Unprecedented high-grading is now occurring in the US shale industry, amidst challenging industry conditions. This means 2020-21 production surprising to the upside, and we raise our forecasts +0.7 and +0.9Mbpd respectively. Conversely, when shale activity recovers, productivity may disappoint, and we lower our 2022+ forecasts by 0.2-0.9 Mbpd. This 7-page note explores shale productivity data, and the causes and consequences of this whipsaw effect.
