US Oil Growth Faces Headwinds as Shale Producers Cut Spending

Major U.S. shale producers are dialing back capital expenditures in key basins even as crude prices remain elevated, prioritizing shareholder returns, debt reduction, and free cash flow over rapid production growth. This capital discipline is creating headwinds for U.S. oil supply expansion at a time when global markets continue to seek reliable barrels. According to […]

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Diamondback Energy’s new Midland Basin wells’ results are rising, not sputtering out. SM Energy’s Midland results are overcoming the E&P’s “science-heavy” spell.

In the heart of the Midland Basin, two pure-play Permian operators are delivering a clear message in mid-2026: well productivity is holding up—and in key cases improving—amid ongoing efficiency gains across the broader Permian. Recent Hart Energy/Oil and Gas Investor analysis highlights Diamondback Energy’s (FANG) new Midland Basin wells showing a strong rebound in early […]

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US Weekly Rig Count Up Slightly

The latest WellDatabase US Rig Report (dated August 7, 2026) shows the national active rig count rising modestly by 3 week-over-week to 583, up 42 from the same period a year earlier. Oil-directed rigs accounted for the bulk of activity at 427 (+1), with gas-directed rigs holding steady at 127 and smaller contributions from thermal […]

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ExxonMobil and Chevron Post Huge Profit and Revenue: Implications for Consumers and Investors

In the second quarter of 2026, ExxonMobil and Chevron delivered blockbuster earnings, fueled by elevated oil prices stemming from the ongoing Iran conflict and associated supply disruptions in the Middle East, including pressures around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea. These results highlight the resilience of the U.S. majors’ integrated portfolios amid geopolitical volatility, […]

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