Escalating tensions in the Middle East and U.S. relations with China pose the greatest concerns for Big Oil, according to some of the industry’s top executives.

The Alpharetta, Ga.-based company is working with advisers as it seeks to gauge interest from potential buyers, according to sources who asked not to be named.

Dallas-based Matador now plans to produce an average of 98,500 to 101,500 barrels of oil per day in 2024, a 5% increase from the company’s previous projection.

The world’s top commodity merchants are grappling with a tougher environment for trading oil as seismic market events of the past few years start to lose their impact.

About 100 miles east of UFO-capital Roswell, a dusty corner of New Mexico with more cattle than people is quietly buttressing the U.S.’s world #oil dominance. 

Some of the top U.S. oil refiners are throttling back operations at their facilities this quarter, adding to concerns that a global glut of crude is forming.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. raised its production and capital spending plans for this year after closing its $10.8 billion acquisition of CrownRock LP earlier this month.

Brent crude slumped below $80 a barrel for the first time since June 10, driven by algorithmic trading and signs of poor demand from China, the world’s top oil importer.

Permian Resources Corp. will buy some of Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s West Texas assets for $817.5 million, it said in a statement.

Global oil demand growth slowed to its weakest in more than a year last quarter as the post-pandemic rebound in China fades, the International Energy Agency said.