With 2021 soon coming to a close and commodity prices having stabilized, the theme of the oil and gas industry can be described as cautious optimism.

Shareholder focus, new investment options as well as the experience with the last downturn has given U.S. shale producers a different perspective this time around, according to Amy Chronis, vice chair, U.S. oil, gas and chemicals leader, Deloitte.

“They are now pivoting toward a new math, maximizing free cash flows from hydrocarbons, investing in the decarbonization of hydrocarbons, new energies and certainly very aware of all the stakeholder pressure,” Chronis said.

Joined by Kate Hardin, executive director for the Deloitte Research Center for Energy & Industrials, Chronis recently spoke with Hart Energy’s Brian Walzel about Deloitte’s 2022 outlook for the oil and gas industry including the five key trends that the firm believes will likely influence the industry over the next 12 months.