Looking back on mixed or offshore upstream E&P stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Granite Ridge Resources (NYSE: GRNT) and its peers.

This category includes smaller or niche E&P companies operating in specialized basins, geographies, or resource types outside major classifications. These firms may target unconventional resources, frontier regions, or specific commodity niches. Tailwinds include potential for outsized returns from successful exploration, acquisition opportunities during industry downturns, and specialized expertise commanding premium valuations. Headwinds include higher operational and geological risks, limited scale reducing negotiating power and cost efficiencies, and constrained capital market access during challenging commodity environments. Regulatory risks and ESG concerns may disproportionately affect smaller operators with fewer resources for compliance.

The 21 mixed or offshore upstream E&P stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 5%.

While some mixed or offshore upstream E&P stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.7% since the latest earnings results.

Granite Ridge Resources (NYSE: GRNT)

Operating without drilling rigs or field crews of its own, Granite Ridge Resources (NYSE: GRNT) owns interests in oil and natural gas wells across six major US shale basins.

Granite Ridge Resources reported revenues of $128.3 million, up 4.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

The stock is down 6.2% since reporting and currently trades at $5.26.

Read our full report on Granite Ridge Resources here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Seadrill (NYSE: SDRL)

Operating in water depths reaching 12,000 feet below the surface, Seadrill (NYSE: SDRL) owns and operates drillships and semi-submersible rigs that drill oil and gas wells in deepwater offshore locations.

Seadrill reported revenues of $358 million, up 6.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.2%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $50.85.

Is now the time to buy Seadrill? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Vitesse Energy (NYSE: VTS)

Taking a hands-off approach to energy production, Vitesse Energy (NYSE: VTS) owns non-operated stakes in oil and natural gas wells primarily in North Dakota and Montana's Williston Basin.

Vitesse Energy reported revenues of $67.41 million, up 1.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 6.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 5.6% since the results and currently trades at $18.02.

Read our full analysis of Vitesse Energy’s results here.

APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA)

Operating in three continents with a history stretching back to 1954, APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA) explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the U.S., Egypt, and the U.K. North Sea.

APA Corporation reported revenues of $2.14 billion, flat year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 4.1% since reporting and currently trades at $36.75.

Read our full, actionable report on APA Corporation here, it’s free.

Magnolia Oil & Gas (NYSE: MGY)

Operating over 600,000 net acres primarily in two distinct South Texas regions, Magnolia Oil & Gas (NYSE: MGY) drills and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids from South Texas formations.

Magnolia Oil & Gas reported revenues of $358.5 million, up 2.3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $28.70.

Read our full, actionable report on Magnolia Oil & Gas here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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