Corporate Valuation, Oil & Gas

March 11, 2022

Themes from Q4 Earnings Calls

Part 3: Oilfield Service Companies

Last month, we reviewed Q1 through Q3 2021 earnings call themes from oilfield service companies. Commentary regarding the progress of ESG efforts, whether initiated by the OFS companies themselves or in support of their customers' ESG programs, was prevalent throughout the year. OFS management teams also noted their anticipation of increased industry consolidation by way of M&A activity. Perhaps most poignantly over the first three quarters of 2021, OFS companies signaled increasing leverage in their ability to either start commanding higher prices of their customers, or the expectation they would be able to do so in the very near term.

In Part 1 of our Themes from Q4 Earnings Calls, we examined key topics among E&P operators, including:

  • Projections of moderate cost inflation, typically in the upper single digits;
  • Shifting focus towards liquids, including crude oil and NGL streams; and
  • Industry headwinds stemming from macro energy policies in the U.S.
In Part 2 of our Themes from Q4 Earnings Calls, key topics among mineral aggregators included:
  • Greater scrutiny and discipline regarding the execution of M&A deals;
  • Expectations of relatively stagnant production in the near-term; and
  • Greater insulation from price inflation relative to the impact on E&P operators.
With this background in mind, we focus this week on the key takeaways from the OFS operator Q4 2021 earnings calls.

Macro Headwinds

Labor shortages and supply chain constraints have been a common topic in the daily news cycle regarding the macroeconomic environment in the U.S.  Suffice it to say, the OFS industry has not been immune to these factors.

  • "You know the story of tubulars people are struggling to get the right tubulars on time. They are having to make substitutions. We are seeing some rig efficiencies begin to deteriorate, which is attributable to several factors. Part of that, of course, is the basins. Different basins have different efficiency profiles. But I think our view is activities at the rig side have slowed down, all things being equal, strictly because of problems with personnel breakdowns. I think the industry is a bit stressed right now." – Scott Bender, President & CEO, Cactus Wellhead
  • "Beyond activity trends, we see a continuation of many of the same things from 2021. Operators will continue to look for ways to improve efficiency and sustainability. We see the current constraints in many critical areas such as labor, sand, and trucking also continuing for the near term." – William Zartler, CEO & Chairman, Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure
  • "Productivity and efficiency was broadly encumbered by 2 significant factors. First, the tightening labor market we faced in the U.S. was exacerbated by COVID outbreaks in certain plants during the fourth quarter. As skilled workers recuperated safely at home, their work was performed by less experienced, less efficient crews or by other skilled workers working overtime. Labor shortages led to higher product costs and scheduling headaches. Second, our manufacturing scheduling headaches were compounded by component and raw material shortages and late deliveries from our vendors who are facing the same sort of challenges that we are. Some businesses report supply chain challenges are getting a little better, but mostly these disruptions are persisting or getting more challenging in the near-term." – Clay Williams, CEO, National Oilwell Varco

Industry Consolidation through M&A Activity

In our Q1 through Q3 2021 OFS earnings call themes post, we noted anticipation of greater M&A activity and industry consolidation in 2022. This continued in Q4, with the ongoing expectation of consolidation activity in the near future.

  • "We have not given up on industry consolidation. That's our number one priority. And importantly, I don't think the industry has given up on industry consolidation. Yes, the valuations are going to be higher today than they were this time last year, but our currency is also more valuable today than it was this time last year. I don't really consider that to be an impediment to getting a deal done. The impediment is finding the right deal.  ...  Private equity has decided maybe now is the time to monetize after they've probably given up hope over the last couple of years." – Scott Bender, President & CEO, Cactus Wellhead
  • "As I've stated many times, I believe consolidation is very important for this industry. Through a combination of cash and stock consideration, we closed on the acquisitions of Complete Energy Services, Agua Libre Midstream, HB Rentals and UltRecovery during 2021. Additionally, we are set to close on the acquisition of Nuverra Environmental Solutions. In doing so, we've added nearly $300 million of run rate revenues to an already growing base business and acquired strategic portfolio of infrastructure assets, including gathering and distribution pipelines, disposal facilities, and landfill operations." – John Schmitz, President & CEO, Select Energy

ESG Activity

The Q4 OFS earnings calls were peppered with commentary regarding ESG, including recognition of OFS operator initiatives from outside the industry, the mitigation of environmental impacts on local communities at present, and projections of continued demand for ESG-focused services.

  • "We announced our science-based emission reduction targets, added 11 new participating companies to Halliburton Labs and were named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which highlights the top 10% most sustainable companies in each industry." – Jeff Miller, CEO, Halliburton
  • "Overall in 2021, we recycled 25 million barrels that produced water through our fixed facilities, and we expect to continue driving these volumes higher. This recycling alleviates demand for freshwater sources in water stress regions, while also limiting waste disposal which is particularly important in areas of seismicity concerns." – Nick Swyka, CFO, Select Energy
  • "On the technology and sustainability front, we continue to advance our water recycling efforts. We've invested in six facilities during 2021 which are backed by long-term contracts. This sets the stage for a significant growth in our recycled volumes for 2022." – John Schmitz, President & CEO, Select Energy
  • "We're busy upgrading Tier 2 fleets to Tier 4 dual fuel fleets that can utilize up to 85% natural gas. And we expect the pursuit of ESG-friendly operations, efficiency gains and the industry's existing tired fleet of equipment will lead to continued demand for such rebuilds." – Jose Bayardo, CFO, National Oilwell Varco
Mercer Capital has its finger on the pulse of the OFS operator space. As the oil and gas industry evolves through these pivotal times, we take a holistic perspective to bring you thoughtful analysis and commentary regarding the full hydrocarbon stream, including the ancillary service companies that help start and keep the stream flowing. For more targeted energy sector analysis to meet your valuation needs, please contact the Mercer Capital Oil & Gas Team for further assistance.

Continue Reading

Defying the Cycle: Haynesville Production Strength in a Shifting Gas Market
Defying the Cycle: Haynesville Production Strength in a Shifting Gas Market
Haynesville shale production defied broader market softness in 2025, leading major U.S. basins with double-digit year-over-year growth despite heightened volatility and sub-cycle drilling activity. Efficiency gains, DUC drawdowns, and Gulf Coast demand dynamics allowed operators to sustain output even as natural gas prices fluctuated sharply.
Haynesville Shale M&A Update: 2025 in Review
Haynesville Shale M&A Update: 2025 in Review
Key TakeawaysHaynesville remains a strategic LNG-linked basin. 2025 transactions emphasized long-duration natural gas exposure and proximity to Gulf Coast export infrastructure, reinforcing the basin’s importance in meeting global LNG demand.International utilities drove much of the activity. Japanese power and gas companies pursued direct upstream ownership, signaling a shift from traditional offtake agreements toward greater control over U.S. gas supply.M&A was selective but meaningful in scale and intent. While overall deal volume was limited, announced transactions and reported negotiations reflected deliberate, long-term positioning rather than opportunistic shale consolidation.OverviewM&A activity in the Haynesville Shale during 2025 was marked by strategic, LNG-linked transactions and renewed international investor interest in U.S. natural gas assets. While investors remained selective relative to prior shale upcycles, transactions that did occur reflected a clear pattern: buyers focused on long-duration gas exposure, scale, and proximity to Gulf Coast export markets rather than short-term development upside.Producers and capital providers increasingly refocused efforts on the Haynesville basin during the year, including raising capital to acquire both operating assets and mineral positions. This renewed attention followed a period of subdued transaction activity and underscored the basin’s continued relevance within global natural gas portfolios.Although the Haynesville did not experience the breadth of consolidation seen in some oil-weighted plays, the size, counterparties, and strategic motivations behind 2025 transactions reinforced the basin’s role as a long-term supply source for LNG-linked demand.Announced Upstream TransactionsTokyo Gas (TG Natural Resources) / ChevronIn April 2025, Tokyo Gas Co., through its U.S. joint venture TG Natural Resources, entered into an agreement to acquire a 70% interest in Chevron’s East Texas natural gas assets for $525 million. The assets include significant Haynesville exposure and were acquired through a combination of cash consideration and capital commitments.The transaction was characterized as part of Tokyo Gas’s broader strategy to secure long-term U.S. natural gas supply and expand its upstream footprint. The deal reflects a growing trend among international utilities to obtain direct exposure to U.S. shale gas through ownership interests rather than relying solely on long-term offtake contracts or third-party supply arrangements.From an M&A perspective, the transaction highlights continued willingness among major operators to monetize non-core or minority positions while retaining operational involvement, and it underscores the Haynesville’s attractiveness to buyers with a long-term, strategic view of gas demand.JERA / Williams & GEP Haynesville IIIn October 2025, JERA Co., Japan’s largest power generator, announced an agreement to acquire Haynesville shale gas production assets from Williams Companies and GEP Haynesville II, a joint venture between GeoSouthern Energy and Blackstone. The transaction was valued at approximately $1.5 billion.This acquisition marked JERA’s first direct investment in U.S. shale gas production, representing a notable expansion of the company’s upstream exposure and reinforcing JERA’s interest in securing supply from regions with strong connectivity to U.S. LNG export infrastructure.This transaction further illustrates the appeal of the Haynesville to international buyers seeking stable, scalable gas assets and highlights the role of upstream M&A as a tool for portfolio diversification among global utilities and energy companies.Reported Negotiations (Not Announced)Mitsubishi / Aethon Energy ManagementIn June 2025, Reuters reported that Mitsubishi Corp. was in discussions to acquire Aethon Energy Management, a privately held operator with substantial Haynesville production and midstream assets. The potential transaction was reported to be valued at approximately $8 billion, though Reuters emphasized that talks were ongoing and that no deal had been finalized at the time.While the transaction was not announced during 2025, the reported discussions were notable for both their scale and the identity of the potential buyer. Aethon has long been viewed as one of the largest private platforms in the Haynesville, and any transaction involving the company would represent a significant consolidation event within the basin.The reported talks underscored the depth of international interest in Haynesville-oriented platforms and highlighted the potential for large-scale transactions even in an otherwise measured M&A environment.ConclusionWhile overall deal volume remained selective, the transactions and reported negotiations in 2025 reflected sustained global interest in U.S. natural gas assets with long-term relevance. Collectively, the transactions and negotiations discussed above point to a Haynesville M&A landscape driven less by opportunistic consolidation and more by deliberate, long-term positioning. As global energy portfolios continue to evolve, the Haynesville basin remains a focal point for strategic investment, particularly for buyers seeking exposure tied to U.S. natural gas supply and LNG export linkages.
Mineral Aggregator Valuation Multiples Study Released-Data as of 06-11-2025
Mineral Aggregator Valuation Multiples Study Released

With Market Data as of June 11, 2025

Mercer Capital has thoughtfully analyzed the corporate and capital structures of the publicly traded mineral aggregators to derive meaningful indications of enterprise value. We have also calculated valuation multiples based on a variety of metrics, including distributions and reserves, as well as earnings and production on both a historical and forward-looking basis.

Cart

Your cart is empty