Silhouette of two oil pumps or pumpjacks in a field in sunset.gettyBig shale oil and gas producers SM Energy and Civitas Resources announced on Monday that they will merge in a deal valued at $12.8 billion. The result of the merger is a new shale giant that will continue operations under the SM Energy name. “This strategic combination creates a leading oil and gas company with enhanced scale, numerous value-adding synergies, and significant free cash flow, driving superior value to stockholders,” SM Energy ...