Amid a season of bankruptcies and restructurings, three bankers discuss energy finance and strategies for surviving to drill another day.

Drilling success and positive economics boost acreage costs in the Appalachian Basin’s Marcellus shale.

Last summer, investment bankers saw market-makers and resource players in their waiting rooms. Today, bankers are the ones waiting—for a pick-up in M&A activity.

In July 2008, Concho Resources acquired Henry Petroleum—lock, stock and 80 oil-savvy professionals. Here’s how timing—getting it done before the markets closed—made all the difference.

A rollicking first-half 2008 for A&D quickly quieted down.

The industry has seen this movie before—collapsing commodity prices turn M&A deal-making on its head. The sequel adds a new twist: constrained capital markets.

With E&Ps facing a three-headed dragon of low commodity prices, closed financial markets and lender redeterminations, five industry experts suggest ways to get over the hump.

Banks adopt a more conservative stance in forward price decks.

In these volatile times, it’s a good idea for operators and lenders to review what they know about standard credit agreements for financing E&P companies.

Looking for strong management alignment with shareholders’ interest? Here are a few oil and gas producers with CEOs heavily invested in the company’s success.

Don’t let low value determinations block value-creation and capital-raising efforts. Focus on the strategy ahead and consider these ways to raise funds.

Unlumping assets makes for better divestment results.

Capital providers and E&P executives weigh in on how the current financial crisis is affecting the energy sector, from exploration capital to money for M&A.

Energy MLPs have been pushed down with the general equity markets, but they’re certainly not out. Here’s a summary of current market dynamics, and a forecast for the group.

Careful pre-planning for life after a major merger or acquisition can substantially increase profit.

In 2007, spending was hefty, yet it failed to generate much in the way of increased reserves.

The devil’s in the details for U.S. companies making the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards.

Price volatility has brought hedging to the forefront for producers and lenders.

The plentiful new mezzanine capital providers are taking on new roles.

Five up-and-coming microcaps are adding value by growing reserves and production in the hottest plays

Many new non-OPEC fields and projects appear to be stalling out.

Like gas producers, investment bankers are availing themselves of growing opportunities for deals found by playing in the prolific Haynesville and Bossier shales.

Today’s iteration of private-equity funds has grown from several million to several billion dollars, yet fund managers still strive for small placements to realize maximum returns.

Milagro Exploration, Laredo Energy and Chalker Energy founders offer tips on business plans and traps to watch out for.

Canadian players are proceeding with care as negative drivers litter the M&A roadway.

Southeastern New Mexico is an important source of energy for the U.S., but E&Ps contend with onerous environmental restrictions and compete with the potash industry.

Seizing a “moment in time,” XTO Energy fervently stockpiles assets while the acquisition iron is hot. 

John Masters discusses wildcatters.

Is there a fundamental disconnect between the public and private valuation of oil and gas reserves?

Unconventional wells are producing unexpected payoffs.

Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s ambitious leasing and drilling program is being funded by a flurry of financial transactions.

These seven Denver-based energy financiers are bullish on energy.

Two Canadian firms have made offshore discoveries that keep toes tapping in Trinidad and Tobago, a top gas exporter in swinging growth mode.

Despite turbulent credit markets, a sinking economy and soaring prices, three energy investment pros say equity raises will be a good engine to drive E&Ps’ expected growth plans this year.

Regional commercial banks offer debt-access security to local E&P operators and service providers.

Is there a fundamental disconnect between the public and private valuation of oil and gas reserves?

PetroQuest Energy’s Todd Zehnder has quickly moved up the E&P executive ladder.

Here are the Top 10 oil and gas industry trends that will affect credit quality in 2008.

A weaker U.S. dollar is keeping the LNG away.

Production and reserves are being hotly competed for in the Ark-La-Tex region, including the Barnett.

Several factors are making the outlook for U.S. natural gas prices more attractive, heading into the summer.

It seems to pay more to be an unconventional-gas player, according to new research.

OTC: QX, a new exchange for U.S. and foreign companies, is among topics of interest among energy investment bankers.

Private-equity capital targeted to energy totaled $20.7 billion at year-end 2007.

John Pinkerton addresses Range Resources’ award-winning investor-relations practices, its plans for developing its emerging plays and its five-year streak of consecutive production growth.

When MLP BreitBurn bought all of the Antrim and New Albany shale assets of Quicksilver Resources, it instantly more than doubled in size and gained a significant equity partner.

Two Houston investment-banking firms expect 2008 to be an active year for M&A action and for IPOs and other financings.

The former chairman of GlobalSantaFe believes the free market will enable the U.S. to regain energy independence, and use cleaner technologies in the process. Here's how to invest now to participate in this.

For the U.S. offshore drilling industry, this January wasn’t particularly illustrious, as shares in the sector sold off 13% for the month versus a like decline for the OSX (Oilfield Service Index) and a 9% dip for the S&P 500.

Wall Street sees a silver lining for nervous energy investors who are sitting on the sidelines.

As investors seek safety and diversification, here are four trends affecting E&P investments.

Despite credit woes roiling the markets, most mezzanine energy-capital providers expect no slowdown in demand for their financing.

Upstream MLPs, fed by large strategic divestments, moved to the forefront of 2007 transactions.

In the business for nearly 50 years, John Brock has built large E&P companies and legacy assets.

Worldwide E&P expenditures will climb 9.3% in 2008, according to Citigroup's 26th annual E & P spending survey.

Major oil producers may need to do some M&A to replace reserves, and independent oils are among potential targets.

Each with several energy investments in their portfolios, Pine Brook Road Partners and Houston Energy Advisors are looking to back yet more E&P stories in 2008.

Capital continues to flow to upstream MLPs, despite recent setbacks in debt and equity markets and uneasiness about PIPE overhangs.

Three top analysts pick a dozen small-cap service stocks poised for strong share-price gains this year.

A founding principal of GasRock Capital LLC, Lynn Bass found his way into energy finance after meeting industry leaders through an executive-search firm.

A founding principal of GasRock Capital LLC, Lynn Bass found his way into energy finance after meeting industry leaders through an executive-search firm.

Divergence between the momentum of international or offshore markets and North American markets is expected to continue.

If a company like Leor Energy is worth $2.5 billion, just think what Ultra Petroleum, Range Resources or Southwestern Energy is worth.

The MLPs continue to make purchases, albeit smaller.

Deepwater drilling contractors are a good bet today.

An elite class of operators drills ever deeper into onshore U.S. basins, spurred by the grand potential in such red-hot plays as East Texas' Deep Bossier, Oklahoma's Mountain Front and West Texas' Deep Haley.

After trading Antrim shale assets for a chunk of MLP BreitBurn, Quicksilver CEO Glenn Darden speaks about operations in the Barnett shale, making the market recognize the company's value and how lessons from being a champion sailor relate to the business.

As the industry enters 2008, where is world hydrocarbon supply, demand and pricing headed? Two veteran market seers offer differing views. One sees more oil supply; the other sees less.

A new well-evaluation study finds the ideal number of lateral wells for Bakken oil production.

The right kind of board of directors can contribute greatly to improved returns and company valuation.

The right kind of board of directors can contribute greatly to improved returns and company valuation.

Energy bankers are seeing more loan demand to accelerate the grass-roots drilling activities. But with the recent credit crunch, some also see borrowing becoming more expensive.

Investor tax benefits and structures that better incentivize drilling-partnership operators drive these investment vehicles today.

In determining which hedge opportunity is likely to be most effective, it is important to review the strengths and weaknesses of the two most popular hedge strategies -- swaps and collars.