ExxonMobil Internally Discussing Potential Acquisitions

ExxonMobil Corp. has been holding internal, early-stage discussions about potential acquisitions, including a look at Australia's Woodside Energy, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The news was reported by Rigzone on Friday, June 13.

While the discussions are preliminary and internal, any major strategic move by a supermajor like ExxonMobil is closely watched by the entire oil and gas industry. The company is a significant operator in the Bakken formation through its subsidiary XTO Energy, making its corporate strategy directly relevant to North Dakota's oil sector.

For Bakken operators, consolidation led by large players can reshape the competitive landscape. Acquisitions can lead to asset portfolios being reshuffled, potentially putting new blocks of Bakken acreage on the market or bringing them under more capitalized ownership. This activity can influence local drilling schedules, midstream commitments, and service company contracts.

A potential pursuit of a large international target like Woodside would represent a major strategic shift for ExxonMobil, which has historically grown its shale portfolio through multi-billion dollar acquisitions of domestic shale players, including its landmark purchase of XTO Energy in 2010. A large deal could redirect capital and managerial focus, potentially affecting investment levels in its existing U.S. unconventional assets.

The Bakken formation remains a core, cash-generating asset for many major operators. Industry observers will monitor whether ExxonMobil's deliberations lead to a broader acquisition spree that includes further consolidation within the U.S. shale patch, which could include Bakken assets. For now, the company has not made any formal announcements regarding a deal.