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Rising Oil Prices and M&A: “It Looks Like a Very Busy Fourth Quarter”

Merger and acquisition activity in Texas was busier during the third quarter of 2021 than it had been in seven years. How will M&A in the fourth quarter be impacted by West Texas crude once again closing above $80 a barrel? The Texas Lawbook asked five partners who do a lot of dealmaking in the oil patch to get their opinion. Here’s what they said:

Robin Fredrickson, Latham & Watkins

I think rising prices will slow M&A down for a little bit as I sense that folks don’t believe the prices will hold high.

For this reason, the bid/ask is off currently.  Buyers are hesitant to pay based on the blip in the prices and sellers think they should get the benefit of the blip.  If prices hold or keep going up, then M&A will pick back up.  So short term it hurts M&A and long term it may help M&A.  

Claire Poole

Claire Poole is a senior writer at The Texas Lawbook, where she covers corporate transactions.

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