The U.S. shale oil plays, including the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Uinta, Midcontinent, Bakken, and Denver-Julesburg, remain central to the country's natural gas and oil production, each offering unique resource quality and production efficiency advantages. The Permian Basin is the backbone of U.S. shale oil production, while the Uinta Basin, despite its processing and transportation challenges, is one of the top emerging plays in the country. Meanwhile, legacy assets like the Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Midcontinent are experiencing new projects and development. In this opening session, you’ll hear from an industry leader who will offer their insight into the U.S. shale oil industry, its role in global energy production, and its role in U.S. energy security.

Herb Vogel, President and CEO of SM Energy, is leading the company with a strategic focus on efficient drilling and production in key oil and gas plays, including the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale. Under Vogel’s leadership, SM Energy is advancing its operations by optimizing well performance and increasing capital discipline to ensure sustainable production growth. Looking ahead, SM Energy plans to continue expanding its drilling activities in high-return areas, prioritizing cost-effective strategies and a strong emphasis on operational efficiency to drive long-term shareholder value.

Tim Rezvan, Managing Director of KeyBanc, will discuss the macro-outlook on U.S. shale oil production and pricing, highlighting how the sector’s efficiency gains have led to stronger production growth despite volatile market conditions. This session will focus on the ongoing balance between supply growth from shale plays and the global demand for oil, particularly in light of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Rezvan will also explore the pricing dynamics, noting that while U.S. shale remains a key contributor to global oil supply, producers increasingly prioritize capital discipline and returns over aggressive expansion, which could influence future price trends.
 

This Permian Basin operator, looking toward 2025, sees significant opportunities driven by the region’s rich oil and gas reserves, continued technological advancements, and infrastructure improvements. With ongoing optimization of drilling techniques and focusing on high-return assets, operators are poised to increase production while maintaining capital discipline and enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, as global oil demand continues to rise, the Permian Basin's ability to serve as a key source of supply positions it as a critical player in meeting domestic and international energy needs in the coming years.

This session will explore the challenges and strategies for oil and gas companies seeking funding in today’s tight capital environment. Experts will discuss how limited access to traditional financing is driving companies to adapt, with a greater emphasis on operational efficiency, strategic partnerships, and alternative sources of capital. As investors remain cautious, the session will highlight how companies can navigate these constraints to fund exploration, production, and infrastructure projects while ensuring strong returns for stakeholders.

According to current forecasts, the Bakken Shale play is expected to grow in 2025, with analysts predicting a steady increase in oil production driven by improved technology and consolidation of assets, particularly with Chevron's pending acquisition of Hess's Bakken operations. The Bakken Shale remains one of the most prolific oil plays in the U.S., with continued production growth driven by drilling technology and infrastructure advances. While the Bakken sees steady output, the nearby D-J Basin is also experiencing increased production, which is forecasted to further boost overall energy output through 2025. As both regions evolve, the increased oil production in the Bakken and D-J basins is expected to play a crucial role in meeting rising domestic and international energy demand, with strong investment continuing to flow into both plays.

The founder of Continental Resources, Harold Hamm has long advocated for energy-secure U.S. policy, developing oil and gas resources at home rather than reliance on supplies from unfriendly sources abroad. With a new U.S.-energy-first White House now that is also quickly shredding decades of overbuilt red tape, Hamm's lifelong work has culminated with a U.S. "energy has" victory. Learn here about what this win will bring to generations of Americans and allies alike.

This session will showcase the growing opportunities in the New Mexico portion of the Permian Basin, which continues to attract significant investment due to its rich oil and gas reserves. Operators are capitalizing on enhanced drilling techniques and infrastructure improvements, which have led to higher production efficiency and cost reductions. With increasing demand for oil and natural gas, this spotlight session will highlight how New Mexico’s Permian Basin offers promising prospects for long-term growth and value creation in the energy sector.

Midcontinent shale operators will look to focus on optimizing production and managing costs amidst fluctuating oil prices. The Scoop/Stack play will remain a key area of focus for development, with operators leveraging advanced drilling techniques to maximize well performance and enhance resource recovery. Operators will also need to monitor technological advancements and market trends to stay competitive in the evolving landscape of U.S. shale production. In this operator spotlight, a leading Midcontinent producer will share details around its operational plan, capex allocation and perspective around short- and long-term regional shale development.

Improved efficiencies in extended-reach laterals are transforming well designs in the Permian Basin, allowing operators to tap into previously inaccessible reserves and enhance production rates. By optimizing extended reach techniques, producers and service providers are reducing drilling costs and increasing the productivity of each well, leading to more efficient use of capital and resources. These advancements contribute to significant production improvements, allowing operators to meet growing demand while maintaining strong returns on investment in the Permian’s highly competitive landscape.
 

The second Permian Basin session at SUPER DUG will focus on the latest drilling and production techniques, exploring how operators adapt to the region’s evolving challenges and maximize output across the field. Operators continue to view the Permian Basin as a critical and high-return asset, leveraging advancements in drilling efficiency, well designs, and production optimization to maintain its status as one of the world’s most prolific oil plays. With increased investment in technology, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, operators are well-positioned to boost production while improving cost-efficiency in this highly competitive basin through 2025.

This Eagle Ford operator session will provide perspective on drilling and production across the South Texas play, highlighting the strategies and innovations driving efficiency in one of the U.S.'s most established shale plays. Operators are focusing on optimizing well designs, increasing lateral lengths, and implementing advanced technologies to boost production and reduce costs. With ongoing investments in infrastructure and digital solutions, operators are poised to enhance production capabilities and increase returns, making Eagle Ford an attractive opportunity for continued growth and development in 2025.