Shortage of frack sand hinders growth in the oil patch
Tight supplies of frack sand are setting back drillers' efforts to ramp up production to capitalize...
Tight supplies of frack sand are setting back drillers' efforts to ramp up production to capitalize on high oil prices and the shortage has pushed spot prices for a ton of sand from last year's $20 to $25, to $50 to $70 currently, according to Rystad Energy. Tall City Exploration CEO Michael Oestmann blamed a shortage of truck drivers and a reduced workforce in mines for the tight market, and said his company is considering transporting frack sand by rail.
Natural gas futures jumped more than 18 cents trading at $4.49...
Natural gas futures jumped more than 18 cents trading at $4.49 this morning, hitting an earlier intraday high of $4.62, which is a nearly two-week high, on forecasts for colder temperatures and higher heating demand through early March. Traders noted the price increase came despite the continued slow return of U.S. production from cold weather-related reductions over the past month, and a 9% drop in European gas futures due to what looks like an easing of tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
The energy sector is off to a higher start, supported by strength in the underlying commodities but pressured...
The energy sector is off to a higher start, supported by strength in the underlying commodities but pressured by the major equity futures which are trading lower as investors wait for minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting. The market is also digesting consumer data released this morning which show retail sales surged 3.8% in January, much more than expected amid inflation rise. Western skepticism over Russian claims of a withdrawal of some troops near Ukraine kept caution in the air as U.S President Joe Biden said there was no proof of a pullback yet. Additionally, Kyiv hinted at Russian involvement in a cyber-attack on Ukraine’s defense ministry website.
Continental Resources Stock Drops on Expected Higher Spending for 2022
Shares of shale oil producer Continental Resources Inc. fell as much as 8% on Feb....
Shares of shale oil producer Continental Resources Inc. fell as much as 8% on Feb. 15 after the company gave a 2022 outlook that included higher-than-expected spending and lower-than-expected oil and gas volumes.
Shares were off around 7% at $53.26 in afternoon trading. The decline exceeded the roughly 3.8% drop in other oil shares as U.S. crude futures fell to $91.47/bbl on hopes for an easing of tensions in Eastern Europe.
After the market close on Feb. 14, Continental said it expects to spend $2.3 billion in 2022, above analysts' forecasts for around $2.14 billion. Last year its capital spending totaled $1.56 billion.
Brigham Minerals to Acquire Midland Basin Position Operated by Pioneer, Endeavor
Brigham Minerals...
Brigham Minerals Inc. recently agreed to a cash-and-stock mineral acquisition in the Midland Basin largely operated by Pioneer Natural Resources and Endeavor Energy Resources.
The transaction, estimated by Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. (TPH) analysts to be valued around $32.5 million, checks all the boxes Brigham Mineral requires for “large deals” including both near-term cash flow per share and NAV accretion, according to CEO Robert M. (Rob) Roosa.
“We remain extremely focused on capturing and creating value through consolidation and are pleased that our disciplined underwriting has been rewarded with acquisitions of over $120 million in the past three months,” Roosa commented in a recent company release.
