US Energy Department blames its staff for an errant Navy escort Post
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Energy allegedly posted a message on Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s official X page on Tuesday, which incorrectly stated that the U.S. Navy escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The post was deleted quickly, but it had raised expectations in the global oil industry that oil and gas would be able to flow again through this vital 'waterway', which is effectively closed after the Israeli and U.S. strike on Iran began Feb. 28.
EIA: US power plants could avoid retirement by 2026
The Department of Energy's Research arm stated on Monday that U.S. Power Plants scheduled to retire in?2026 may stay online for longer. This builds on a trend which began last year as electricity prices and usage reached record highs in certain parts of the nation. According to the Energy Information Administration, 11 gigawatts worth of electricity-generating capacity was expected to close in the U.S. this year. The EIA's research shows that nearly 60% of this power is coal-fired and the rest is gas-fired.
First Venezuela Oil Cargoes Chartered Since US Supply Deal
Trading houses and buyers of Venezuelan oil have chartered the first very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to export from the South American country since a Caracas-Washington supply deal began, which is set to speed up shipments starting in March while boosting deliveries to India, according to four sources and data.Trading firms Vitol and Trafigura have been exporting Venezuelan crude and fuel since January as part of a $2 billion deal between the U.S. and Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S.
US Energy Secretary to Arrive in Venezuela With Herculean Task of Oil Recovery
This week, the U.S. Department of Energy Chris Wright will visit Venezuela. It is the highest-level U.S. The OPEC country has not had a visit to discuss energy policy in almost three decades. Washington is conducting its first assessment on the ground of the oil industry that it plans to rebuild. Wright will arrive in Caracas Wednesday, one day after the U.S. granted a general license to explore and produce oil and gas in Venezuela.
US natgas prices soar by 140% in the Arctic storm, increasing consumer costs
U.S. Natural Gas?Futures have jumped 140% in the last seven trading days. Cash gas and power prices also hit record highs this week, as an Arctic blast sent heating demands soaring, and frozen?oil?and?gas wells cut gas production to a 2-year low. Power prices are expected to rise sharply, putting pressure on consumers already paying higher bills due to the demand for power, particularly from data centers. Retail electricity prices are on the rise, rising faster than inflation since 2022. The U.S.
Sources say that Chevron Vitol Trafigura are all competing to control Venezuelan oil imports.
Sources familiar with the situation say that Chevron, Vitol, Trafigura and other companies are competing to get deals from the U.S. Government to export crude oil from Venezuela. Venezuelan officials are trying to control oil sales in the United States. This competition is a reflection of the desire for many oil companies to gain access to Venezuela's crude oil stocks and production. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has demanded Venezuela grant the United States access to the oil sector. This comes just days after the U.S.
Vitol, Trafigura and the White House invited to Venezuelan oil discussions on Friday
Four sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has invited the heads of commodity trading companies Vitol and Trafigura to meet at the White House this Friday to discuss the marketing Venezuelan crude oil. European trading houses dominate global oil trading, and could assist the U.S. in selling oil from Venezuela despite Washington's desire for U.S. oil majors to take the lead. White House announced that it would host U.S. Oil Majors on Friday.
Centrus receives $900 Million DOE Task Order as US pushes for domestic uranium enrichment
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $900 million task order to Centrus Energy, a nuclear fuel supplier based in the United States, to increase uranium enrichment capacity at the Piketon site, Ohio. This is part of Washington's efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian supplies. The award is part of a $2.7 billion worth of enrichment-related tasks orders?the Energy Department announced to three companies on Monday -- American Centrifuge?Operating (a Centrus Energy division), General Matter, and Orano Federal Services.
Equinor has announced that it will comply with the stop-work order issued by the US Department of Energy for offshore wind projects
OSLO, December 22 - Norwegian Energy Group Equinor announced?on Sunday that it was complying?with a?stopwork order issued by the U.S. regarding its Empire Wind 1 off shore wind project and engaging authorities. On Monday, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it had suspended leases for five large-scale offshore projects due to national security concerns. Equinor stated that Empire 'Wind' is adhering to the notice…
The US government is under pressure from the Fusion Energy Industry to provide billions of dollars in support
On Monday, fusion energy industry leaders met U.S. Department of Energy representatives to encourage them to provide billions of dollars to projects that seek to?generate electrical power by the same process as the sun. In November, the?department?created an Office of Fusion as part of a reorganization which focused on fossil and nuclear energy. Renewable energy offices were eliminated. The Trump administration has reversed…
Virginia data centers to replace coal where coal once reigned
Entrepreneurs are now looking at the rural area with the ambitious vision to rebuild its economic by converting the old mines into data centers and solar power systems that could help feed the growing power demand of the artificial-intelligence boom. A non-profit group called Energy DELTA Lab (Discovery, Education, Learning & Technology Accelerator), which is aiming to develop energy resources on approximately 65,000 acres in southwest Virginia, is currently working on such a project.
Trump Energy Department reorganizes to focus on fossil and nuclear priorities
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Thursday a reorganization of its agency, which prioritizes oil and nucleic resources over offices dedicated to renewables or efficiency. DOE released a new organization chart along with a short statement stating that the changes aligned to President Donald Trump’s agenda of energy dominance. The chart includes several new divisions including the Hydrocarbons Office, Geothermal Office and Office of Fusion.
Plug Power will unlock $275 Million in data center power market
Plug Power said it expects to generate over $275 million through monetizing assets and releasing restricted funds, while reducing maintenance costs. The hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer is shifting its focus to high-return opportunities, and the rapidly growing data center market. The shares of the company rose over 10% during premarket trading. The company signed an non-binding letter to intent to monetize their electricity rights in New York, as well as another U.S. city.
Poland is in talks with the US to import more LNG to supply Ukraine and Slovakia
Two sources familiar with negotiations say that Poland is working to secure a deal for the import of liquefied gas from the U.S. in order to supply Ukraine and Slovakia. This agreement would strengthen the European Union's relationship with American energy. The Polish Energy Ministry confirmed the talks late Wednesday night. One source said that officials expect to announce a declaration jointly boosting imports following a meeting between the parties during a transatlantic conference on energy in Athens this week.
Poland Working on Deal to Import US LNG to Support Ukraine, Slovakia
Poland is working on a deal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. to supply Ukraine and Slovakia, an agreement that would further tighten the European Union’s ties to American energy, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations.Officials expect to announce a joint declaration to boost imports after a meeting of the parties at a transatlantic energy conference in Athens later this week, one of the sources said."After that…
Poland is in talks with the US to import more LNG to supply Ukraine and Slovakia
According to sources familiar with negotiations, Poland is negotiating a deal for the import of liquefied gas (LNG), from the United States, to supply Ukraine and Slovakia. This agreement would strengthen the European Union's relationship with American energy. One source said that officials expect to announce a declaration jointly boosting imports following a meeting between the parties during a transatlantic conference on energy in Athens this week.
Poland is in talks with the U.S. about importing more LNG to Ukraine and Slovakia
According to sources familiar with negotiations, Poland is negotiating a deal for the import of liquefied gas (LNG) to Ukraine and Slovakia. This pact would strengthen the European Union's energy ties with America. One source said that officials expect to announce a declaration jointly boosting imports following a meeting between the parties during a transatlantic conference on energy in Athens this week. One of the sources said that "after that, discussions will follow about terms for supplies to Slovakia".
Utility AEP increases capital spending plan to meet demand for data center power
American Electric Power increased its five-year investment plan from $54 billion to $72 billion Wednesday to meet the unprecedented demand for power by customers such as data centers and industries. In premarket trading, shares of the company increased by 3.2%. U.S. utilities have increased their capital budgets to meet the growing demand from technology companies who are building data centers for complex AI-related tasks.
The US and India are the new drivers of copper demand as China's juggernaut slows.
Over the next decade, copper consumption in India and the United States will overtake China as the demand for the metal in China slows. Beijing's expansion of industrial and infrastructure has fueled a rally which has seen copper prices soar to over $10,000 per metric ton, from $1500 25 years earlier. Analysts expect that other factors, such as demand and prices, will increasingly influence copper's price. Producers, consumers, traders, and investors will need to adapt to the market's many drivers.
The rising tungsten price is a major concern for oil drillers.
U.S. shale drilling companies are paying higher prices for tungsten. This rare metal is used in industrial tools such as drillbits. Chinese export controls have slowed down the supply of tungsten. This threatens President Donald Trump's plans to increase America's fossil-fuel production. Tungsten is used in up to 75% of drill bits deployed in oilfields. The price of the metal has risen to more than $600 per unit metric ton from $330-$340 when Trump first imposed tariffs on Chinese products.