Shale Companies Prepare For Their Best Quarter Ever

After a decade of losses and shareholder frustration, the U.S. shale patch is generating record amounts of cash flows and is earning record profits this year as oil prices soar while firms prioritize returns to investors. The public independent U.S. shale producers already had a blockbuster first quarter, with many generating record cash flows and profits and vowing to increase shareholder returns after years of corporate losses and little payback to investors. Moreover, analysts say the second quarter will be even better for the shale patch.    …