Despite all the industry claims in regards to shale profitability within the current oil price range, there are clearly many companies which are struggling and will not be able to operate forever within the current price range. One such company is Whiting Petroleum (WLL), which is losing money so far this year, with the latest quarter showing some worrying signs that suggest that Whiting cannot survive the current price environment indefinitely.
Losing money while production is declining
In the early years of the shale boom, the lack of profits industry-wide was justified by