Pressure Building: Why Clearwater’s Best Days May Still Be Ahead

Research evidence excerpt

Pressure Building: Why Clearwater’s Best Days May Still Be Ahead

June 4, 2026 | 05:51 ET~

Oil & Gas

Pressure Building: Why Clearwater’s Best Days May Oil & Gas

Still Be Ahead Jeremy McCrea, CFA Analyst

jeremy.mccrea@bmo.com (403) 355-1444

Nicholas Savoy Senior AssociateBottom Line:

nicholas.savoy@bmo.com (403) 476-2384

The Clearwater has been one of the most successful plays in recent memory, but the

Legal Entity: BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.

waterflood opportunity represents the next chapter – and potentially a much larger one.

Recent progress suggests another expansion phase may be forthcoming, with rising

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

injection rates and improving well-level response. 4,000

But there's a timing mismatch the market may be underappreciating – and what could 3,500

be much higher oil production than what investor outlooks or company guidance 3,000

suggest. 2,500 4030

The benefits of waterflooding are inherently delayed – often taking 12–36 months to 2,000 20

fully translate into an oil-rate response. But as more wells progress through this re- 10 1,500 0

pressurization curve in the upcoming months, the sector is positioned to see a likely Dec Jun Dec Jun

LHS: Price / RHS: Volume (mm) Source: FactSet

more visible increase in production, in addition to lower declines, and ultimately

improved profitability.

Key Points

From Proof to Scale. The Clearwater waterflood story has clearly transitioned beyond

proof-of-concept and into a scaling phase. Injection activity continues to rise across

the basin, reflecting stronger operator confidence and a shift toward long-cycle

reservoir management rather than primary depletion. Early results are consistent –

pressure response is improving, declines are moderating, and operators are increasingly