Oil & Gas

January 6, 2021

The “Best” of 2020

<em>Energy Valuation Insights’</em> Top Blog Posts

As we hope for a better 2021, we look back at 2020 to see what was popular with you ­– our readers.  Below is a list of some of our top posts of 2020.

Energy Valuations: Freefall Into Bankruptcy Or Is This Time Different?

2020’s challenges were apparent early in the year.  In this post, Bryce Erickson discusses whether the headwinds are a temporary blip, or whether these issues portend a wave of bankruptcies for the industry.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, or the United States – Did One of the Players Blink?

This post from April discusses some of the initial fallout from the Saudi / Russian price war, and came just days before the historic decline of WTI into negative territory.

Royalties and Minerals: A New Market Is Emerging

2020 delivered some jarring blows to players in the mineral and royalty space. Although this asset class enjoys certain benefits relative to oil and gas producers, its value is still connected to commodity prices. The recent swing downward has staggered market participants and quickly changed several assumptions regarding a sense of normalcy. In this post, Bryce Erickson discusses the sector with Chris Atherton, the CEO of EnergyNet, which is one of the largest private mineral transaction platforms in the market.

Impairment Testing of Oil & Gas Reserves

The oil & gas market and the energy sector as a whole took a beating during 2020 and experienced unprecedented events due to the global impacts from the pandemic and international price wars. Companies are having to question and consider the need for interim impairment testing on reserves. This post will help oil & gas companies discern whether they may need to make interim impairment assessments and to understand the impairment testing process.

Oil Frackers Are Breaking Records Again – In Bankruptcy Court

In an unfortunate answer to the first post featured above, it was not different.  In this post, Bryce Erickson discusses the volume of E&P bankruptcies observed during 2020.

Conclusion

2020 was a challenging year in the energy space that most are eager to leave behind.  We look forward to 2021 and appreciate your interest in this blog. May you and your family enjoy a happy and prosperous year!

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Mercer Capital Sponsors ASA Houston’s 2026 Energy Valuation Conference
Mercer Capital Sponsors ASA Houston’s 2026 Energy Valuation Conference
Mercer Capital is pleased to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Energy Valuation Conference, hosted by the Houston Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers. The conference will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Briar Club in Houston, Texas, with both in-person attendance and live webcast options available. Bryce Erickson, ASA, MRICS; J. David Smith, CFA, ASA; and Andrew B. Frew, ASA, ABV, will attend on behalf of Mercer Capital.Now in its 16th year, the Energy Valuation Conference brings together appraisers, accountants, financial analysts, petroleum engineers, and many other professionals working across the energy sector. The conference is designed as a multi-disciplinary forum addressing valuation techniques and issues across the energy industry, including upstream, midstream, downstream, renewables, power generation, tax, governance, and emerging market considerations.This year’s program will address a range of current valuation topics affecting the energy industry, including energy transition, transaction activity, capital markets, and valuation considerations across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.Bryce Erickson is a Managing Director at Mercer Capital and leads the firm’s energy industry practice. Since 1998, he has led approximately one thousand engagements across diverse purposes, including gift and estate tax planning, litigation support, mergers and acquisitions, buyouts, buy-sell agreements, financial reporting, purchase price allocation, financing, and business planning. He regularly publishes on oil and gas industry topics in Mercer Capital’s Energy Valuation Insights blog. He is also a contributor to Forbes.com’s Energy sector.J. David Smith is a Senior Vice President at Mercer Capital and a senior member of the firm’s energy practice. He provides valuation services for tax planning, transactional purposes, and financial reporting. David is also a regular contributor to Mercer Capital’s Energy Valuation Insights blog.Andrew B. Frew is a Vice President at Mercer Capital and has nearly 25 years of business valuation experience. He has been involved with hundreds of valuation and related engagements across numerous industries and values businesses and business interests for gift and estate tax, charitable giving, buy/sell agreements, mergers and acquisitions, business succession and exit planning, and litigation support purposes. Andy also contributes regularly to Mercer Capital’s Energy Valuation Insights blog.Mercer Capital works with energy companies, mineral and royalty owners, oilfield services businesses, investors, attorneys, accountants, and other advisors on valuation and financial advisory matters. The firm provides business valuation, asset valuation, litigation support, transaction advisory, financial reporting valuation, and tax valuation services across the energy sector, helping clients address complex financial questions with clear, independent, and well-supported analysis.Mercer Capital looks forward to supporting the conference and connecting with energy valuation professionals and industry leaders in Houston. Additional information about the 2026 Energy Valuation Conference is available at https://energyvaluationconference.org/.For more information about Mercer Capital’s experience and expertise in the oil & gas sector, visit https://mercercapital.com/industries/energy-power/oil-gas/.
EP First Quarter 2026 Eagle Ford
E&P First Quarter 2026

Region Focus: Eagle Ford

Eagle Ford // The Eagle Ford exhibited modest production growth over the past year, broadly in line with other major basins, as output remained within a relatively narrow range. This stability reflects the basin’s maturity, with limited variability in production despite declining rig counts and continued capital discipline among operators.
Just Released: Q1 2026 Oil & Gas Industry Newsletter
Just Released: Q1 2026 Oil & Gas Industry Newsletter

Region Focus: Eagle Ford

The Eagle Ford exhibited modest production growth over the past year, broadly in line with other major basins, as output remained within a relatively narrow range. This stability reflects the basin’s maturity, with limited variability in production despite declining rig counts and continued capital discipline among operators.

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