ENB Pub Note: This article is from The Merchants News Substack by Giacomo Prandelli, and I had an outstanding conversation with him while he was in Switzerland. I love talking to people from around the world about energy. We recommend subscribing to his Substack, and I have scheduled an interview with him on the Energy […]
In the intricate dance of global energy markets, China has emerged as a pivotal player, effectively establishing both a floor and a ceiling for crude oil prices through its strategic imports and stockpiling activities. As the world’s largest oil importer, China’s decisions ripple across international markets, absorbing surpluses when prices dip and scaling back when […]
In a world increasingly dependent on rare earth elements and critical minerals for everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines and defense technologies, Europe finds itself in a precarious position. Despite boasting significant deposits across the continent, including in Turkey, Sweden, and Norway, the region remains overwhelmingly reliant on China for supply. This vulnerability, highlighted […]
In a significant development amid escalating U.S. sanctions on Russian energy firms, Lukoil PJSC’s roster of potential buyers for its international assets has grown to include major players like Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), alongside U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group. This expansion comes as Lukoil races to […]
In a landmark diplomatic and economic event, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House on November 18, 2025, marking a significant escalation in bilateral ties. During the high-profile meeting, MBS announced that Saudi Arabia would ramp up its investment commitments in the United States from an […]
The Golden Pass LNG plant, a flagship project in the U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, is gearing up for its inaugural shipment in February 2026. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, positioning the facility as a key player in meeting global energy demands. As commissioning […]
As global oil prices hover below $70 per barrel and competition intensifies, major oil companies are achieving a remarkable feat: record or near-record production levels while significantly reducing headcounts. This shift marks what industry insiders call the “survival efficiency” phase for Big Oil – a relentless focus on squeezing more barrels out of existing assets […]
The Atlantic LNG shipping market has roared back to life, with spot charter rates for modern two-stroke vessels jumping to $98,250 per day as of November 17, 2025 – the highest level since January 2024, according to Spark Commodities assessments cited by Bloomberg. This marks a dramatic 19% single-day increase and a stunning reversal from […]
In a move that’s sparking debate across the Lone Star State, Oncor—the largest energy delivery company in Texas—is aggressively advocating for a massive $33 billion transmission infrastructure overhaul known as the Texas 765-kV Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP). This ambitious project, which includes building high-voltage 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines across the state, promises to enhance […]
In a significant development for Australia’s energy sector, ConocoPhillips has announced a natural gas discovery in the Otway Basin, located offshore Victoria in southeastern Australia. This marks the company’s first exploration success in the region and the basin’s first find since 2021. The discovery comes amid growing concerns over potential gas shortages on Australia’s east […]
