The oil and gas industry is facing a challenging year. Oil prices remain volatile, and uncertainty remains about whether prices will recover from around $50/bbl. Across the upstream sector, companies are considering their next investments, while weighing up how to remain profitable in the current climate, according to a study by the energy consulting company, Wood Mackenzie, writes WorldOil.
To gauge the state of the sector, Wood Mackenzie asked its client base to share their thoughts on a number of key themes, including:
- What are the expectations around the oil price?
- Will investment in M&A and capital spend rise?
- What is the industry’s priority for 2017?
- What is the best long-term growth option?
According to analysts, the responses were analysed to give a comprehensive view of how the sector’s key players view the future.
Martin Kelly, Wood Mackenzie’s Head of Corporate Analysis, said, “the industry is very cautious right now and risk appetite is low. The upstream sector’s key priorities for 2017 include protecting the dividend and strengthening balance sheets.”
He added that, “there is a clear consensus -that oil prices will be in the US$50-60/bbl range this year (80% of respondents), while 75% think it will be in the $60-80/bbl range in 2020. So if it is correct, will generate significant free cashflow for the industry.”
”Climate change is a key issue, with 75% of the more than 170 respondents saying that the best way for the industry to respond to the challenge it represents is to either reduce carbon footprints or increase exposure to renewables”, shows the study by Wood Mackenzie.
The survey also found that, on balance, respondents expect investment in M&A, exploration and capital spending to rise this year. However, only 25% of our survey’s respondents believe that frontier exploration or corporate M&A will deliver the best returns this year. Uncertainty remains about service costs, with respondents split almost equally over whether they will rise or not in 2017.