Only few shale executives have committed to significant increases in capex. 2022 total cash flow for shale drillers may top all they’ve earned over the past 20 years. Inflationary pressure is taking its toll on shale oil production Back in mid-February, Pioneer Natural Resources’ Scott Sheffield told Bloomberg that “Whether it’s $150 oil, $200 oil, or $100 oil, we’re not going to change our growth plans.” Despite all that has happened since then, centered on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the attitude expressed by Sheffield in February has not changed, even though shale drillers are now almost literally raking in the cash after years of sinking in debt. This year, U.S. shale oil companies will generate as much as $180 billion in free cash flow, according to Rystad Energy, the Financial Times wrote . According to S&P Global Community Insights, this year’s total cash for shale drillers would top all […]