Houston M&A partner Mingda Zhao was featured in a Q&A published by Financier Worldwide Magazine exploring the latest trends, drivers and strategic considerations shaping mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. oil and gas sector (“Consolidation in the US Oil and Gas Industry,” January 2026).
Mr. Zhao said a number of “converging forces” are causing the latest consolidation wave in the industry, including “relatively flat commodity prices, the industry’s push for scale and cost efficiencies, maturing of shale plays and a generally favourable regulatory and economic environment.”
Mr. Zhao also highlighted another factor behind consolidation in the industry: acquisitions focused on capabilities.