Institutt for samfunns­økonomi

Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 187 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jedc.2026.105331

Journal of applied econometrics Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jae.70056

Applied Mathematics and Optimization 93(3) Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00245-026-10435-x

Applied Mathematical Finance Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1350486X.2026.2659017

Quantitative Economics 17(2) s. 394-430 Doi: https://doi.org/10.3982/qe2544

We show that U.S. shale oil producers exhibit a high degree of short‐run price responsiveness, primarily through the timing of well completions and refracturing. Using a novel monthly well‐level panel covering over 120,000 shale wells across ten states from 2005 to 2019, we document significant supply adjustments to price signals. The response varies significantly across states and firm types, highlighting the importance of accounting for micro‐level heterogeneity in production behavior. Mechanisms include accelerating completion of drilled but uncompleted wells and refracturing older wells when forward‐looking price signals are favorable. These findings challenge the common assumption of short‐run supply inelasticity and call for oil market models that incorporate operational flexibility and forward‐looking behavior of shale oil producers.