The Permian Basin Phenomenon Is Far From Over

Much has been made of the recent confidence tumble in America’s Permian Basin, the low cost and prodigious shale play that straddles Texas and New Mexico. It began when Pioneer Natural Resources announced its second-quarter financial results – reporting net income of US$233 million, compared to a net loss of US$268 million the same quarter last year. But the positive results weren’t what investors focused on – it was expected, given the recovery in crude prices this year. Instead, they zoomed in on Pioneer’s decision to slash US$100 million from its 2017 capital budget, as well as anomalies within its production data – an unexpected drop in oil production that was somewhat offset by higher natural gas output (though from new wells, unusually), accompanied by higher costs. Pioneer’s stock took a tumble, down by 16% at one point, and it dragged all other Permian-related stocks with it – spooking investors that held shares of EOG Resources and RSP. Editorials and analytical notes were written furiously, warning that enthusiasm in the Permian was waning.

Meanwhile, the weekly rig count data released by Baker Hughes-GE fell by one the week Pioneer released its results. Within the topline number, active rigs in the Permian basin were flat week on week, having been the main source of rig count growth over the past year together with the Eagle Ford basin. The week after, active rig counts fell by 5, with the Permian and Eagle Ford losing 2 and 3 sites, respectively. On a macro scale, the market would cheer this as a sign that US oil production is finding a new plateau at the current level of crude prices, stuck around US$50/b. On a micro level, it is causing some jitters among Permian producers – many of whom have trimmed their spending targets for 2017 and 2018, including heavyweights Diamondback Energy and Devon Energy, in anticipation of a slowdown.

Are we about to see a collapse in the Permian? Absolutely not. After a period of rapid growth in early 2017, in response to crude prices jumping on the OPEC supply freeze pact, the Permian is merely hitting a wall of marginal gains. Permian producers raised production rapidly earlier this year, anticipating that prices would maintain at US$60/b, thereby unleashing supply that moderated prices again. With the outlook now pointing towards prices stubbornly sticking to the US$50/b level, producers are now adjusting their approach. The Petroleum Economist reports that "oil bulls and OPEC ministers who are looking for cracks in the shale recovery due to recent announcements by Anadarko, Hess and Whiting Petroleum are cutting their 2017 budgets, will be disappointed. It may just be too soon claim any victory that US shale is shutting down. EIA reports that DUCs (Drilled but Uncompleted Wells) have nearly doubled from this time last year to around 2,250. If oil remains at sub-$50, companies could start pulling rigs, and start shifting to cheaper and quicker options of completing their DUCs. This will power production growth for at least several months."

Growth in the Permian will continue through 2017 and 2018, but at a slower pace. The Permian region is projected to represent about 30 percent of total U.S. crude oil production in the coming year. Wood Mackenzie is predicting the Permain output will rise by 300,000 b/d by the end of 2017, pushing past the 2.7 mmb/d level. Meanwhile, supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron are both increasing their presence in the Permian attracted by lower costs – the average wellhead breakeven presence in the Permian hovers around US$35/b – aiming to raise production there by 20% and 35%, respectively, from low bases. Meanwhile, Falcon Seaboard Resources just announced a US$145 million Permian fund.

Interest in the Permian isn’t waning. The ride is just slowing down, because the industry in the Permian has moved past the short, sweet period when prices rose faster than costs, and is now adjusting to that. And even the furore around Pioneer is misplaced; the company has said that the unexpected drop in oil production was short term and would be fixed in the next quarter. Pumping more natural gas isn’t a huge problem either – Permian player Parsley boosted its gas production forecast for the year in fact – since it diversifies output and total resources are still expanding. Now, in fact, might be a good time to cherry pick Permian stocks – the valuations remain good, while the stock prices have taken a beating. With OPEC, mainly Saudi Arabia attempt manoeuvring again to support prices, the Permian basin phenomenon is far from over.

Easwaran Kanason, Co-founder of NrgEdge

P.S. for continuity of investments in the energy industry, making the right choices are key for future success. Read more about Scenario planning and the so what question a recent blog post by Henk Krijnen. Henk Krijnen will be in Kuala Lumpur this October 2017, presenting a very timely "Masterclass on Scenario Planning for Decision Making in the Energy Industry". Find out more https://goo.gl/tauq5x. If you are too busy during this period, check out our training series on “Training to Navigate Uncertainty in Oil & Gas”