A 3D-printed oil pump jack is placed on dollar banknotes in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020.
Details of the transaction were not disclosed. Crescent Energy, with a market value of approximately $2.5 billion, focuses on producing oil and gas from mature wells, which offer stable output and consistent returns despite lower growth potential compared to new shale wells. Vital Energy, valued at about $600 million, carries roughly $2.3 billion in long-term debt. Neither company provided immediate comments when contacted.
Following the news, Vital Energy’s shares increased by more than 7% to $16.92 in after-hours trading, while Crescent Energy’s shares dipped slightly by about 1% to $9.85. The market response reflects investor interest in the potential acquisition and its implications for both firms.
Crescent’s current operations are primarily in the Eagle Ford Basin in South Texas and the Uinta Basin in Utah. Earlier this year, in January 2025, Crescent completed a $1 billion acquisition of Ridgemar Energy’s assets in the Eagle Ford, expanding its portfolio. Vital Energy, meanwhile, holds approximately 267,000 net acres in the Permian Basin and produces around 137,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to its website.
The U.S. shale industry has seen reduced merger and acquisition activity in the second quarter of 2025 due to fluctuations in energy and equity markets. However, the pursuit of operational scale continues to drive consolidation efforts, as larger asset bases can improve efficiency and competitiveness.
This potential acquisition aligns with Crescent’s strategy to expand its presence in key U.S. energy regions while leveraging Vital’s established Permian Basin assets to enhance production capacity.
