Energy Valuation Insights

February 11, 2022 Special Topics Valuation Issues

Oilfield Service Valuations: Dawn Is Coming

“The dawn is coming!” This phrase comes to mind as we observe valuations and prospects for oilfield service companies. It has been tough sledding for OFS companies during COVID. At the end of 2020, rig counts were around 350 and DUC counts were high.

However, as we’ve been talking about for the past several weeks, things have changed for the positive as far as the industry is concerned, and it’s going to get better according to presenters at the recent NAPE Global Business Conference in Houston.  The current U.S. rig count is now at 613 and may be heading to 800 this year if OFS companies can fill a real labor shortage gap.

However, when it comes to valuations, assuming oilfield service companies will join the recovery has not always been true in the shale era.  That said – this time may be different.

In this week’s post, we note the past and current performance of oilfield service companies and discuss the valuation trends for the industry.

February 4, 2022 Special Topics

Meet The Team

Bryce Erickson, ASA, MRICS

In each “Meet the Team” segment, we highlight a different professional on our Energy team. This week we highlight Bryce Erickson, Senior Vice President of Mercer Capital and the leader of the oil and gas industry team. The experience and expertise of our professionals allow us to bring a full suite of valuation, transaction advisory, and litigation support services to our clients. We hope you enjoy getting to know us a bit better.

January 27, 2022 Bakken Shale Eagle Ford Shale Permian Basin Special Topics

Q1-Q3 2021 Themes From Oilfield Service Company Earnings Calls

As our readers are well aware, Mercer Capital tracks and reviews themes from the quarterly earnings calls of E&P operators and mineral aggregators, providing key insights into the upstream perspective on U.S. oil and gas. 

In this post, we look at oilfield service (OFS) company earnings calls for the first three quarters of 2021. 

January 21, 2022 Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures Special Topics

Desert Peak to Go Public via Merger With Falcon After IPO Attempt

Desert Peak Minerals and Falcon Minerals Corporation recently announced an all-stock merger, forming a pro form a ~$1.9 billion mineral aggregator company.  This comes in the wake of Desert Peak’s attempted IPO in late 2021.  In this post, we look at the transaction terms and rationale, the implied valuation for Desert Peak, and implications for the mineral/royalties space.

January 14, 2022 Special Topics Valuation Issues

What a Difference a Year Makes: Part II

Analyst Projections

We continue the “what a difference a year makes” theme, but now with a focus on analyst projections, then-and-now (then being as of year-end 2020, and now being as of year-end 2021) and energy stock valuation multiples. For the purpose of our analysis, we identified publicly traded energy companies trading on the NYSE and NASDAQ exchanges and operating in three broad areas – exploration and production (E&P), oilfield services (OFS), and midstream. So, what are the analysts expecting? Find out in this week’s post.

January 12, 2022 Marcellus and Utica Shale Special Topics Valuation Issues

What a Difference a Year Makes: Part I

Key Aspects of the Energy Industry in 2021

The close of 2021 marked the end of a long upward march for the energy sector.  With oil closing up the year at $75 and gas at nearly $4 per mmbtu, the commodity markets driving the energy sector were much more economically attractive to producers. Stock indices such as the XLE was up over 50% for 2021 and was by far the best performing sector. Rig counts rose along with prices. Crude production also rose to 11.7 million bbls/day with room to grow. In addition, OPEC+ has signaled it will continue its scheduled output growth. All of this growth is coming alongside the ascent of wind and solar. Even though the Omicron variant affected prices in December, most analysts believe that COVID won’t stop the growth. In this post, we review the industry at the end of 2021 and look forward to 2022.

December 31, 2021 Special Topics

The Best of 2021

Energy Valuation Insights’ Top Blog Posts

After an extraordinarily challenging 2020, 2021 gave Oil & Gas companies some respite and (perhaps most importantly) some optimism going into 2022.  As we enter the new year, we look back at to see what was popular with you ­– our readers.  Here is a list of some of our top posts of 2021.

December 28, 2021 Special Topics

Mercer Capital’s 2021 Energy Purchase Price Allocation Study

In Case You Missed It

Did you miss Mercer Capital’s 2021 Energy Purchase Price Allocation Study? If you did, before we move into 2022, take a look at the 2021 Study. This study researches and observes publicly available purchase price allocation data for three sub-sectors of the energy industry: (i) exploration & production; (ii) oilfield services; and (iii) midstream and downstream. 

This study is unlike any other in terms of energy industry specificity and depth. The study provides a detailed analysis and overview of valuation and accounting trends in each sub-sector. This study also enables key users and preparers of financial statements to better understand the asset mix, valuation methods, and useful life trends in the energy space as they pertain to business combinations under ASC 805 and GAAP fair value standards under ASC 820. We utilized transactions that closed and reported their purchase allocation data in calendar year 2020.

December 17, 2021 Marcellus and Utica Shale

Appalachian Production Stable Despite Price Volatility

The economics of Oil & Gas production vary by region. Mercer Capital focuses on trends in the Eagle Ford, Permian, Bakken, and Marcellus and Utica plays. In this post, we take a closer look at the trends in the Marcellus and Utica.

December 9, 2021 Marcellus and Utica Shale Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures Special Topics

M&A in Marcellus & Utica Basins

Activity in 2021 Was Muted Relative to 2020

M&A transaction activity in the Marcellus & Utica shrank in number in 2021 relative to 2020. However, the relatively greater magnitude of production density represented by the transactions in 2021 could prove to be a bellwether of more “transformational” transactions to come in 2022 as companies stake their claim in the gas and gas liquids-rich basins of Appalachia. In this week’s post we review M&A activity in 2021 including the EQT/Alta Resources and Northern Oil and Gas/Reliance transactions.