ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) agreed to increase its Papua LNG interest from 28.7% to 34.1% and ***** ume operatorship, as disclosed on September 7. The proposed ownership percentages reflect Papua New Guinea's state participation rights.
Papua LNG targets a fourth-quarter 2026 final investment decision, or FID. Santos Limited (ASX:STO) disclosed FID as a closing condition for its own stake acquisition; the operatorship announcement did not specify an equivalent condition.
TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) said redesign and contractor rebidding had reduced estimated development spending by nearly $4 billion since 2024 to approximately $14 billion. The project would produce 5.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually. The question is whether that smaller budget can support attractive returns through construction and an uncertain LNG market.
ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) already operates neighboring PNG LNG. Combining operatorship could improve coordination during construction and operations, including the redesigned handling of upstream condensate. That gives the proposed efficiency gains a practical basis in existing infrastructure and local experience.
The cost reduction is substantial. Mechanically, nearly $4 billion off an approximately $18 billion previous estimate represents about 22%. For ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM), lower development spending would reduce the capital required to generate each future dollar of project cash flow, ***** uming production and operating economics hold.

#holdings #operatorship

On September 2, Shell Offshore, a subsidiary of Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL), announced the acquisition of a 30% working interest in Conifer, an exploration prospect operated by BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Located offshore within Keathley Canyon near BP's Kaskida host development, Conifer represents a significant deep-water play. BP retains operatorship, with the initial exploration well expected to spud in 2027. While the deal reflects shared risk and capital efficiency in high-cost offshore basins, comparing the two giants' Q2 2026 earnings shows that Shell is currently executing from a position of superior financial strength.
Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) delivered an exceptionally clean Q2 2026 report. Adjusted earnings reached $9.8 billion, driven by record upstream production in Brazil and record refinery utilization, which offset Middle East operational outages. Cash flow from operations (CFFO) came in at $21.4 billion, supported by higher realized prices and a $3.4 billion working capital inflow. Shell maintained strict capital discipline, reiterating its full-year capex outlook of $24 billion–$26 billion while completing $5.8 billion in structural cost reductions since 2022. Balance sheet health remains robust, with gearing at 19% and net debt at $42 billion ($12 billion excluding leases).
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) also turned in a solid Q2 recovery, but its headline metrics lag behind Shell's scale. BP reported underlying replacement cost profit (its proxy for net income) of $5.7 billion, a 78% quarter-over-quarter rebound fueled by strong refining margins and oil trading. Operating cash flow reached $10.9 billion after absorbing a $1.0 billion working capital build. BP used strong cash generation to trim net debt down to $22.25 billion, while guiding full-year capex to $13.5 billion–$14.0 billion.
Although BP raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to 8.66 cents, Shell's cash engine allowed it to announce its 19th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion in share buybacks, distributing 44% of CFFO over the trailing 12 months.
Shell's bull case centers on superior capital allocation, aggressive portfolio high-grading, including the ARC Resources acquisition targeting a 4% production CAGR through 2030, and consistent share buybacks. The bear case focuses on execution risks in integrated gas and LNG amid volatile market conditions, as well as the challenges of integrating large-scale acquisitions.

#cost

Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) signed a nonbinding letter of intent under which SOCAR would pay $1.65 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments. SOCAR would acquire non-operated working interests representing 20% of the Legacy Haynesville and 15% of the Western Haynesville upstream interests held by Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK). SOCAR would also acquire 15% of the 73% ownership interest held by Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) in Pinnacle Gas Services.
The letter of intent requires good-faith negotiations but does not obligate completion. The parties are targeting a definitive agreement by October 31, 2026, and closing by year-end, subject to negotiations, approvals, and customary conditions.
Separately, a Jerry Jones family partnership will fund 85% of the drilling and completion costs for 18 Western Haynesville wells and 80% for nine Legacy Haynesville wells. The total 27-well program is expected to cost approximately $450 million over 12 months. After a 15% return on investment, 50% of the interest covered by the venture will revert to Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK).
If the SOCAR transaction closes, Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) estimates that the proceeds would reduce company-defined non-GAAP net debt from $3.1 billion to $1.5 billion as of June 30, 2026. Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. The approximately $1.6 billion reduction would nearly halve the measure and could improve financial flexibility.
The drilling venture allows development to continue without equivalent near-term cash funding. Following completion of the SOCAR transaction, Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) would retain operatorship of the upstream ****** ets and control of Pinnacle Gas Services. Drilling should provide volumes to Pinnacle and help delineate the 545,000 net acres in the Western Haynesville.

#SOCAR

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the most undervalued NYSE stocks to invest in. On June 16, ******* eniQ Energy signed an agreement to grant Chevron a 70% interest in the Block 10 offshore concession in the Kyparissiakos Gulf, Greece. Under the deal, ******* eniQ Energy will retain a 30% stake, while Chevron will ******* ume project operatorship, utilizing its expertise in global deepwater exploration to evaluate the region's hydrocarbon potential.
This partnership marks the fifth joint offshore concession between the two companies in Greece, following previous collaborations south of Crete and the Peloponnese. Block 10 is currently in the second phase of its exploration program, having already completed 2D and 3D seismic surveys that have provided critical insights into the area's complex geological structure.
Both companies emphasized that this agreement strengthens their strategic alignment in the Mediterranean, a region identified as a key growth area for Chevron Corporation's (NYSE:CVX) global exploration portfolio. Moving forward, the partners plan to conduct further technical ******* ysis and ******* sments to guide future drilling decisions in this frontier territory.
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) operates as a fully integrated energy company, producing crude oil and natural gas, manufacturing fuels, lubricants, and petrochemicals, and developing technologies aimed at improving efficiency across its operations and the broader energy industry.
While we acknowledge the potential of CVX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.