The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition a standoff between buyers and sellers of oil-patch assets could be nearing its end. The Globe's Jeffrey Jones writes collapsing crude prices halted last year's $50-billion deal bonanza. Many would-be buyers are still on the sidelines waiting for asset prices to come down further before pulling the trigger on acquisitions. "To quote one client, 'I need to see more blood in the streets before I weigh in,'" said Shane Fildes at BMO Nesbitt Burns. Oil producers and drillers have bled staff and cut deeply into capital spending to cope with low oil prices. If prices hover near today's $50 (U.S.) levels, the number of properties on offer from large and small producers will increase as they seek proceeds to bring debt levels back in line with dwindling cash flow. The big question is when there might be a meeting of minds between buyers and sellers on oil-price forecasts and property value. Last year, investors were only too happy to plow money in to help finance deals, making the sector fertile ground for equity issues, including a number of initial public offerings, such as those for PrairieSky Royalty, Journey Energy and Seven Generations Energy.