Merger Mayhem

The Justice Department is having a tough time figuring out what constitutes a ‘market’ as it reviews the $58 billion Devon–Coterra merger. It’s a problem that’s been brewing for a while now, and it’s not getting any easier.

Shale Consolidation

As shale consolidation, energy markets, and antitrust policy collide, the DOJ is faced with a shifting oil and gas market that’s making it hard to define what’s a market and what’s not. It’s a bit ridiculous, if you ask me – how can you regulate something you can’t even define?

The Devon–Coterra merger is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s a massive deal that’s got everyone in the industry talking, and the DOJ is under pressure to get it right. But with the oil and gas market changing faster than you can say ‘antitrust policy’, it’s a tough ask.