Global upstream M&A is bouncing back. The recent increase in asset acquisitions saw North American deal flow hit its highest level since 2019, while across the rest of the world M&A activity is showing signs of a gradual – if uneven - recovery from the abyss of 2020. This isn’t a huge surprise, given the horrendous challenges companies faced last year as lockdowns and crashing oil prices paralysed the market. But with recovery in prices and demand, and success with ongoing vaccine rollouts, optimism is creeping back into the market. Asia Pacific is playing a key part in this story. Following a miserable 2020, in ... (full story)