ANALYSIS-US oilfield firms slash prices as mega-mergers shrink customer base Mega-mergers lead to reduced work for oilfield services companies Smaller firms with older tech forced to lower prices to stay competitive Mergers rise as service companies struggle to maintain customer base By Georgina McCartney HOUSTON, July 24 - A wave of mega-mergers among oil producers is forcing the U.S.

UPDATE 3-U.S. FTC probes Hess, Occidental execs over OPEC communication, Bloomberg reports Adds Hess response in paragraph 6 July 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is probing executives from major oil firms, including Hess Corp HES.N , Occidental OXY.N and Diamondback Energy FANG.O over their communications with OPEC officials, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil get second US FTC request over $22.5 bln deal July 12 (Reuters) - Top U.S. independent oil producer ConocoPhillips COP.N said on Friday it received a second request from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for information on its proposed acquisition of rival Marathon Oil MRO.N . ConocoPhillips said both companies received the requests on July 11 and are working with the FTC to review the merger.

Exxon signals a hit from refining margins in Q2 By Sabrina Valle HOUSTON, July 8 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp XOM.N on Monday signaled that lower refining margins across the industry will reduce its profits from fuels in the second quarter. A snapshot of operating factors affecting the quarter suggests earnings per share between $1.50 and $2.40, which is 17% below market consensus.

UPDATE 2-Exxon Mobil signals second-quarter earnings hit from refining margins, natural gas prices Adds details and background in paragraph 4-11 By Tanay Dhumal July 8 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil XOM.N said on Monday lower natural gas prices and refining margins are expected to hit the oil major's second-quarter earnings. The oil major would be reporting its first earnings after closing the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources for $60 billion, with the combined operations making it the largest o