Share

The oil tycoon that got R29bn richer in a day

Billionaire oil baron Harold Hamm just had a very big day.

Shares of his Continental Resources surged 22% on Monday, the most since 2016, adding $2bn (over R29bn) to his net worth, more than anyone else in the 500-member Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Global oil prices surged the most on record after a weekend aerial attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil complex crippled production, knocking out 5% of the world’s supply. A return to full operating capacity could take weeks or months.

Shares of Continental had tumbled 20% on the year through Friday, a decline that was almost erased by Monday’s advance.

The same is true for Hamm’s fortune, which now stands at $11.6bn (R170bn). He owns 77% of the Oklahoma City-based oil exploration and production firm.

Hamm, 73, said Thursday in an interview with Bloomberg Television that he has no intention of taking Continental private, a month after he mused during a conference call whether remaining a public company was worth it.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.04
+0.9%
Rand - Pound
23.79
+0.7%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.7%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.8%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+1.0%
Platinum
919.10
+0.8%
Palladium
980.50
-2.4%
Gold
2,330.93
+0.7%
Silver
27.33
+0.6%
Brent Crude
88.02
-0.5%
Top 40
68,437
-0.2%
All Share
74,329
-0.3%
Resource 10
62,119
+2.8%
Industrial 25
102,531
-1.4%
Financial 15
15,802
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders