Exploring the surprising boom of US oil production, its impact on global markets, and the unexpected profitability of the industry. The podcast also discusses the shifting funding dynamics, the rising tensions in the Red Sea, and the increase in US oil exports despite the unfriendly campaign by the Biden administration.
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Quick takeaways
US oil production has reached all-time highs, making the US one of the largest global producers.
Technological improvements in the shale oil industry have led to increased profitability.
Deep dives
US oil production reaches record levels
US oil production has reached all-time highs, with domestic production exceeding 13 million barrels of crude per day. This represents a significant increase in US oil output, making the US one of the largest global producers, accounting for one in every eight barrels of global oil output.
Technological improvements in the shale oil industry have led to increased profitability. Advancements include longer and more efficient horizontal drilling techniques, allowing for more oil extraction from wells. Additionally, improvements in pumping fracking fluids at higher pressures have increased productivity, resulting in quicker and cheaper operations.
Changing dynamics of OPEC and US shale
OPEC's decision to cut production and maintain higher oil prices has facilitated the growth of the US shale industry. By restricting supply and preventing a drastic decrease in oil prices, OPEC has inadvertently aided shale companies. This has allowed them to expand production capacity and generate profits, a significant shift from previous years when shale struggled to maintain profitability.
Risk and regulatory concerns in electricity trading
The electricity trading market in Europe has experienced significant changes driven by increased cross-border trading and price volatility due to renewable energy sources. Computer-driven trading with automated systems has become prevalent, with players specializing in short-term trades. Regulators face challenges in monitoring these high-frequency transactions and systemic risks associated with the rapid growth of these new electricity traders.
In the early 2010s, US shale players were producing oil like crazy, with no concerns about profitability. Then the legs were kicked out from the industry, causing a massive bust and massive oversupply. In 2021 and 2022, it looked like a very different story. Oil prices were surging and it seemed as though US players had found religion, learning how to maintain production discipline and improve profitability. But now we're in a new era that nobody saw coming: US oil production is booming. In in fact, it's at a record high. What's more, industry participants are actually making money at the same time. So how did they do it? And how did the prognosticators get things wrong? On this episode of the podcast, we speak with Bloomberg Opinion columnist and commodity specialist Javier Blas. We discuss the state of US supply and what it means for OPEC. We also talk about the rising tension in the Red Sea, as well as his reporting on the rise of electronic electricity trading in the European market.