The next US shale hotspot: Western Haynesville, with Matthew Bernstein

Let’s Talk Energy and dig into a hot new source of US natural gas production that could help meet the country’s rising domestic demand and fuel the growing LNG export business - the Western Haynesville. While the Haynesville Shale will be familiar to many in the industry, having been among the top US gas-producing areas for more than a decade, the Western Haynesville is a new place geographically, and covers new ground geologically as well. With a long queue of new LNG export facilities moving ahead in the US, there is a growing buzz that companies exploring the Western Haynesville could be in the right place at exactly the right time to capitalize on this additional demand. But first they will have to push the boundaries of technology to cut costs and prove the performance of these expensive and technically challenging wells can be repeated hundreds or even thousands of times.  How has the Western Haynesville evolved, and which companies are actively exploring in the area? What questions remain about the play, and how can it become a commercial success? What do these developments tell us about the state of US onshore exploration today? Are continued shale production gains expected, and will they help meet domestic and global demand?  Related Analysis:  Unpacking the hype: Can the West Haynesville become the next booming gas play in the Lower 48? (accessible for non-clients)  Whitepaper: Shale strategic outlook for 2025 - Disciplined growth and macro uncertainty  (accessible for non-clients)  Eye-popping West Haynesville wells still need over $4 gas to break even (clients only) Is there a new emerging gas play in Texas? (clients only)  Western Haynesville_Bossier Shale, US Supply Chain Factsheet (clients only)  North America Gas Market Report – November 2025 (clients only)  North American LNG: Contracting jumps but each FID makes the next tougher (clients only)   Related Episodes:  The looming oil supply challenge with Artem Abramov Winners and losers in Trump’s energy agenda, with Mike McCormick Who will make money in the energy industry in 2026? With Rystad Energy Deputy CEO Lars Eirik Nicolaisen  Let’s Talk Energy is a Rystad Energy Production.  Produced by: Laura Rodriguez Skaug & Både Og.  Executive producers: Noah Brenner, Elliot Busby, Evodie Fleury-Greaker & Erik Means.  Follow us on:  LinkedIn  YouTube  Instagram  X