Responding to oil and gas disruption

Despite the shakeups the industry has experienced over the years, however, recent events portend a new and perhaps even more disruptive market:

• A black swan event, COVID-19, is driving a demand-side shock that’s expected to result in approximately 3-5 million bpd through the end of 2020 (Figure 1). Overall, we expect global oil demand to be lower in 2020 than last year, which hasn’t happened in more than a decade.
• Meanwhile, we’re seeing a concurrent supply-side shock stemming from OPEC+ and Saudi Arabia’s plan to open the floodgates on oil supply precisely when the economy is preparing for a contraction.

• About 60 million bpd is used in transportation—road, sea and air.
• A 10-15% contraction in transportation in Q2 is ~6-9 million bpd reduction in crude oil demand.
• A global recession will put further pressure on the remaining 40 million bpd of nontransportation demand.

The confluence of these two shocks creates an unprecedented situation—hence difficult to predict—but if we piece together the various elements of supply and demand in light of these events, it appears that the impact could last well into 2021 (Figure 2) with a disproportionate impact on US production. However, it is safe to say that we are in for a turbulent 2020, and a lukewarm 2021 in which commodity markets will be under pressure, and it’s hard to see any winners at this time given the looming recession. Producer nations, investors, O&G companies themselves, and green/new energy businesses stand to lose.

What's different this time around?

Simultaneous demand contraction and a concurrent ramp-up in supply is unprecedented. We are in uncharted waters, and it isn’t clear who will win this game of brinkmanship. We expect current low prices to prevail and quite possibly drop even further if OPEC+ continues the flood-the-market stance given the demand destruction and resulting oversupply (Figure 3).

The O&G industry was already in a state of disruption leading up to these events. Sector returns were under pressure, capital was flowing out of the industry, and decarbonization headwinds were strengthening to capital increases. North American operators in particular were in a more precarious position than they were in 2014. Capital availability had almost dried out—investors were cheering capital cuts and penalizing capital expansion. Oil stocks were being hammered across the board and were even below 2014 levels (Figure 4).

Additionally, resources became more abundant, the market more competitive and alternative energy sources more prevalent, pulling the bar lower for alternatives to specific sources of O&G supply. The downstream sector that served as a cushion in 2014/15 for the industry at large, for pure play refiners, and for international oil companies (IOCs) as a result of improved margins, will not be a savior in this cycle – the potential for higher margins will be blunted by reduced volumes as a result of the economic contraction.

As for natural gas, the onset of a global recession will affect demand, though not as much as oil. However, supply adjustment will be limited, and even associated gas reduction will take time, resulting in a continued downside price risk. At the same time, however, this price risk will be more subdued than oil as the gas market was already fending off a market glut before the crisis hit.

The implications of this will vary by sector (Figure 5):

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What will remain the same?

Despite chatter about peak O&G markets and until recent events threw the market into a tailspin, the demand for both oil and gas was growing. Also, once the global economy stabilizes there's no indication that growth won’t return as the world still needs oil and gas to sustain development and drive prosperity in the developing world, not to mention meeting the needs of an estimated 2+ billion people who’ll join the global population.

Also, while the economics of O&G extraction have improved considerably since the last supply shock in 2014—by up to $10-$20 per barrel—ultimately the full-cycle breakeven economics of the marginal barrel will set the equilibrium price. And that breakeven price is still in the high $50s to low $60s per barrel. Markets can stay irrational temporarily, but ultimately fundamentals will prevail.

Challenging times call for intelligent measures—both traditional and non-traditional. The industry has dug itself out of many shocks and proven naysayers wrong in the past (think peak oil that preceded the 2014 supply renaissance and disruption). However, it is now faced with concurrent disruption at an existential, system-wide and best-in-class player level—risks that will truly test its tenacity and durability. Making difficult but informed decisions and following a strategic roadmap, however, will help oil companies.

Projections based on Accenture analysis and experience working with oil and gas companies.

Disclaimer: This document is intended for general informational purposes only and does not take into account the reader’s specific circumstances, and may not reflect the most current developments. Accenture disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information in this presentation and for any acts or omissions made based on such information. Accenture does not provide legal, regulatory, audit, or tax advice. Readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel or other licensed professionals.