High-impact oil and gas exploration is expected to remain robust into 2026, with Africa projected to lead global wildcat drilling activity as operators build on a strong 2025 program, according to Rystad Energy. The consultancy reports that the success rate for high-impact wildcat wells climbed to 38% from 23% in 2024, while discovered volumes rose 53% year over year to about 2.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Sustained exploration momentum and growing African frontier plays could influence future supply expectations and longer-term pricing dynamics for both Oil – US Crude and Natural Gas, even though the impact on near-term balances will depend on project sanctioning and development timelines.
Claim 50% Off TipRanks Premium
- Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions
- Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential
Over the past month, Oil – US Crude has gained about 10.76%, reflecting tighter supply expectations and improved risk sentiment around demand, while Natural Gas has risen roughly 22.33%, suggesting stronger market sensitivity to potential changes in global LNG prospects and weather-driven demand. From a short-term trading perspective, the 1-day technical indicator for US crude points to a Buy signal, and natural gas also shows a Buy signal, indicating bullish momentum in both contracts, though these signals may be vulnerable to shifts in macro data, inventory trends, and evolving expectations for Africa’s future output. Investors can explore more updates, prices, and analysis across global markets at Commodities.