In a world where geopolitics and energy security are increasingly intertwined, China's national oil companies have emerged as pivotal actors in securing the nation’s energy future while shaping global energy dynamics. Through bold investments, innovative technologies, and a relentless drive to both secure and diversify their energy sources, China’s ‘Big Three’ NOCs — China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)…

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Thursday revised its global oil demand growth projections downward, citing the impact of escalating trade tensions and increased tariffs, as markets resumed their downward trajectory that saw a brief pause on Wednesday following Washington’s announcement of a postponement for everyone except China. The EIA now anticipates a growth of 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the current year, a decrease from the previously forecasted 1.2 million bpd. For 2026, the projection is adjusted to 1.1 million…

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Thursday revised its global oil demand growth projections downward, citing the impact of escalating trade tensions and increased tariffs, as markets resumed their downward trajectory that saw a brief pause on Wednesday following Washington’s announcement of a postponement for everyone except China. The EIA now anticipates a growth of 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the current year, a decrease from the previously forecasted 1.2 million bpd. For 2026, the projection is adjusted to 1.1 million…

??The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Thursday revised its global oil demand growth projections downward, citing the impact of escalating trade tensions and increased tariffs, as markets resumed their downward trajectory that saw a brief pause on Wednesday following Washington’s announcement of a postponement for everyone except China. The EIA now anticipates a growth of 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the current year, a decrease from the previously forecasted 1.2 million bpd. For 2026, the projection is adjusted to 1.1…

Harnessing the power of our oceans could provide all the energy that the world needs three times over, with zero carbon emissions. Ocean waves produce an estimated 50 trillion to 80 trillion watts of power on a global scale. Even if we are able to harness just a fraction of that clean baseload power, it would upend global energy systems as we know them.  The issue is finding an efficient and cost-effective way to harness that energy and bring it to a commercially viable scale. “Many devices have been designed to capture and convert waves’…

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have taken a significant step to line up financing for an ambitious plan to export renewable-energy-produced electricity to Europe, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Asian Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The MOU establishes a “robust institutional and legal framework to facilitate cross-border electricity trade,” according to a statement issued by the ADB.  ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov described the agreement as a “defining…

Google announced on Thursday an agreement with PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in North America, to deploy a new set of AI tools and models to manage and optimize interconnecting power generation to the PJM electric grid. Google, Alphabet-incubated moonshot Tapestry, and PJM are collaborating for the intelligent management of connection queues to the PJM electrical grid, which spans the District of Columbia and 13 states across much of the industrial Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. This is Google’s biggest step yet to use AI for…

Our regulatory regime in the US is based on the Supreme Court decisions in the Hope and Bluefield cases. In both cases the courts clearly limit public utility commission ratemaking discretion while establishing four key principles of ratemaking: 1) value the assets fairly (including adjustments for inflation), 2) provide a reasonable return to both creditors and equity holders, 3) admit that the unique expertise of the commissions should be owed some deference, 4) and that rates should reflect a balance between public and private interests. These…

Even before Chinese electric cars became a mainstay of the bustling streets of Tajikistan's capital, Tolib Raufov knew they would offer an upside to taxi drivers like him. He bought his first Chinese electric vehicle (EV) three years ago for the equivalent of $30,000, he says, and resold it last year. With that money, he was able to buy a model from BYD –- China's leading EV maker that recently overtook Tesla in total sales –- for only $21,000. Raufov says the affordable price, strong local resale value, and savings from no longer needing…

Mubadala Investment Co just planted its flag in the U.S. natural gas scene, marking its first real foray into the Lower 48’s upstream and LNG ambitions. The Abu Dhabi wealth fund’s energy arm has snapped up a 24% stake in SoTex HoldCo LLC—operator of a shale gas field and backer of an LNG terminal in Louisiana. Translation: Mubadala’s not just dipping a toe; it’s cannonballing into America’s gas game. The move comes hot on the heels of the UAE’s $1.4 trillion promise to the U.S.—a decade-long investment…

Mubadala Investment Co just planted its flag in the U.S. natural gas scene, marking its first real foray into the Lower 48’s upstream and LNG ambitions. The Abu Dhabi wealth fund’s energy arm has snapped up a 24% stake in SoTex HoldCo LLC—operator of a shale gas field and backer of an LNG terminal in Louisiana. Translation: Mubadala’s not just dipping a toe; it’s cannonballing into America’s gas game. The move comes hot on the heels of the UAE’s $1.4 trillion promise to the U.S.—a decade-long investment…

Mubadala Investment Co just planted its flag in the U.S. natural gas scene, marking its first real foray into the Lower 48’s upstream and LNG ambitions. The Abu Dhabi wealth fund’s energy arm has snapped up a 24% stake in SoTex HoldCo LLC—operator of a shale gas field and backer of an LNG terminal in Louisiana. Translation: Mubadala’s not just dipping a toe; it’s cannonballing into America’s gas game. The move comes hot on the heels of the UAE’s $1.4 trillion promise to the U.S.—a decade-long investment…

In an unexpected twist amid a global trade war and ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs that have rocked markets around the world, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) actually fell in March, though data is not likely to catch up to rapidly changing White House policies until April’s data release, and the sacrifice is U.S. oil prices, now losing nearly 4.5%.  Inflation risks remain dangerously high amid the unfolding tariff war despite the surprise CPI data, and America’s shale patch is reeling with West Texas Intermediate (WTI)…

In an unexpected twist amid a global trade war and ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs that have rocked markets around the world, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) actually fell in March, though data is not likely to catch up to rapidly changing White House policies until April’s data release, and the sacrifice is U.S. oil prices, now losing nearly 4.5%.  Inflation risks remain dangerously high amid the unfolding tariff war despite the surprise CPI data, and America’s shale patch is reeling with West Texas Intermediate (WTI)…

In an unexpected twist amid a global trade war and ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs that have rocked markets around the world, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) actually fell in March, though data is not likely to catch up to rapidly changing White House policies until April’s data release, and the sacrifice is U.S. oil prices, now losing nearly 4.5%.  Inflation risks remain dangerously high amid the unfolding tariff war despite the surprise CPI data, and America’s shale patch is reeling with West Texas Intermediate (WTI)…

Oil prices plummeted on April 10, 2025, with WTI and Brent crude experiencing significant drops due to heightened trade tensions between the US and China, including tariff hikes. Supply factors, such as the Keystone pipeline outage and surging US crude inventories, contributed to the downward pressure on oil prices, further destabilizing the market. Analysts warn of continued volatility and potential for prices to fall towards $50 per barrel amid weakening global demand and increasing trade barriers, creating uncertainty in the oil market. 1m ago…

European benchmark natural gas prices jumped by 8% on Thursday morning after the 90-day pause in U.S. tariffs on all but China eased concerns that recessions would hit industrial and natural gas demand in Europe. Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europe’s gas trading, opened Thursday’s trade in Amsterdam with an 8% surge. Some of the gains were pared by noon, but prices were still rising by 4%, as markets around the world staged major relief rallies after U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back – for now –…

Kazakhstan, which has been pumping oil above its OPEC+ quota, is in negotiations with the companies operating in the country on potentially trimming output to fall in line with the OPEC+ agreements, Kazakhstan’s energy ministry told Russian news agency Interfax on Thursday. “Kazakhstan was unable to achieve its goal in March and exceeded its commitments under the OPEC+ agreement,” the energy ministry told Interfax when contacted to respond to how its obligations under the OPEC+ deal are progressing. “In April, we plan to…

Kazakhstan, which has been pumping oil above its OPEC+ quota, is in negotiations with the companies operating in the country on potentially trimming output to fall in line with the OPEC+ agreements, Kazakhstan’s energy ministry told Russian news agency Interfax on Thursday. “Kazakhstan was unable to achieve its goal in March and exceeded its commitments under the OPEC+ agreement,” the energy ministry told Interfax when contacted to respond to how its obligations under the OPEC+ deal are progressing. “In April, we plan to…

The U.S. shale industry is being hit by the crash in oil prices, which have slumped since President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement last week. Despite the strong relief rally on Wednesday, following President Trump’s 90-day pause of tariff hikes on most countries except China, the U.S. benchmark oil price is now lower than the breakeven for the shale industry to profitably drill a new well. WTI Crude prices were down nearly 1% at $61.76 per barrel in Asian trading on Thursday. That level is already below the average $65 per…