M&A activity in the Energy sector for North American based target companies in Q1 2014 included 161 closed deals according to data provided by S&P Capital IQ. Despite the flurry of activity, M&A in the energy sector has declined year-on-year since 2012 according to data published by industry tracker MergerMarket. The total deal value of $15 billion in Q1 2014, was the lowest valued quarter since Q3 2009 ($13.3 billion) and was a 57% decrease from Q1 2013 ($36.3billion). According to a report from international consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, after a slow year in the energy sector for M&A in 2013, deal activity should surge in 2014 driven by improved technology, greater financing capabilities and political sentiment moving toward a greener world. According to a report from British Petroleum, primary energy demand is expected to increase by 41% between 2012 and 2035, which should spark continued M&A as companies vie for market share.
