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The New Tech That Terrifies OPEC

WSJ Original article ›
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Technology is reshaping the world of oil by 2018. The U.S. Permian Basin stretching from West Texas to New Mexico now produces more oil than the UAE and is likely to soon surpass Iran- production is at 3.1 million barrels a a day. There are as many rigs as in 2011 yet the production has tripled because of the use of high tech rigs that can move quickly to new locations over wide areas and with tech that can see hundreds of feet into the rock. By 2019 the U.S. will surpass Russia as the world's largest producer of oil.

The drop in oil prices to about $40 a barrel in recent years is a result of Saudi efforts to block shale oil development by lowering prices. This has not worked. Initially some high cost producers exited the industry and the shale industry suffered. Over time the new technologies spurred by lower oil prices have led to the anticipated drop in cost. Shale oil can now be produced by core producers at $40 a barrel and still be profitable according to this WSJ report. All Middle Eastern countries cannot meet budget needs at $40 a barrel. In 2018 oil prices increased back up to $77 a barrel. In the next wave of declining prices the shale industry is better positioned than the OPEC countries.

 


Saudi price strategy in 2015 and U.S. shale oil drillers

01/10/2015

Grouped Articles

Saudi Arabia’s Cure for Shale Could Entail Shock Therapy

Wall Street Journal 01/10/2015

The new economics of oil: Sheikhs v shale

Economist 01/13/2015

Back to the Future? Oil Replays 1980s Bust

Wall Street Journal 01/14/2015

New King in Saudi Arabia Unlikely to Alter Oil Policy

New York Times 01/23/2015

Oil-Drop Pain Spreads to Saudi Arabia’s Energy Behemoth

Wall Street Journal 02/20/2015

Shale-Oil Producers Ready to Raise Output

Wall Street Journal 05/14/2015

The Economist and WSJ on shale oil, the Saudis and oil prices in 2015 and beyond

01/13/2015

The Economist points out that shale oil production technology is at the early stages with production costs likely to come down from an average of $57 a barrel. With the relatively small costs to start drilling in shale deposits and extensive new shale deposits in the U.S. and other parts of the world, shale is likely to remain a factor in oil production and prices for a long time. Any impact of Saudi oil price cuts on shale oil production is likely to be temporary, as new advances in the technology and efficiency will make shale oil a serious source of oil supplies. Already some efficient shale oil producers have costs below $35 a barrel in the U.S., according to the CEO of CSX Railroad. CSX has dropped the fuel surcharge to improve the competitiveness of shale transported by rail from the Bakken shale region in N. Dakota.

Grouped Articles

The new economics of oil: Sheikhs v shale

Economist 01/13/2015

Back to the Future? Oil Replays 1980s Bust

Wall Street Journal 01/14/2015

New King in Saudi Arabia Unlikely to Alter Oil Policy

New York Times 01/23/2015

Exxon Mobil: Shale to the Chief

Wall Street Journal 03/06/2015

U.S. Producers Ready New Oil Wave

Wall Street Journal 03/14/2015

Shale-Oil Producers Ready to Raise Output

Wall Street Journal 05/14/2015


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