Upstream and E&P

The upstream oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) sector is vital for meeting global energy needs. ADI Analytics empowers clients with deep expertise and advanced analytics across the entire asset and well lifecycle—from prospect generation to asset retirement—by offering domain-specific insight, proprietary databases, and growth support grounded in strong market fundamentals and technical fluency.

upstream oil and gas

Navigating a volatile E&P landscape

Today’s upstream sector operates in a high-stakes environment where market dynamics are acutely sensitive. Geopolitical instability can spike prices, while economic slowdowns depress demand. Furthermore, innovation and technology advancements constantly reshape costs and benchmarks, yet are reaching maturity in several key assets, such as North American shale plays.

Balancing sustainability and commercial reality

The sector involves massive, long-lead time investments and complex service contracts. Companies are under increasing pressure to balance long-term sustainability with immediate returns, often favoring lower-risk assets amid price volatility. Current policies, such as stricter methane rules and debates over leasing, demand significant infrastructure investments and impact overall production costs.

Innovation for competitive resource development

Crucially, continuous innovation in technology, cost structures, and business models remains vital for staying competitive. Whether operating in onshore conventional and unconventional plays (shale, CBM, tight sands, oil sands) or offshore operations in shallow and deep waters, companies must maintain strategic foresight to thrive in today’s challenging landscape.

How ADI helps

ADI Analytics provides expert databases, models, analytics, and consulting, leveraging deep upstream oil & gas E&P experience across shale, offshore, conventional, unconventional, heavy oil, and oil sands. We help you navigate and capitalize on opportunities by addressing:

Market analysis and forecasting: In-depth basin-level supply forecasts to well performance; demand for refining, petrochemicals, exports; crude differentials and takeaway; market intelligence for upstream equipment and services across drilling, completions, production, and secondary and tertiary recovery.

Cost and economic analysis: Detailed well economics (CAPEX, OPEX, LOE) at regional, asset, and reservoir lifecycle stages; cost estimates for greenfield/brownfield developments; feasibility studies (IRR, NPV, payout) for upstream projects and initial midstream.

Strategy and planning: Corporate strategy, portfolio rationalization, and business planning at the company, business unit, and asset levels from play identification through asset retirement obligation (ARO) stages; technology assessments; R&D planning; and market entry for upstream-focused providers.

Transaction support: M&A advisory including asset scouting, technical/commercial due diligence (PDP, PUD, PNP reserves, lifting costs), DCF valuations for E&P operators and service companies.

Industry experience

Upstream portfolio review for national oil company

ADI Analytics led a two-phase project to support a national oil company’s review of its upstream portfolio, covering conventional, unconventional, offshore, and oil sands assets. The client A national oil company reviewing and reshaping its upstream asset portfolio. The situation The client needed a structured approach to evaluate existing assets, define a target portfolio under […]

Refracturing technologies and strategy assessment

ADI Analytics conducted an assessment of refracturing technologies and strategies to support an oil and gas major’s evaluation of unconventional well refracturing opportunities. The client A major oil and gas company evaluating refracturing opportunities in unconventional plays. The situation The client needed a comprehensive view of refracturing technologies, costs, market practices, and strategic opportunities to […]

Assessing artificial lift methods for U.S. oil plays

ADI Analytics analyzed gas lift solutions for an independent artificial lift firm, assessing technology, market potential, and adoption trends to guide its strategic growth. The client Independent artificial lift service company The situation The client, an independent artificial lift service company, required a comprehensive assessment of their gas lift technology to evaluate its market position, […]

Asset valuation for African oil and gas company

ADI Analytics supported an African oil and gas company in valuing its upstream assets and developing an informed investment strategy. The client An African oil and gas company evaluating upstream asset investment and development options. The situation The client needed valuation support and strategic guidance to assess its asset portfolio and determine a viable investment […]

Benchmarking corporate functions for a valued oil & gas client

ADI Analytics conducted a benchmarking study of corporate functions such as sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and government affairs for a mid-sized oil and gas company. The client A mid-sized oil and gas company seeking to strengthen key corporate functions. The situation The client needed a comparative analysis of its performance across core corporate functions […]

Shale gas strategy development for E&P player

ADI Analytics supported a leading exploration and production (E&P) independent in developing its shale gas strategy, including organizational design, process development, and opportunity evaluation. The client A leading independent E&P company pursuing entry into shale gas. The situation The client needed to establish a strategic foundation, processes, and organization to enter and scale up operations […]

Wet gas and multiphase compression technology assessment

ADI Analytics conducted a comprehensive technology assessment of wet gas and multiphase compression systems to help an integrated oil and gas company understand emerging innovations and key players. The client An integrated oil and gas major evaluating wet gas and multiphase compression technologies for potential application in upstream operations. The situation The client wanted to […]

Assessment and identification of promising shale gas plays

An E&P company sought to strategically diversify its portfolio by assessing and identifying high-potential unconventional resources. The client A Canadian exploration and production (E&P) company looking to expand beyond its conventional oil and gas reserves. The situation The client wanted to enter the unconventional resources market, which was, at the time, characterized by high costs […]

India shale gas market assessment

ADI conducted an assessment for an exploration technology licensor to help understand the India shale gas market and develop a strategy for market entry. The client An exploration technology and tools licensor The situation The client wanted to understand the potential of the shale gas market in India to develop a marketing strategy. Despite the […]

Customer Results
ADI has very strong experience crafting the work product, and provides the opportunity for feedback through the deep interaction about where the work is going.
Alexander Rozenfeld VP, Shell Technology Ventures

Related insights

Article Icon Article

Why oil is likely to fall back into the $60s by end‑2026

Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. Oil prices have surged again, driven by the Iran conflict and fears of disruption in the Middle East. These risks matter, and they explain today’s prices. But history and current fundamentals suggest they […]

Premium content Icon Premium content

Iran conflict implications on oil prices and stakeholders

Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. The global energy landscape has been fundamentally altered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Following the onset of hostilities on February 28, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz remains functionally impaired, stranding […]

Article Icon Article

The Iran conflict and oil markets

Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. The military escalation following the February 28, 2026 strikes on Iran has shifted global oil and gas markets from a projected oversupply to acute geopolitical scarcity. This transformation is driven by logistical and […]