Blog Feed | Enverus

Mauritania and Senegal: Opportunities and challenges in Africa’s forgotten hot spot

CALGARY, Alberta (Dec. 30, 2025) Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, has released a new report examining the evolving outlook for oil and gas in Mauritania and Senegal, within the MSGBC (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry) Basin. Once a magnet for supermajors, the basin now faces a mixed picture: proven resource potential alongside significant investment headwinds.

Senegal and Mauritania have transitioned from frontier exploration zones to established producers. Sangomar, offshore Senegal, has been delivering around 100,000 barrels of oil per day, while Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) has reached approximately 250 million cubic feet of gas per day. These projects, online for over a year, underscore the basin’s technical capability and the value of years of development.

Despite more than 600 million barrels of oil and nearly 90 trillion cubic feet of gas discovered, large swaths of acreage remain underexplored. Opportunities exist for agile independents and national oil companies to leverage existing infrastructure and proven petroleum systems. Planned expansions, such as Sangomar Phase 2 and GTA Phase 1+, aim to further enhance regional output by the end of the decade.

However, optimism must be weighed against reality. Since 2019, international oil companies have relinquished 23 offshore licenses and over 170,000 sq km of acreage, citing regulatory changes, fiscal tightening and market volatility. Political uncertainty, tax disputes, infrastructure bottlenecks and evolving fiscal terms continue to challenge investor confidence and highlight the need for stability and predictable frameworks.

Both governments are offering open acreage through direct negotiations, aiming to attract new entrants. Yet, reversing the exploration exodus will require competitive terms and clear alignment on development priorities. While the basin’s resource base is undeniable, sustaining momentum from Sangomar and GTA will be critical to restoring investor interest.

“The start-up of Sangomar and GTA demonstrates what’s possible in the MSGBC Basin,” said Jimmy Boulter, regional manager at EIR. “But future success depends on addressing above-ground concerns and fostering a competitive upstream environment. With the supermajors stepping out of Mauritania and Senegal but into neighboring Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia, the MSGBC Basin is entering a new era where a wider mix of companies will need to redefine exploration and development.”

Key takeaways:

Senegal and Mauritania have transitioned from frontier exploration zones to established producers, following major project milestones in 2024 and 2025.
International oil companies have exited the region, relinquishing 23 offshore licenses and over 170,000 sq km since 2019, driven by regulatory changes and market volatility.
Output from Sangomar and GTA is ramping up, providing reliable cash flow and supporting future expansion, with Sangomar Phase 2 and GTA Phase 1+ on the horizon.
Both countries are offering open acreage via direct negotiations, with a new wave of explorers needed, including national oil companies and independents.
Infrastructure bottlenecks and evolving fiscal terms remain key obstacles to revitalizing exploration and development.

Ramp in Oil and Gas Production Following Project Startups

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus PRISM®, Enverus FOUNDATIONS®, Global Research, and Enverus AI.

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EIR research reports cannot be distributed to members of the media without a scheduled interview. If you have questions or are interested in obtaining a copy of this report, please use our Request Media Interview button to schedule an interview with one of our expert analysts.

About Enverus Intelligence® Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide. Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS company, with a platform built to create value from generative AI, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 95% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 40,000 suppliers. Learn more at Enverus.com.

Libyin’ la vida loca: New bid round and fiscal reforms attract global energy investors

CALGARY, Alberta (Dec. 23, 2025) Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, is releasing a new energy market report analyzing Libya’s return to the global energy spotlight and the implications of its 2025 bid round for international investment.

Libya’s latest bid round offers 22 blocks with an estimated 10 billion barrels of in-place resources and 18 billion barrels yet to be discovered. New fiscal terms improve contractor economics, with a discounted state take of 66% and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.8%, positioning Libya as competitive with moderate production sharing contract (PSC) regimes globally.

“Libya’s new licensing round marks a pivotal moment for the country’s energy sector. Enhanced fiscal terms, simplified cost recovery and clearer profit‑sharing, are already attracting serious interest from supermajors and national oil companies,” said Tom Richards, senior regional manager at EIR.

The opportunity is real, but long-term success depends on converting potential into sustained investment. Achieving the 2 million barrels per day target by 2030 will require four to six times the activity seen over the past decade, alongside meaningful progress on institutional reform, payment reliability and security. While our modeling shows the economics are globally competitive, ongoing systemic dysfunction—such as the unresolved political stalemate and offshore border disputes, remain critical barriers. Managing these above-ground risks is essential to unlock Libya’s full potential.”

Key takeaways:

Libya’s 2025 bid round introduces investor-friendly fiscal terms, simplifying cost recovery and profit-sharing.
The 22 available blocks are evenly split between onshore and offshore, with substantial resource potential.
Political instability and infrastructure challenges remain major obstacles to sustained sector growth.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) aims to increase oil production by more than 40% to 2 million barrels per day by 2030, requiring a significant ramp-up in activity.

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus PRISM®, Enverus FOUNDATIONS®, Global Research and Enverus AI.

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Energy Market in Review: How Unexpected Forces Reshaped Oil, Gas, and Policy in 2025

Unlock real-time, actionable energy insights. This blog offers just a glimpse of the powerful analysis Oil & Gas Research delivers on today’s energy markets. Don’t miss the full picture. Click here to learn more.

The energy landscape of 2025 has been nothing short of dynamic, marked by significant shifts that reshaped global markets. Reflecting on the past year, with the volatility in crude oil prices nearly touching a five-year low, highlights the industry’s complexities and subtleties. At Enverus Intelligence® Research, we closely monitor these trends, providing clarity amidst the uncertainty. We delve into the defining stories, unexpected surprises and underlying forces that have characterized the year. This blog post offers a comprehensive look at the energy narratives of 2025. Join us as we unpack the key developments setting the stage for the future of energy.

Navigating Revenue Risk: Alberta’s Hedging Dilemma

The impacts of fluctuating oil prices extend directly to provincial coffers, particularly for regions like Alberta. The question of how governments can manage this revenue volatility is a fascinating one. While the Alberta Heritage Fund provides a framework, it demands significant discipline, which has been lacking. From a corporate perspective, hedging instruments are typically employed to secure commodity revenues. Options include selling at a fixed price, which often carries negative public perception if prices rise above the fixed rate, or paying an insurance premium, which can also be optically unfavorable.

During my career in the oilpatch, my employer once used a “collar” strategy that could guarantee a minimum price, perhaps $50, and a maximum of $70 to ensure revenue within a defined band. However, the scale of Alberta’s production, at about 4 million barrels a day, compared to the 200,000 barrels a day we previously managed, makes such a large-scale hedging operation incredibly complex. Furthermore, hedging typically provides coverage for a maximum of about a year, with liquidity thinning out for longer durations. While options exist, convincing politicians to engage in what might be perceived as “trading” or “gambling” rather than insurance remains a significant hurdle. The Heritage Fund, being an internal mechanism, likely remains the most straightforward approach to risk management for the provincial government.

President Trump’s Unforeseen Influence on Energy Markets

Without a doubt, the biggest surprise of 2025 has been the profound influence of President Trump’s actions on global energy markets. His impact was felt across multiple fronts. OPEC decided to increase production and unwind cuts in April, a move we speculate was partly a response to the president’s public calls for lower oil prices and his threats of tariffs against various nations. Faced with members cheating on quotas and weakening demand, OPEC likely seized the opportunity to regain market share.

Trump also significantly unwound many of the Biden administration’s clean energy initiatives, even rolling back fleet mileage cars for U.S. carmakers in early December. His influence extended to Venezuela’s oil sector, a development we speculated about months prior. Even closer to home, we suspect that a West Coast pipeline, currently a topic of discussion, might not be on the table if Kamala Harris were in office instead of Trump, highlighting how his political shifts have altered the energy diversification conversation.

Tracing back the year’s events, it becomes clear that President Trump’s moves have indeed shaped where we stand today, leading to lower oil prices and a modest growth in U.S. production.

Natural Gas Forecast: LNG as the True Game Changer

On the natural gas front, considerable excitement surrounds artificial intelligence, data centers, and associated power demand. While data centers are projected to require around 2 billion cubic feet per day of gas (Bcf/d), the U.S. market currently consumes about 90 Bcf/d annually. The impact of AI demand pales in comparison to liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports at 15 Bcf/d.

It bears repeating that data centers and their gas-fired generation might be the “shiny new toy,” but LNG is the true “bread and butter” of the natural gas market. LNG is poised to fundamentally disrupt and reshape how North American gas markets operate by increasing their exposure to Asian markets, fostering greater global interconnectedness. While often overshadowed by other developments, LNG remains a critical, albeit “sleeper,” story that holds immense importance for the future of natural gas.

Looking Ahead to 2026

For 2026, we anticipate a challenging year for oil prices. However, every challenging period also presents an opportunity for future improvement. We remain bullish over the long term for both oil and gas prices.

Key Takeaways

How did oil prices fare in 2025?

West Texas Intermediate crude oil touched levels not seen since 2022, dipping below $55 USD, driven by a supply surplus and weakening demand.

What was the biggest surprise in energy markets for 2025?

President Trump’s influence significantly shaped energy markets, leading to lower oil prices, an unwinding of clean energy initiatives and shifts in global energy policy.

What is the “sleeper story” in natural gas for 2025?

LNG exports at 15 Bcf/d are the true game changer, far outweighing the demand from data centers (2 Bcf/d). These exports are fundamentally disrupting North American gas markets by connecting them to Asian markets.

This blog post is based on an episode from the Calgary Eyeopener radio series, hosted by Loren McGinnis, featuring an interview with Al. You can check out the full episode here.

About Enverus Intelligence® | Research

Enverus Intelligence® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations, and macro-economic forecasts and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies, and capital providers worldwide. See additional disclosures here.

Enverus Intelligence® Research Press Release - Surge in clean energy demand intensifies market competition

Every Degree Moves the Market: Why Point Forecasting Beats GFS for Natural Gas Traders

If you trade natural gas, you already know the weather is your most volatile counterparty. A single arctic blast can send prices spiking, cut production via freeze-offs, and leave even seasoned desks exposed. Public models like the Global Forecast System (GFS) provide a broad view, but broad is no longer enough. The edge now comes from precision, timing and integration.

That’s where point forecasting comes in. Powered by AI bias correction and integrated directly into Enverus MarketView®, Climavision’s Horizon AI, a point forecasting system (PFS), delivers hyperlocal, asset-level forecasts.

This blog is only a preview of our full joint whitepaper, “Why Point Forecasting Outperforms the Global Forecast System“, and highlights how traders are using AI-enhanced, hyperlocal forecasts to reduce risk, improve hedge timing and stay ahead of extreme weather.

Read Whitepaper Now

The problem with “good enough” weather data

Weather volatility remains one of the largest drivers of price risk in natural gas markets.

GFS offers a useful global baseline, but its lack of site-specific precision and timing accuracy can miss the very inflection points that move prices.

In fast markets, being directionally right isn’t enough, you need to be early.

What exactly is point forecasting?

Point forecasting focuses on site specific, hyperlocal conditions (plants, terminals, pipelines, key demand centers) rather than broad regional grids. Climavision’s PFS layers AI-driven bias correction on top of raw model outputs, learning from past errors to improve directional accuracy and confidence. Integrated in Enverus MarketView®, you can align weather signals with real-time prices, fundamentals, storage, flows and news, without leaving your workspace.

Why Horizon AI Point gives traders a measurable edge?

Hyperlocal precision: Asset level forecasts built for energy, not generic, global grids.

Better timing: Improved arrival and duration signals for cold snaps and warmups.

AI bias correction: Learns from model mistakes to enhance directional accuracy.

More lead time: Up to 15 days, with hourly updates.

Seamless integration: Embedded in Enverus MarketView® for instant correlation with pricing and fundamentals.

Practical risk reduction: Fewer surprises, earlier hedges, tighter P&L control.

Category	GFS	PFS
Forecast Precision	Broad, global-scale forecasts lacking site-specific accuracy.	Hyper-local, asset-level forecasts tailored to plants, terminals and critical infrastructure.
Timing Accuracy	Often misjudges arrival and duration of cold snaps or warm-ups.	Provides improved timing signals, giving traders earlier indications for intraday decisions.
Bias & Reliability	Susceptible to overestimating or underestimating temperature swings.	AI bias correction improves directional accuracy and consistency of forecasts.
Lead Time for Action	Shorter advance notice of extreme weather events.	Offers extended lead time (up to 15 days) with hourly updates, supporting more proactive hedging.
Integration With Market Data	Standalone forecasts requiring manual correlation with pricing and fundamentals.	Seamlessly integrated into MarketView Sphere for instant, actionable insights.
Risk Exposure	Higher exposure to unexpected volatility and financial losses.	Reduced risk through accurate, timely forecasts aligned with market signals.
Update Frequency	Updates every 6 hours, which can leave traders vulnerable.	Updates hourly, more frequent than GFS, for timely insights.
Competitive Position	Generic forecasts put traders at a disadvantage.	Proprietary, AI-supported forecasts offer a directional advantage over traditional models.

Read Whitepaper Now

Use Case: Winter Storm Elliott: How Precision Timing becomes P&L

During Dec. 21–26, 2022, Winter Storm Elliott sent an Arctic plunge across the U.S., dropping Dallas–Fort Worth temps from 45°F to 23°F in two hours, freezing infrastructure, cutting U.S. gas output by ~15 Bcf/d, and driving West Texas next day prices ~22% higher to ~$9/MMBtu (with futures whipsawing as January rolled off at $4.705 and February at $4.475). While GFS signaled cold, it was too warm and late during the crucial Dec 22 window; Climavision’s AI-enhanced PFS called the arrival up to seven days earlier and captured Midland (KMAF) timing more accurately, enabling earlier hedges and intraday adjustments inside Enverus MarketView®.

*Source: Enverus MarketView | Climavision Horizon-AI System*

For an expanded case study on Elliott, additional use cases across markets, and a more detailed methodology on turning hyperlocal, AI-corrected forecasts into trading strategy, read the e-book: “Why Point Forecasting Outperforms the Global Forecast System.”

Read Whitepaper Now

What you’ll learn in the full whitepaper

How AI bias correction improves weather model reliability and directional accuracy

Why point forecasting consistently outperforms GFS in timing and magnitude at critical locations

Detailed case studies on Elliott (2022), January 2024 and February 2025 events

How to operationalize weather intelligence inside Enverus MarketView® to reduce risk and improve hedge timing

Don’t let the next cold snap become your most expensive lesson

Volatility isn’t going away. But the desks that thrive are shifting from generic weather inputs to integrated, hyperlocal intelligence that moves at market speed.

Download the full whitepaper, “Why Point Forecasting Outperforms the Global Forecast System” to see the data, charts and trade aligned workflows behind this edge.

Read Whitepaper Now

Enverus Intelligence® Research Press Release - Winning in the West: Renewed opportunities are resurfacing in the DJ and PRB’s Niobrara

Data Center Power Supply | Geothermal Turns Up the Heat

Figure of Cost Competitiveness of Geothermal Technologies

As demand for clean, firm power grows, particularly to supply data centers, geothermal is emerging as a compelling alternative to options like natural gas with CCS and nuclear. Recent technological breakthroughs are transforming geothermal energy from a niche resource into a potential pillar of the clean energy mix.

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) pioneer Fervo Energy recently secured a major vote of confidence with an oversubscribed $462 million Series E funding round, which included contributions from Google. Advanced geothermal systems (AGS) developer Eavor Technologies began delivering power from its first commercial-scale plant in Geretsried, Germany, this month.

Enverus Intelligence^® Research finds conventional geothermal remains the most economic option among geothermal technologies, with an average levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $78/MWh. That compares with LCOEs of $151/MWh for AGS, which uses sealed subsurface loops to circulate a working fluid, and $143/MWh for EGS, which involves engineered reservoirs created in hot rock to circulate water for heat extraction (Figure 1).

However, conventional geothermal is constrained by geographic and geologic requirements, creating strong momentum for EGS and AGS. By decoupling geothermal development from naturally occurring reservoirs, these next-generation technologies significantly expand the range of locations where geothermal power can be deployed. This is unlocking a larger, scalable market for baseload, zero-carbon electricity as costs and risks continue to decline through technological advances.

Research Highlights:

Long-Term Load Forecast – Pushing Peaks – This report encompasses our view on how exponential load drivers will impact our power demand forecasts from 2025-50.

Biofuel Feedstocks – Go Local To Stay Viable – EIR’s assessment of how recent U.S. policy-driven feedstock restrictions affect biofuel competitiveness and which producers are best positioned to remain resilient.

Reliability on the Edge – Fast-Tracking the Queue – We examine the market impacts of recent developments in fast-track interconnection processes in SPP, PJM and MISO.

DID YOU KNOW?

California hosts the world’s largest geothermal power complex. The Geysers supplies more than 60% of the electricity for the state’s northern coastal area, enough to power about 725,000 homes, or a city the size of San Francisco.

About Enverus Intelligence® | Research

Permian and coastal gas pipeline buildout key to meeting surging U.S. LNG export demand

CALGARY, Alberta (Dec. 17, 2025) Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, is releasing new research analyzing the critical role of Permian Basin natural gas in meeting surging U.S. LNG export demand and the infrastructure required to deliver it to Gulf Coast hubs.

U.S. LNG feedgas demand is projected to rise to 33 Bcf/d by 2030, with the potential to approach 50 Bcf/d by 2035 if planned expansions move forward. To support this growth, approximately 9.0 Bcf/d of new Permian pipeline capacity is expected to be added eastward toward the Gulf Coast, complemented by more than 12 Bcf/d of additional pipeline capacity along the coast dedicated to supplying LNG facilities.

“While there is ample pipeline capacity from the Permian Basin and along the Gulf Coast to supply incremental LNG feedgas to 2030, the challenge lies in ensuring long-term natural gas supply for additional LNG expansion,” said Alex Ljubojevic, a director at EIR.

Key takeaways:

By 2030, 9.0 Bcf/d of new Permian Basin pipeline capacity will connect West Texas output with the Agua Dulce and Katy gas hubs, and 12.25 Bcf/d of additional Gulf Coast pipeline projects will mitigate bottlenecks.
U.S. LNG feedgas demand could reach 33 Bcf/d by 2030 and as high as 50 Bcf/d by 2035, outpacing current domestic supply growth.
The Haynesville play is expected to peak at 19 Bcf/d in 2033 before declining, limiting its ability to support future LNG expansions.
The Permian Basin’s dry gas output is forecast to increase to approximately 40 Bcf/d by 2050, but further infrastructure and resource development will be necessary to close a projected 2–8 Bcf/d supply gap by 2035.
Market misconceptions persist regarding Permian gas quality and infrastructure, but EIR believes these challenges are solvable with targeted investment.

Figure: U.S. LNG Feedgas Demand Could Reach ~50 Bcf/d by 2035

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus FOUNDATIONS®.

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Henry’s bullish enthusiasm premature

CALGARY, Alberta (Dec. 16, 2025) — Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, has published its latest Fundamental Edge report, examining key trends in global oil and gas supply, demand and pricing outlooks for 2026 and beyond.

EIR projects oil prices will weaken in 2026, with Brent crude expected to average $55 per barrel. Henry Hub natural gas is pegged at $3.80/MMBtu through the remainder of winter, the end of March, before softening to $3.60/MMBtu in summer 2026. Near-term oil price pressure reflects global inventory levels approaching highs last seen during the pandemic and the shale price war. Recent natural gas prices have remained significantly above historical norms compared to U.S. storage level. Current market dynamics echo the price premiums seen during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions on Russian LNG. Expectations of a mild winter and ongoing Lower 48 supply growth will pressure today’s elevated prices.

Looking beyond 2026, EIR adopts a bullish stance. OPEC-12 liquids output is near historic highs and could tap untested spare capacity in coming years, while long-term oil demand projections have strengthened. At the same time, global oil and gas supply projects are declining due to underinvestment—setting the stage for tighter balances and higher prices later in the decade.

“Our analysis shows that while short-term pressures will weigh on oil and gas prices, both markets become supply-short post-2026. This should pave the way for renewed bullish momentum through the rest of the decade,” said Al Salazar, director at EIR.

Key takeaways:

Brent crude forecast: EIR expects Brent to average $55/bbl in 2026 ($50 in H1, $60 in H2), with upside risks tied to Chinese strategic petroleum reserve purchases and the effectiveness of Russian sanctions.
OPEC output: OPEC-12 liquids production is just 1.2 million barrels per day below its all-time high, suggesting used spare capacity maybe tested for the first time.
Natural gas outlook: Henry Hub winter forecast is $3.80/MMBtu, ~35 cents below strip price but likely to come true should warmer weather arrive and production increases persist.
U.S. production trends: Lower 48 oil production is projected to rise by ~243,000 barrels per day by end-2025, then decline by 255,000 barrels per day in 2026 if prices remain subdued.
LNG market momentum: U.S. LNG feedgas reached record highs in 2025, and global supply is expected to remain ~2 Bcf/d above demand through 2030, with supply shortages possible post-2033.

Figure: Front Month Henry Hub vs. Current Storage Deviation to the 5-Year Average

Enverus Intelligence Research_Front Month Henry Hub vs. Current Storage Deviation to the 5-Year Average

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of products including Enverus PRISM®, Enverus FOUNDATIONS®, Enverus Instant Analyst™, and Mosaic.

View Report Here

You must be an Enverus Intelligence® subscriber to access this report.

Enverus Press Release - Alternative fuels M&A focus turns from policy boosts to business resilience

The Week in Energy – Dec. 12, 2025

This week’s energy headlines spotlight major Appalachian deals, midstream realignment, upstream divestment plans, bold growth targets from supermajors and what U.S. land drillers expect for 2026. Here are five stories that stood out:

Additional Stories

Also this week: U.S. land drillers signal flat 2026 capex, Great Basin Gas Transmission attracts 800 MMcf/d in requests for its $1.7 billion Nevada expansion, Falkland Islands’ Sea Lion project reaches FID after 15 years and Equinor adds 110 MMboe with three near-field discoveries offshore Norway.

To learn more, reach out to businessdevelopment@enverus.com or visit www.enverus.com.

Enverus Intelligence® Research Press Release - Lower oil prices could lead to Permian spending cuts

5 Essential Tax Prep Strategies for Mineral Managers, Investors and Accounting Professionals

Tax season for mineral asset managers and financial professionals is more than a compliance exercise—it is a strategic opportunity to optimize tax efficiency, reduce liabilities and deliver greater value to mineral owners and stakeholders. With complex portfolios, fluctuating revenue streams and evolving regulations, proactive tax planning and robust recordkeeping are essential. This blog provides actionable steps for tax prep for professionals managing mineral interests, royalty portfolios, and oil and gas investments.

1. Centralize and Digitize Tax Records Year-Round

Mineral managers and accounting teams handle vast amounts of tax-related paperwork: revenue statements, JIBs, 1099s and more. Implement solutions like EnergyLink® to consolidate records, automate data capture and enable one-click exports at tax time. Centralized digital folders streamline compliance and support audit readiness.

2. Proactively Audit for Operator Underpayments

Underpayments—whether due to decimal errors, missing wells or misapplied deductions—can compound over time. Regularly review suspense balances, verify decimal interests and confirm commodity pricing against lease terms. Early detection ensures accurate revenue reporting and protects against IRS scrutiny.

3. Reconcile Cash, Accounts Receivable and 1099s

A defensible tax return starts with rigorous reconciliation. Match revenue to deposits, JIB charges to statements and 1099 totals to internal records. For working interest portfolios, pay special attention to large JIB items, outstanding payables, prepaid balances and suspense activity. Accurate reconciliation prevents double counting and missed income.

4. Organize Acquisition and Divestiture Documentation

Acquisitions, inheritances and divestitures require meticulous documentation: purchase/sale agreements, closing statements, title records and inherited ownership of paperwork. Missing documents can delay filing and create inconsistencies with county and operator records. Organized records enable accurate reporting and efficient CPA collaboration.

5. Prepare a Tax-Ready Packet for Your CPA

A complete, organized tax packet saves CPA time and ensures accurate filing. Provide a single spreadsheet summarizing revenue, expenses, deductions and property-level details. Attach all 1099s, statements, property tax receipts, depletion calculations and acquisition/divestiture documents. Thorough preparation leads to faster, more accurate returns.

Next Steps: Deepen Your Expertise

For a deeper dive into year-end tax preparation strategies, advanced deduction techniques and compliance essentials, watch our exclusive webinar replay: Year-End Tax Preparation for Mineral and Royalty Managers

Enverus Blog - What you should know about the future of mineral acquisitions

Mineral Outlook 2026: 5 Key Trends and Insights for Mineral Owners & Investors

The energy landscape is evolving rapidly, and mineral asset owners, investors and management companies must stay informed to make strategic decisions in 2026. While the U.S. oil and gas industry remains fixated on short-cycle shale returns, global demand patterns are fundamentally changing the rules of the game. Demographics, not just geology, are now driving energy consumption in ways we’ve never seen before. Africa and Asia are emerging as the primary growth engines for global power demand, while developed nations like the U.S., EU and China are seeing their growth rates plateau.

This transformation has profound implications for commodity pricing, basin economics, and ultimately, the value of your mineral assets. This article recaps five essential insights shared during the Mineral Outlook 2026 webinar, highlighting the trends and realities shaping the future of mineral assets.

1. Global Energy Consumption Trends: How Demographics Drive Demand

Global energy growth is slowing, but demand is doubling over the next 25 years—driven by the expanding working-age population in Africa and Asia. Developed regions like the U.S., EU and China are seeing plateauing growth, which impacts commodity pricing and asset values. Understanding these demographic shifts is crucial for anticipating where energy investments and mineral opportunities will arise. The key insight for mineral asset owners is that global dynamics determine commodity prices, but local supply-demand imbalances create the differentials that actually appear on your royalty checks.

2. Natural Gas: The Bridge Fuel for Global Power

While oil demand is expected to plateau, natural gas demand continues to accelerate, especially as LNG becomes the preferred fuel for developing nations. North America is positioned as a key supplier, but infrastructure constraints—such as limited LNG terminals and shipping capacity—create both opportunities and volatility for mineral owners in gas-rich basins. The Russia-Ukraine crisis demonstrated how quickly gas prices can spike when supply is disrupted, but also how quickly they can fall when markets adjust.

3. Oil and Gas Industry Trends: Consolidation and Its Impact

The most significant shift affecting mineral owners isn’t geological or technological—it’s corporate. Major corporate consolidation has concentrated drilling activity among a few supermajors, fundamentally altering the mineral owner’s experience. Permits are now the most reliable indicator of future drilling, and operators increasingly drill entire units at once, front-loading revenue but reducing the steady stream of new wells. Mineral owners must monitor permit activity and be prepared for longer periods between drilling cycles.

4. Basin-Specific Realities Require Strategic Planning

Each basin presents unique challenges and opportunities. The Permian faces pricing pressure due to associated gas, while the Eagle Ford offers ongoing potential through refracts and infill drilling. Mineral owners and investors should understand their basin’s inventory, operator strategies and takeaway capacity to set realistic expectations for future revenue.

5. Navigating an Uncertain Energy Future

The energy transition is unfolding differently than predicted, with renewables growing but not at the anticipated pace. Natural gas will play an even larger role in meeting new demands. Supermajors are refocusing long-term offshore projects, using shale as a cash engine. Success for owners will depend on understanding global forces, maintaining realistic timelines and adopting a strategic, patient approach.

Ready to Learn More?

For a deeper dive into these trends and actionable strategies, watch the full Mineral Outlook 2026 webinar replay and position your mineral portfolio for success.
Watch the Webinar Replay →

Industries

Key takeaways:

Key takeaways:

Navigating Revenue Risk: Alberta’s Hedging Dilemma

President Trump’s Unforeseen Influence on Energy Markets

Natural Gas Forecast: LNG as the True Game Changer

Looking Ahead to 2026

Key Takeaways

How did oil prices fare in 2025?

What was the biggest surprise in energy markets for 2025?

What is the “sleeper story” in natural gas for 2025?

The problem with “good enough” weather data

What exactly is point forecasting?

Why Horizon AI Point gives traders a measurable edge?

Use Case: Winter Storm Elliott: How Precision Timing becomes P&L

What you’ll learn in the full whitepaper

Don’t let the next cold snap become your most expensive lesson

Research Highlights:

DID YOU KNOW?

Key takeaways:

Key takeaways:

Top Stories

Additional Stories

1. Centralize and Digitize Tax Records Year-Round

2. Proactively Audit for Operator Underpayments

3. Reconcile Cash, Accounts Receivable and 1099s

4. Organize Acquisition and Divestiture Documentation

5. Prepare a Tax-Ready Packet for Your CPA

Next Steps: Deepen Your Expertise

1. Global Energy Consumption Trends: How Demographics Drive Demand

2. Natural Gas: The Bridge Fuel for Global Power

3. Oil and Gas Industry Trends: Consolidation and Its Impact

4. Basin-Specific Realities Require Strategic Planning

5. Navigating an Uncertain Energy Future

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