Perry Spitznagel comments extensively on M&A trends in the energy sector in "M&A will remain high in '08 and shouldn't be feared since Canada can keep up," written by Romina Maurino of The Canadian Press. While the article addresses M&A trends for a number of sectors, Perry speaks specifically to the energy sector and oil patch.
Some of his predictions include a "survival-of-the-fittest shake-out in the energy sector" in 2008 which may involve the consolidation of a lot of junior natural gas producers due to the low price of natural gas. Perry also suggests that conventional Canadian oil-and-gas companies will be looking internationally for lower-cost and high-reward finds, while the "survivors" will be looking outward to scoop up international assets while larger international players will look closely at the oilsands.
Bennett Jones