U.S. shale producers have boosted their hedges to lock in higher oil prices for their production this year and next as oil prices shot up following the heightened tension in the Middle East at the end of last week, data compiled by Bloomberg shows . Oil prices surged on Friday, following the assassination of Iran’s most powerful and visible military leader, Qassem Soleimani, by U.S. forces in Iraq. The attack was carried out following a direct order from U.S. President Donald Trump and was aimed at ‘deterring future attacks’ on U.S. diplomats and service members throughout the region. Some U.S. shale producers took advantage of the price rally and placed additional hedges such as options strategies on Friday, to lock in high selling prices for 2020 and 2021, people with knowledge of the trades told Bloomberg. The strategy to purchase financial options allows producers to ensure a minimum price […]