
JPMorgan flags $1 trillion U.S. power‑grid upgrade spend amid aging infrastructure
The bank warns that the U.S. grid, averaging nearly 60 years old, faces a national‑security risk and projects roughly $1 trillion in upgrades between 2026 and 2035, part of a $5.8 trillion global spend. Rising AI‑driven data‑center demand could add 100 GW of peak load by 2030, intensifying the upgrade need.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Oil majors secure $164M Alaska lease package
South Bow Energy is pursuing binding take‑or‑pay agreements from Canadian producers to fund a new pipeline spur that would add 450,000 barrels per day of crude to its Keystone system. The line would feed directly into the existing Keystone network, expanding capacity for exports to the United States. By locking in producer commitments, South Bow aims to secure financing and reduce bottlenecks that have limited Western Canadian oil flow. Completion is targeted for 2028, pending regulatory approvals and financing.
Qatar’s energy minister Khalid al‑Kaabi warned that the ongoing Middle‑East conflict is creating a far larger shortfall in liquefied natural gas (LNG) than market participants anticipate. Damage to export terminals and logistical bottlenecks are curbing Qatar’s ability to meet its...
The International Energy Agency’s chief announced that global oil markets are currently well‑supplied, eliminating any immediate need to tap strategic inventories. While some regions continue to experience supply disruptions, the agency sees no justification for coordinated production cuts at this...

Oil prices surged to a two‑year high after Qatar’s energy minister warned that all Gulf oil and gas exporters could cease production within days amid the escalating Middle‑East conflict. Brent crude rose above $93 a barrel, and the minister suggested...
U.S. LNG demand is set to surge, but the Haynesville Shale’s production is waning, forcing gas producers to look beyond traditional sources. Analysts argue that the upcoming export capacity will be fed by a mix of basins—including the Permian, Marcellus,...
The United States is experiencing a rapid surge in artificial‑intelligence workloads, prompting a projected 30 percent increase in electricity demand by 2030. To satisfy this growth, utilities are turning to renewable natural gas (RNG) as a low‑carbon, dispatchable fuel for data...
A BlackRock‑led consortium will take AES private in a $33.4 billion deal, valuing the power producer at roughly $70 billion. The transaction underscores private‑equity interest in regulated energy assets amid soaring electricity demand. It also highlights the competitive pressure gas and nuclear...
The war in the Middle East has driven global oil benchmarks to multi‑year highs, yet U.S. gasoline prices have remained relatively modest. Ample domestic crude output and record‑high gasoline inventories have insulated the U.S. market from the price shock. Retail...
So what's the purpose of nuclear? CA had enough solar+batteries in 2025 to produce a constant 4 GW every minute of 90% of days in 2025 plus more power during other hours 4 GW=180% of the constant 2.2 GW DC nuc plant,...
The Trump administration is weighing the use of the 1950 Defense Production Act to override a California state court order and restart an offshore oil pipeline serving Sable Offshore. A Justice Department opinion argues the law can preempt state consent...
Despite a broader rollback of renewable-friendly policies, the Trump administration has accelerated efforts to build a domestic critical‑minerals stockpile. The move targets metals essential for both advanced military hardware and clean‑energy technologies, aiming to reduce U.S. reliance on China. By...
Awilco LNG ASA announced a conditional private placement of 77.3 million new shares, raising roughly NOK 251.3 million (US$26 million). The proceeds will finance the launch of its ALNG Trading subsidiary, cover pre‑payments under its sale‑leaseback facilities with China Development Bank, and extend...
Arizona regulators unanimously approved the conversion of coal‑fired units at the Springerville and Coronado power plants to natural gas. Tucson Electric Power’s Springerville conversion is budgeted between $170 million and $200 million and targets gas operation by 2030, while Salt River Project’s...
Andy makes a great point here around potential L/S positioning in the oil and gas space. I think chasing the physical commodities up a tree here is dangerous but I still really like oil and nat gas equities for two...

Solar generators often list a 200‑watt panel rating, but that figure reflects ideal laboratory conditions, not everyday use. In real‑world settings, sunlight intensity, panel angle, temperature and efficiency typically reduce output to 50‑75% of the advertised number. Users must also...
Delivered prices for medium sour Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude hit a record high on Thursday, trading around an $8.30 per barrel premium to July Ice Brent, the highest since Argus began tracking in January 2018. Purchases by South Korean...
On The Climate Brink, @hausfath.bsky.social writes about the trends of spending on clean energy vs. national defense: When will clean energy spending exceed military spending? https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/when-will-clean-energy-spending-exceed
There is not a single active oil or gas well in Minnesota. Every dime we spend on fuel is money leaving our state.

BP will conduct an 11‑day scheduled maintenance on the Central Azeri platform in August 2026, targeting only the gas infrastructure while oil output remains uninterrupted. The outage is notably shorter than the typical 19‑day window, thanks to the deployment of...

Okay. I've been seeing this make the rounds. It is just a large misunderstanding of the second graph, to the extent that it's drawing the wrong conclusions. The price of electricity from solar and wind in the US *has* flatlined...
With Oil prices nearing $100 already , risks of a potential de-escalation keep on rising. I may be wrong , maybe oil prices will remain elevated for months , who knows , I am just saying what has the higher probability...
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that natural‑gas prices per thousand cubic feet vary widely, with Idaho at $6.80 and Hawaii at $51.74 as of December 2025. MoneyGeek’s 2025 winter‑heating study shows average seasonal gas bills ranging from $26 in Hawaii...

Southern States LLC announced a partnership with SkySafe to embed the latter’s cloud‑based drone detection and airspace intelligence platform into Southern States’ Layered Airspace Protection Strategy for utilities. The integrated solution offers real‑time identification, flight‑path history, and operator location, delivering...
BTW, oil rallied an additional 43% over the next 2 months. Trump will do everything he can to open the strait of Hormuz and prevent a similar outcome. As I noted in an earlier post this week, I expect it...

Oil shocks get headlines. Diesel shocks stop the world Trucks, ships, mines, farms, trains, planes & militaries all run on it Persian Gulf crude is ideal for making it Diesel fuel price hikes are the real killers of the economy #diesel #oilmarkets #energy #Hormuz...

South Bow Corp. has launched an open season for its proposed Prairie Connector pipeline, seeking binding commitments for 450,000 barrels per day of crude transport from Alberta’s Hardisty terminal to U.S. markets. The project will leverage existing Canadian permits originally...

Australian startup scaling up printed solar technology #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/UMkegkWcSv https://t.co/pIaYIMCHiw

Hormuz carries about one-fifth of global oil supply But roughly one-third of seaborne oil trade normally pass thru the Strait The real shock is 35% of globally traded oil. Peak oil is today’s reality. #oil #energy #Hormuz #geopolitics #EnergyMarkets https://t.co/ENXgbxfCcf

South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung visited the Philippines on March 3‑4, 2026, marking the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties and signing ten memoranda of understanding across AI, cybersecurity, defense, and energy. The two leaders pledged deeper cooperation on critical minerals, leveraging...

WTI Crude Oil prices spiked 36% this week to $91/barrel. This was the 2nd biggest weekly increase in the last 40 years, trailing only the 2020 Covid rebound after Crude Oil prices crashed to $15/barrel. Roughly 20% of global oil supply passes...
Renewables are a hedge against volatile coal and gas prices. Electric vehicles are a hedge against volatile oil / gasoline prices.

Qcells announced that its Cartersville, Georgia plant has resumed solar‑panel assembly after customs‑clearance delays tied to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The facility will expand to integrate ingot, wafer and cell production, targeting a 3.3 GW annual capacity. By the...
US offers a $20B maritime war-risk reinsurance backstop to coax tankers back into the Gulf No one wants it It doesn’t provide shipowners the incentive they need to sail into a war zone. #Hormuz #oilmarkets #shipping #geopolitics
Hormuz traffic isn’t being stopped by insurance alone, writes @Amena__Bakr Coverage is still available. The real deterrent is fear of attack, and only a full, sustained ceasefire will normalize flows. #Hormuz #shipping #oilmarkets
WTI crude up 35% on the week, one of the best weeks in history. S&P 500 down only 2%? And energy up only 1%? Markets sometimes don't make sense.
Interestingly, solar never got polarized among the US populace. For 20 years, it's polled as the most popular energy source in the US, by wide margins, across the country. It's just that certain members of the GOP political class hated...
US national lab highlights inverter approach as cheaper alternative to DTT #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/Tnle3OYaMQ

Electrifying all road freight between Sydney and Melbourne is a no brainer: The payback is less than 4 years #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/c9lBrAwKGN https://t.co/bLDZIjZQQ5
Trump asks tech titans to sign an energy pledge, but is it just PR? #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/Dwehx3RcZ6
It gets harder to do this when oil starts ripping. Has historically been a “the cycle is close to being over” signal
This may not be WWIII. But it could be the 1930s moment of our era, writes @nfergus He notes, if the Iran war drags on and oil flows break, the shock could rival the 1970s. I'D SAY WE'RE ALREADY THERE WITH...
US airlines no longer hedge fuel costs. That could hurt margins if Iran conflict lingers - https://t.co/LvmzI2bxEL
Oil surges 35% this week for biggest gain in futures trading history dating back to 1983: CNBC $XLE $USO

Since last week, average US gasoline prices are up 27 cents to $3.25 per gallon. WAR = COSTS AMERICANS AN ARM AND A LEG. https://t.co/2wqMMXwNZP
Trump admin announces $20 billion reinsurance program for oil tankers during Iran war: CNBC $XLE $USO

Bracing for an oil shock, China ordered refiners to halt new diesel and gasoline export contracts and cancel existing shipments. From a week ago, their diesel prices are up 13.5%, gasoline up 11%. THE US-ISRAELI WAR ON IRAN = COLLATERAL DAMAGE =...
Grumbling out of China is getting louder as crude pushes higher....... I am leaning now 50/50 that the meeting with XI and Trump even happens now. Hope I am wrong because would like to see it. Time will...

How low can gas go? Down 59% in 2026 vs 2023 so far. 14th straight and 41 of 64 days in 2026 with WWS meeting >100% of demand for part of the day. Demand also down 3% vs '23 Solar up 62%; batteries...

$USOIL - We're witnessing an extreme development today. Crude oil is up 16% currently. The 14 day RSI is above 89. The last time it closed above 89 was in August 1990, during the Gulf war. https://t.co/Fl62P7oRcE

One of my predictions in our Climate Brink year end wrapup was that 2026 might be the first year where global clean energy investment exceeds global military spending. Unfortunately with recent wars we will likely have to wait a few more...