Insights
MEG Energy delivers top Q3 netback among oil-weighted producers in North America
New data from Evaluate Energy shows that MEG Energy’s oilsands operations generate the highest overall operating netback per barrel among North America’s most heavily oil-weighted producers.
This analysis was conducted using publicly listed producers in Canada and the United States.
“MEG ranks highly in the group because it only produces oil. It has no lower-margin natural gas sales weighing down its revenues, much like most of the companies here in the top 5 oil producers,” said Mark Young, Senior Analyst at Evaluate Energy.
“At just $2/boe back from MEG in Q3 netbacks, one could argue that Pioneer has the ‘best’ netback of the group, as it is only 80% weighted towards oil production,” Young continued. “Every other company in the top 5 oil producers is weighted at least 89% towards oil.”
To download the data, click here.
On the gas-heavy side, it was a similar story.
Three Canadians ranked highly, with netbacks of almost $9.00/boe recorded by Birchcliff Energy, Tourmaline Oil and ARC Resources, but it was one of the American contingent here that stands out.
“Comstock Resources’ $7.46 operating netback per boe is extremely noteworthy from the gas producers,” he said. “The other high ranking gas producers all had a portfolio made up of over 20% oil and liquids in Q3, while Comstock is almost exclusively (98%) a natural gas producer which would limit its revenues per boe relative to the rest of the group.”
Comstock’s low production costs played a large role in generating the relatively high netback. For more on these costs, read our article from last week via the Daily Oil Bulletin.