US independent shale oil producers plowed money into output growth in the second quarter at the fastest rate in three years, a departure from the fiscal discipline that’s been the industry’s focus, according to a report from research firm Rystad Energy. Reinvestment rate surged to 72% in the second quarter, highs not seen since 2020, according to the study focusing on 18 companies that collectively account for about 40% of US shale output. The cash injection comes as the steep drop in output from US shale wells is turning out to be worse than expected, Rystad notes. The depleted fields have forced oil drillers to ... (full story)