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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on Friday

The new operating entity will be Apex Energy.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on Saturday

https://apexenergyllc.com/

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant 8 hours ago

No official announcements this morning from Citadel or Paloma.  Social media energy pundits are beginning to speculate.  Here is an example.

Citadel bets $1.2 billion on Paloma NG's Haynesville Shale assets

Nathan Hammer

🔨 I translate industrial complexity into actionable clarity 📩 nathanhammer.substack.com

March 14, 2025  Synergizing America

Miami-based hedge fund giant Citadel has acquired Paloma Natural Gas, a key player in the Haynesville Shale, for $1.2 billion. Announced in February 2025 and highlighted on X by Teddy KGB Gambino and recently on Hart Energy’s website, this deal marks Citadel’s bold entry into physical energy assets, signaling a strategic pivot for a firm traditionally focused on trading. The intersection of energy, technology, and finance is driving transformative shifts in America’s industrial future and Citadel’s acquisition is the latest evidence of this convergence.

Why Haynesville? The Natural Gas Boom

The Haynesville Shale, spanning Louisiana and Texas, is one of the U.S.’s largest natural gas basins, producing nearly 14% of the nation’s dry natural gas. Paloma’s assets--140 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of production in 2024, plus 60 undeveloped locations--position Citadel to capitalize on soaring demand. With natural gas prices averaging $4.58 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) over the next year, and driven by LNG exports, AI data centers, and power generation needs, this acquisition aligns with the ongoing energy needs trends.

A Hedge Fund’s Unusual Play

Citadel, managing $65 billion, has built a reputation in commodities trading, particularly natural gas, since launching its energy trading arm in 2014. But owning production assets is uncharted territory for a hedge fund. The deal, reported by Hart Energy, includes acreage and producing wells, raising questions about Citadel’s operational expertise. As I discuss in America’s 2nd Manhattan Project, the U.S. is embarking on a massive energy transformation, akin to historical industrial leaps. Citadel’s move could be a bet on vertical integration, reducing supply chain risks, or a speculative play on rising prices--both of which echo the strategic foresight I mentioned in Chevron’s Bold Step Forward: Powering AI with Natural Gas, where Chevron announced its expansion of their natural gas power production footprint to meet similar demands.

With Lee Zeldin’s recent EPA deregulatory announcement, it is presumed these projects will happen at a pace similar of the advancement of AI.

Strategic Implications

This acquisition reflects broader industry consolidation in the Haynesville Shale, where companies like Southwestern Energy and Chevron have also made big moves. It also underscores the growing role of tech players in energy markets, potentially signaling a trend we’ve all talked a lot about: the need for massive energy infrastructure to support tech-driven growth. However, risks loom… natural gas price volatility, and Citadel’s lack of E&P experience could challenge this venture. Still, the potential upside is enormous, especially as AI’s energy appetite continues to grow.

What’s Next?

Citadel’s jump into natural gas production and potentially operations could set a precedent for hedge funds entering physical asset markets, reshaping energy dynamics. America’s energy future hinges on innovation and bold bets--like those powering AI data centers, LNG exports, and industrial revitalization. Whether Citadel can navigate this new terrain remains to be seen, but this deal is a fascinating chapter in the story of America’s energy renaissance.

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Permalink Reply by M B Gilster 7 hours ago

2025’s shaping up to be an interesting yr. Skip given the slight uptick w/ NG pricing, AI marching on, LNG exports growing & now a hedge jumping in perhaps on the op. side.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant 5 hours ago

Private Equity (PE) have funded numerous Hayesville operators over the years.  Unless Citadel is looking to take a much bigger bite like acquiring Aethon's HA assets, I doubt that it will make any significant difference.  Aethon has been looking for a buyer for years but obviously is looking for the right buyer at the right price.  Citadel would seem to be making an investment that is unusual for the fund historically.

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