Core Viewpoint - Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. has appointed Bobby Saadati as an independent member of its board of directors, effective February 4, 2026, which is expected to enhance the company's strategic direction and shareholder value [1][4]. Company Overview - Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. is a growth-oriented upstream oil and gas company operating in Texas and New Mexico, with infrastructure projects that complement its operations [4]. New Board Member Profile - Bobby Saadati is a senior executive in the oil and gas industry with extensive experience in energy investing, operations, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate strategy [2]. - Saadati has served as CEO of IKAV Energy USA since May 2020 and has held leadership roles at Aera Energy, California Resources Corporation, Devon Energy, Jefferies, and BP [3]. - He holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego, a J.D. from Trinity Law School, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago [3]. Leadership Statement - Riley Permian's Chairman and CEO, Bobby Riley, expressed confidence that Saadati's diverse track record and operational leadership will add value to the board and enhance long-term shareholder value [4].

Core Viewpoint - Ovintiv Inc. has appointed Gregory P. Hill as an independent member of its board of directors, effective January 30, 2026, bringing extensive experience in the energy sector [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Gregory P. Hill, aged 64, retired in 2025 as President of Worldwide Exploration & Production and Executive Vice President of Hess Corporation [2]. - Hill has over four decades of experience in the energy industry, having held senior leadership roles at Hess, Shell, and Aera Energy, managing significant global portfolios [2]. Group 2: Contributions and Expectations - Hill's previous role at Hess involved overseeing portfolio transformation and operational excellence, with notable growth in regions such as Guyana, the Bakken, and the Gulf of America [2]. - Ovintiv's Chairman, Peter Dea, expressed confidence that Hill's technical expertise and leadership will enhance long-term shareholder value [3].

A pipeline owned by California Resources Corporation subsidiary Aera Energy spilled 96 barrels of produced fluid — a mixture of oil and water — early Friday morning at an oil field in California’s Central Coast https://t.co/eBosnWb6Fq ...

Group 1: Acquisition Details - California Resources Corp. (CRC) plans to acquire Berry Corp. in an all-stock deal valued at $717 million, with Berry shareholders receiving a 15% premium on their shares [1][2] - The merger has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals [1] Group 2: Company Performance and Synergies - CRC has undergone a significant turnaround, exiting bankruptcy in 2020 with $5 billion of debt erased and restoring profitability, followed by the acquisition of Aera Energy for $2.1 billion [2] - The combined company is projected to produce approximately 161,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in Q2, with about 81% being oil [2] - CRC anticipates annual synergies of $80–90 million from the merger, representing about 12% of the deal value, primarily from overlapping corporate functions and operational efficiencies [3] Group 3: Regulatory Environment - Recent legislation in Kern County, including SB 237, allows for the approval of up to 2,000 new drilling permits annually, a significant increase from only 84 permits issued in 2024 [4] - Another bill, SB 614, aims to lift the moratorium on CO2 pipelines, which supports CRC's Carbon Terra Vault joint venture, crucial for scaling its carbon management business [4]