expenditures to turn in line 250 gross wells, with 65% of activity focused in New Mexico. As the second largest Permian pure-play, the firm holds 480,000 net acres and has the financial capacity to pursue up to $3 billion in additional acquisitions through 2027 without significant debt.
  • Read more
  • G7 finance ministers meet to discuss releasing emergency oil reserves
  • Summary: G7 finance ministers held emergency talks on March 9, 2026, to discuss a coordinated release of 300 to 400 million barrels of oil from IEA strategic reserves. The meeting followed a 25% surge in Brent crude to a high of $119.50 per barrel, triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure. While the proposed release represents roughly 30% of global reserves, markets remained volatile as Japan’s Nikkei 225 plummeted 5% and European indexes fell over 1.4% amid fears of an unprecedented global energy crisis.
  • Read more
  • OPEC+ agrees to modest oil output boost amid shipping disruptions
  • Summary: OPEC+ agreed to a modest 206,000 bpd production increase for April, ending a three-month pause even as disruptions to key shipping routes have constrained crude flows. Although some members have spare capacity, limited transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor for about 20% of global oil, has reduced Gulf shipments and lifted Brent crude toward $80 per barrel. Analysts say that this roughly 0.2% supply boost is unlikely to stabilize markets if navigation challenges persist, with prices potentially rising above $100 per barrel if disruptions continue.
  • Read more
  • Texas leads nation again as oil and natural gas output hits all-time high
  • Summary: Texas dominated the U.S. energy sector in 2025, producing a record 2.1 billion barrels of oil and 13.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas while supporting 476,777 direct jobs. The industry’s $385 billion direct Gross Regional Product accounted for 36% of the state’s economy, with average annual oil and gas wages reaching $133,439. Nationally, the sector sustained over 2 million direct jobs and purchased $722 billion in goods and services, as U.S. LNG exports reached 89.1 million metric tons to support global allies.
  • Read more
  • LNG futures climb 7% for the week as Middle East crisis continues
  • Summary: U.S. LNG futures rose 3.5% on Friday to $3.05 per MMBtu, marking a 7% weekly gain as conflict in the Middle East disrupted global energy markets. While the shutdown of Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant triggered massive price spikes in Europe and Asia, U.S. prices remained relatively stable due to domestic energy independence and high production levels. Despite geopolitical “war premiums” and cooler weather driving recent demand, warmer forecasts for the coming week are expected to limit further domestic price increases.
  • Read more
  • Crude oil prices pressured by bearish EIA inventory report
  • Summary: WTI crude fell 0.74% to $90.35 following an EIA report showing U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.48 million barrels to a nine-month high, exceeding the 3.0-million-barrel build expected by analysts. Despite the bearish domestic data, gasoline reached a 19.5-month high as Iranian threats to “set fire” to ships in the Strait of Hormuz drove a $18 per barrel geopolitical risk premium. Global supply remains constrained by the closure of the Ju’aymah terminal and a major fire at the UAE’s Fujairah hub, even as OPEC+ agreed to a larger-than-expected 206,000 bpd output boost for April.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Mar. 2, 2026

Posted on by Valor

March 2, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Oil markets brace for volatility amid Middle East supply instability risks
  • Summary: Oil prices climbed after escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted key supply routes and heightened concerns about regional stability. Brent and WTI crude jumped roughly 9% to $79.41 and $72.79 respectively on Monday, following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor that carries about 20% of global oil flows. While OPEC+ signaled a 206,000 bpd output increase to help offset potential shortfalls, analysts caution that prolonged disruption to the 15 million barrels per day moving through the chokepoint could push prices toward $100 per barrel.
  • Read more
  • Conocophillips considers selling Permian assets worth $2B
  • Summary: ConocoPhillips is exploring the sale of Delaware Basin assets valued at approximately $2 billion as part of a strategy to streamline its portfolio following the $22.5 billion acquisition of Marathon Oil. The company, which has already closed $3.2 billion in divestitures during 2025, aims to reach a total asset-sale target of $5 billion by the end of 2026 to optimize its core high-return operations. While interest is expected from both strategic and private equity suitors, deliberations remain in the early stages with no guarantee that the Houston-based producer will proceed with the transaction.
  • Read more
  • Global gas markets shocked as Qatar ceases LNG production
  • Summary: Global gas markets surged after LNG production was suspended at a major export hub amid regional security concerns, removing roughly 20% of global supply from the market. The halt triggered a 50% spike in European Dutch TTF gas prices to over €46/MWh, while Asian JKM benchmarks rose 39% to $15.068 per MMBtu. Brent crude also climbed 13% to $82 per barrel as traders reacted to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and precautionary shutdowns affecting multiple production facilities. The disruption leaves global buyers facing a significant supply gap with no confirmed timeline for full operations to resume.
  • Read more
  • U.S. drillers cut oil and gas rigs for first time in six weeks, says Baker Hughes
  • Summary: U.S. energy firms reduced the total oil and gas rig count by one to 550 for the week ending February 27, the first decline in six weeks. Oil rigs fell by two to 407—the lowest since December—while gas rigs rose by one to 134, marking their highest level since July 2023. Despite this 7% year-over-year drop in activity, the EIA projects 2026 crude output will hold at 13.6 million bpd, while natural gas production is expected to reach a record 110.0 bcfd amid a forecast 22% jump in spot prices.
  • Read more
  • OPEC+ agrees to modest oil output boost amid shipping disruptions
  • Summary: OPEC+ agreed to a modest 206,000 bpd production increase for April, ending a three-month pause even as disruptions to key shipping routes have constrained crude flows. Although some members have spare capacity, limited transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor for about 20% of global oil, has reduced Gulf shipments and lifted Brent crude toward $80 per barrel. Analysts say that this roughly 0.2% supply boost is unlikely to stabilize markets if navigation challenges persist, with prices potentially rising above $100 per barrel if disruptions continue.
  • Read more
  • Cheniere’s profit soars by 64% in 2025 as LNG demand jumps
  • Summary: Cheniere Energy reported a 64% surge in 2025 net income to $5.33 billion, driven by record exports of 670 LNG cargoes and a 27% revenue increase to $19.98 billion. The company reached a milestone of 4,610 total cargoes on its 10th anniversary while completing four of seven trains at its Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion. For 2026, Cheniere projects adjusted EBITDA between $6.75 billion and $7.25 billion as it anticipates finishing the remaining three trains to meet sustained demand from Europe and Asia.
  • Read more
  • infinity completes $1.2B Utica acquisition from Antero
  • Summary: Infinity Natural Resources finalized the $1.2 billion purchase of 71,000 net acres and 141 miles of midstream assets in the Ohio Utica Shale from Antero. The deal, funded partly by a $350 million equity investment from Quantum and Carnelian, increases Infinity’s basin footprint to 102,000 net acres and 575 total drilling locations. While Infinity plans a two-rig program for 2026, Antero is utilizing the proceeds to high-grade its Marcellus portfolio through a $2.8 billion acquisition of HG Energy, targeting a 2026 production average of 4.1 Bcfe/d.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Valor | Energy Connection – Feb. 23, 2026

Posted on by Valor

February 23, 2026 Edition

At Valor, our goal is to keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the oil and gas industry. We are committed to sharing the insights and knowledge that our team gathers to help you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. From mergers and acquisitions to regulatory changes and technological advancements, we cover all the key developments that impact the industry. Stay tuned for weekly updates to keep you well-informed.

  • Brazos starts up new gas processing plant in Midland Basin
  • Summary: Brazos Midstream has commissioned Sundance II, a 300 MMcfd cryogenic plant in Martin County, expanding its Midland Basin footprint across seven Texas counties. The company also began construction on the 300 MMcfd Cassidy I facility in Glasscock County, which will increase total Midland processing capacity to 800 MMcfd by late 2026. These projects, supported by 375,000 dedicated acres, aim to raise Brazos’ total Permian capacity from 1 billion cfd to approximately 1.3 billion cfd this year.
  • Read more
  • U.S. oil drilling activity still going nowhere
  • Summary: The total number of active U.S. drilling rigs remained stagnant at 551 this week, representing a year-over-year decrease of 41 units according to Baker Hughes data. While oil and gas rig counts held steady at 409 and 133 respectively, weekly domestic crude production rose by 22,000 bpd to reach an average of 13.735 million bpd. Despite the flat rig count, Frac Spread crews increased by 8, and the Permian Basin saw a slight rise of 1 rig as Brent and WTI futures traded lower at $71.40 and $66.15.
  • Read more
  • Oil holds near six-month high
  • Summary: WTI and Brent settled at $66.48 and $71.76 respectively as Middle East supply tensions and a 9-million-barrel drop in US crude stockpiles supported prices near six-month highs. Escalating geopolitical risk in the region, which produces over 3 million barrels daily, raised concerns over potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite a 5.6% weekly gain, market indicators like wide backwardation and bullish options skews signal expectations for further tightening, as regional tensions show little sign of easing near-term.
  • Read more
  • After years of buybacks, big oil is drilling again
  • Summary: Oil supermajors are shifting strategy from shareholder distributions and low-carbon ventures toward expanding oil and gas reserves due to sustained global demand and slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption. This pivot follows the International Energy Agency walking back its pre-2030 peak oil demand prediction, prompting companies like Shell and BP to prioritize growth and acquisitions to ensure long-term dividend sustainability. Despite a 20% drop in oil prices last year, investors are encouraging this refocus on core upstream operations as Rystad Energy forecasts a year of energy abundance in 2026.
  • Read more
  • U.S. natural gas pipeline capacity set for biggest buildout since 2008
  • Summary: The U.S. natural gas industry is projected to add between 18 and 22 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity in 2026, marking the largest annual expansion since 31 Bcf/d was added in 2008. This massive buildout includes 12 to 22 new projects across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, driven by a 20% compound annual growth rate in Permian associated gas and rising LNG export demand. Regulatory shifts, including the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act and expedited NEPA reviews as short as 14 days, are accelerating infrastructure meant to relieve Permian price volatility that saw Waha spot prices hit negative $8.790/MMBtu.
  • Read more
  • Natural gas price nears $3.05 as bomb cyclone and supply stress collide
  • Summary: Natural gas futures rose to $3.05 per MMBtu as a severe bomb cyclone threatens the U.S. East Coast with heavy snow and 50 mph winds. While domestic production remains resilient, a record storage withdrawal of 360 Bcf during Winter Storm Fern in January has left inventories 5.6% below the five-year average. Globally, Turkish spot prices at 14,583 lira ($9–$10/MMBtu equivalent) and Colombia’s 23% year-over-year production drop highlight a structural supply squeeze. Despite these bullish indicators, European TTF and UK gas prices fell roughly 5% today, reflecting a stabilized medium-term equilibrium compared to the high-beta volatility currently impacting Henry Hub.
  • Read more
  • Japan’s $36 billion bet on U.S. energy dominance
  • Summary: Japan has committed $36 billion as the first tranche of a $550-billion investment pledge, headlined by plans to build a 9.2 GW natural gas power plant in Ohio. Operated by SB Energy, this facility aims to meet surging AI-driven data center demand, which contributed to a 2.1% rise in U.S. electricity use in 2025. The funding also supports the Texas GulfLink deepwater port, designed to export 1 million barrels of crude daily and generate up to $30 billion in annual revenue.
  • Read more

Contact Valor Today

Contact us today if you need help outsourcing your oil and gas operations.

The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.