Major energy decisions are focused on 2026, a year that will determine the course of the oil and gas sector at the corporate level. The firm Wood Mackenzie outlines five strategic lines that will dominate the agenda of companies.
Buybacks lose ground to financial discipline
With a projected drop in crude oil prices and a restrictive macroeconomic environment, oil companies are reevaluating their priorities. Share buybacks, which have been the protagonist in recent years, will be cut back to free up capital to be redirected to upstream projects. upstream projects and structural improvements. This transition aims to strengthen operational efficiency and prepare companies for a volatile scenario.
Focus on U.S. oil and gas as a key driver
Natural gas in the United States is emerging as a strategic player in the new dynamics of mergers and acquisitions. Some independent and international companies see in this segment an opportunity to expand their footprint, diversify revenues and capture synergies. The market could see countercyclical moves that will redefine competition in the short term.
Renewal of portfolios and energy tensions
While ExxonMobil and BP are flexibly projecting beyond 2030, other majors face pressure to accelerate the renewal of their exploration and production assets. Strategies differ according to each company’s profile, but all converge on the need to adapt quickly to new market conditions.
NOCs in the face of internal growth and global projection
National oil companies(NOCs) face a crossroads: sustaining local development while seeking to expand their international presence. In 2026 they will have to optimize resources, redefine priorities and face complex decisions that will put their strategic autonomy to the test.
Artificial intelligence gains traction as a critical tool
The digitization of the industry continues to advance and artificial intelligence is beginning to play a tangible role. From fault prediction to process optimization, the adoption of AI-based solutions could be a differentiator in long-term efficiency and profitability.
Source: Wood Mackenzie
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