Today's Energy Pulse
Oil prices tumble over 5% after Rubio backs Iran talks
Crude prices dropped more than 5% following Senator Marco Rubio's comment that the United States will give Iran every chance to succeed in negotiations. The slide pushed WTI below $89 a barrel as markets priced in renewed hopes for a diplomatic deal.
Also developing:
Australia: Quantum Battery Signals Ultra-Fast Energy Storage
Australia’s CSIRO, together with RMIT and the University of Melbourne, unveiled the world’s first quantum‑battery prototype that successfully demonstrated a complete charge‑store‑discharge cycle. The device uses a laser‑excited organic microcavity to store energy in quantum states, achieving theoretically faster charging through collective quantum effects. While the prototype stores only nanosecond‑scale energy, it validates long‑standing theoretical models and marks a pivotal step toward ultra‑fast, wireless power solutions. The breakthrough positions quantum batteries as a potential disruptor for high‑speed energy applications such as quantum computers, autonomous drones and electric vehicles.
Nicknames Define Life on Offshore Oil Rigs
On offshore oil rigs, almost everybody had a nickname. There was Tatter, because he puked up a plate of potatoes. Tiger, because he once caught an Exxon tank on fire. Stump, short, flat-top, and pushing 300 pounds. Big Country. Little Country....
Miliband’s Solar Panels – Are Buyers Prepared to Pay More?
A heating‑company survey of 1,000 UK adults finds that 48% of buyers would pay an average 7.61% premium for homes equipped with solar panels, with millennials willing to add 10.46%. The willingness varies by region, peaking at 11.23% in Yorkshire...
Russian Oil Tanker Arrives Off Cuba Despite U.S. Ordered Embargo
After three weeks at sea, the Russian‑flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, loaded with about 730,000 barrels of crude (roughly $62 million), arrived off Cuba on March 31. Despite a Trump‑era embargo, the U.S. administration quietly permitted the ship to dock, ending Cuba’s oil...
Oil and Fertilizer Prices May Soon Have Ripple Effects on These 3 Commodities Stocks
The Strait of Hormuz blockade is pushing oil and natural‑gas prices higher, which in turn is inflating fertilizer costs. The article spotlights three commodity‑linked stocks that could benefit: CF Industries, whose North‑American gas access fuels strong earnings of $1.46 billion in...
Oil Trade Has Begun for the Week - Prices Higher
Oil markets opened the week on a bullish note, with Brent crude climbing about $2.70 to roughly $115.30 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rising $2.35 to near $102 per barrel. The gains came as U.S. equity index futures...
U.S. Allows Russian Oil Shipment to Cuba Amid Global Energy Disruptions
The United States has authorized a Russian‑flagged tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver between 650,000 and 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba, temporarily easing a long‑standing de facto oil blockade. The move coincides with a broader, short‑term relaxation of Russia‑related...
Switch to Fertilizer‑free Perennial Grasses for Higher Biomass
We could just... stop. This is such a waste of resources, land, and nitrogen. Even if we still wanted to use this land for fuel, we should be planting perennial grasses that require no fertilizer or irrigation and can yield...
Australian Doomsday April 20
Macquarie Bank warns that if the Iran‑Israel conflict keeps the Strait of Hormuz closed through June, crude could climb to a record $200 a barrel. The bank’s March 27 analysis stresses that prolonged closure would force prices high enough to erode...
Short‑term CH4 Impact Exceeds CO2: Rethink GWPs
Informative post on The Climate Brink by Zeke @hausfath.bsky.social on the differences between CO2 and CH4 in warming the climate and the scourge of GWPs and CO2e in evaluating climate policy. https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/using-a-20-year-period-for-comparing
Oil Prices Surge as Iran‑Israel Conflict Escalates, Sending Euro Stocks Tumbling
Oil prices jumped sharply after the Iran‑Israel conflict entered its fourth week, prompting a sell‑off in European equities. Traders cite higher energy costs and heightened geopolitical risk as the main drivers of the market slide.
Oil Could Spike to $150, Ignoring Market Risks
Larry Fink: oil could hit $150/bbl — even AFTER a ceasefire — if Iran remains a threat. Brent is already at $112. The tail risk isn't priced. Equities are still trading like this ends cleanly. What does $150 oil do to inflation? To...
Cuba Is Not Alone, Deputy FM Says as US Threats Grow
Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal Ferreiro warned that Cuba will resist escalating U.S. pressure, including intensified sanctions that have crippled the island’s fuel supply and triggered widespread blackouts. The U.S. has threatened further action, with President Donald Trump suggesting Cuba...
Monday Briefing: National Cabinet’s Emergency Fuel Crisis Meeting
Australia faces a deepening petrol crisis as more than 500 service stations have run out of at least one fuel type, driving prices sharply higher. The shortage stems from the war sparked by the US and Israel in Iran and...
Iran War Undermines Canada's 500% LNG Expansion Goal
Iran War Destroys Canada's LNG Assumptions Mark Carney, David Eby's goal of growing LNG production by 500% is likely dead in the water. #cdnpoli #bcpoli #cdnpoli https://markhamhislop.substack.com/p/iran-war-destroys-canadas-lng-assumptions
UK Households Urged to Do This 2-Minute Boiler Check Now or Miss Out on £325 Off Gas Bills This Summer
UK energy experts say a two‑minute boiler tweak can cut gas bills by roughly £325 (about $406) a year. By lowering the boiler’s flow temperature to around 60 °C and enabling summer mode, households keep modern condensing boilers in their most...
Closing Hormuz: Strategic Disruption, Not Just Conflict
They were always going to close the Strait of Hormuz. This was never a side development. It was central to the strategy. Because the objective isn’t just confrontation — it’s disruption: energy flows, shipping routes, and the systems that rely on them. That changes the...
Hormuz Shutdown Creates Unprecedented Oil Supply Shock
Lotta people love to play with Hormuz offset balance math—and boy, oh boy, the numbers I've seen bouncing around... But let's keep it dead simple and focus on pure output: There's now ~10 MMbpd of crude oil production shut-ins confirmed across the...
PetroChina Successfully Concludes "the 14th Five-Year Plan", 2025 Operating Results Remain at Historical High Levels
PetroChina reported 2025 revenue of ¥2.86 trillion (≈$401 bn) and profit attributable of ¥157.3 billion (≈$22 bn), despite a 14.6% drop in Brent prices. Free cash flow rose 15.2% to ¥120.2 billion (≈$16.8 bn) and the debt‑to‑asset ratio improved to 36.4%. The company paid a record...
Asian Demand Drives Brent Above $115 per Barrel
JUST IN: Asian buyers are bidding up Brent Crude Oil, paying steep premiums as supply tightens Pushing global oil prices upwards of $115/ barrel https://t.co/kh3DZ9EpdH
Gas Shortages Cut Fertilizer Output, Threaten Food Security
“ALL fertilizer plants shut” in Bangladesh isn’t true. Most capacity is offline due to gas shortages—but not all. Still serious. Still a warning. Energy shortages don’t stay in energy. They hit food next. #EnergyCrisis #FoodSecurity
Russia Was Expecting a Windfall From Soaring Oil Prices, but Relentless Ukrainian Drone Attacks Are Devastating Nearly Half Its Export...
Russia banked on a windfall after oil prices spiked when the Strait of Hormuz closed and the United States briefly eased sanctions on its crude. The surge lifted Urals prices near Brent, temporarily rescuing a revenue stream that had collapsed...
Oil Prices Surge to Target, Maintaining Brent Long Position
Oil going straight up to levels we were looking for - staying Long in Brent $BNO terms https://t.co/MJlPz9oFW6
German Startup Deploys 22 AI Workers for PV O&M
German startup offers team of 22 specialized AI workers for PV plant O&M operations #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/ykrZDYlC4g https://t.co/3dqN4iX2da
Why Africa Must Build Energy Capacity Fast
Africa still has 600 million people without electricity, and demand will surge as the population is set to double by 2050. To meet needs, the continent must increase power‑generation capacity ten‑fold by 2065 and upgrade grid infrastructure. Financing gaps are acute;...
US Clears Russian Oil for Cuba After Embassy Fuel Deal
Yes, US does PLAN to allow Cuba to receive this approaching Russian oil tanker. But it comes AFTER Cuban regime allowed for import of fuel for the US embassy, sources tell me. Important (until now unreported) action showing Havana playing ball, a...
Will Trump Trigger Another Crude Price Surge?
So, do we get another big Trump crude price jawbone tomorrow morning? And, if so, does it work again?
Philippines Declares Iran War Poses 'Imminent Danger' — Now It Must Lean on Coal. Does the US Face the Same...
The Philippines declared a national energy emergency on March 24 after the Iran‑Houthi war choked oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, slashing fuel reserves to 45 days and forcing emergency oil purchases, a crackdown on hoarding, and a rapid shift...
Small Brent Move Wipes Out $100 Profit
Just mentioned to my business partner (wife) that Brent opened at $16.25 Realized I’m now dropping the leading $100
US Gas Hits $4.10, Biggest 4‑week Jump in 30 Years
Gas prices in the US rose to $4.10 per gallon last week, their highest level since August 2022. The 33% increase over the last 4 weeks ($3.07/gallon to $4.10/gallon) is the biggest 4-week spike we've seen in the past 30 years....
UK’s Net Zero Push Undermines Energy Security, Sparks Pleas
State of this - UK pleading with its neighbours because we've undermined our energy security with Net Zero fanaticism...
Iran's Hormuz Toll Threatens US‑Israel War Strategy
A Hormuz toll run by Iran. Think of the logistics costs and impact. It could be considered a war failure by the US and Israel.
Analyst Warns Oil Crisis Could Trigger May Economic Collapse
Global economy could collapse by early May: Analyst issues stark warning over oil crisis https://t.co/HeVyeLGS3s
Huge Infrastructure Takes Decades, Crumbles in Days
Multi-billion dollar facilities that take decades to build have been damaged in days. @8eanmurray from @fuseenergy says the market hasn't caught up to that math yet. @bitsandbips @Steven_Ehrlich https://t.co/Ki3BewZpBV
Iran War Triggers Double‑digit Commodity Price Surges
Price increases since the start of the Iran war... Heating Oil: +77% European Natural Gas: +71% Brent Crude Oil: +58% WTI Crude Oil: +51% Urea: +48% Diesel: +44% Sulfur: +43% Gasoline: +42% Fertilizer: +29% Coal: +21% Palm Oil: +14% Iron Ore: +7% Rice: +7% US Natural Gas: +6%
Physical Oil Prices Set to Pull Paper Market Up
My latest with @davidlin_TV on physical vs. paper oil markets: "The physical markets are trading well above the paper market prices. Eventually, the paper market is going to be MUGGED BY REALITY, & the price of the paper market will be...
Poorest Nations Hit Hard by Iran‑War Energy Crisis
The world's poorest will bear the brunt of the energy crisis caused by the Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude Prices and S&P 500 Diverge, Highlighting Current Macro Snapshot
the juxtaposition of crude prices (white, Brent) and the S&P 500 (blue) last week is a great snapshot of the current macro moment https://t.co/SUUMhbRJuY
2025‑26 Marks Oil Peak; Prolonged Disruption Likely Contracts Market
2025–26 likely marks the peak plateau for global oil @acidiclemon2 Everything depends on duration A quick resolution could trigger a price-driven rebound (low probability) Longer disruption==> contraction defines the years ahead (high probability) #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket
US Officials Anticipate Oil Soaring to $200 per Barrel
“.. US government officials and Wall Street analysts are starting to consider the prospect that oil prices might surge to an unprecedented $200 a barrel.” @business https://t.co/jKbSZuzsl7 https://t.co/RvefSmh0vP
Robots Install 100 MW Solar, Automation Accelerates Renewable Build
Robotic solar installation is quickly becoming real. Planted, Maximo and others all deploying automated construction platforms. This Maximo machine just installed 100 MW of solar power https://t.co/M1NSKOSVMT
New Perovskite Solar Cell Achieves 26% Efficiency at High Temperatures
Scientits build high temperature-resistant perovskite solar cell with 26% efficiency #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/BIcDoIvSat
US Gas Prices Stay Low, Softening Energy Shock Impact
For the American economy, the key different between the current energy shock and previous ones is the (lack of) impact in US natural gas prices. That's crucial for industrial activity and electricity prices (and thus inflation). Far less reported than...
Geopolitical Chokepoints Threaten AI Data Center Power
What will Iran/Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis/Bab-El-Mandeb and the magic resolution do to the energy needed for all the AI data centers? https://t.co/knB0mXEbND
Energy Sector Rally: XLE Climbs Higher
$XLE - For the person living under a rock but has their twitter feed open. Energy is going up.... Follow along for more of my cutting edge insights.... https://t.co/HBD1aPInUX
Forced Energy Shift Threatens Economic Collapse, Not Green Growth
Jeff currie says we're going to get the energy transition forced on us painfully This isn’t a shift to renewables. It's a shift to a painful economic contraction Less energy High prices Shortages No growth Economic collapse is one way to get to net zero https://t.co/BBsew8QVwP
US Stalls Progress: Regulations, Not Tech, Hold Back Innovation
Why is it so damn hard to do big things in America? Australia has 40% rooftop solar. We have 6%. We can build beautiful homes in a factory for $300k delivered. Local regs block it. The technology isn't the problem. We are. https://t.co/IBSjsr4eDl
Oil Hits $99 Amid Tensions; Economy’s Resilience Tested
Oil spiked above $99 as Middle East tensions escalate. This week's jobs and confidence data will show if the economy can handle the shock or if cracks are starting to emerge. 🟢 Open https://t.co/muP4Yrt2q1
Europe’s Gas Prices Double US Levels Post‑Hormuz
Before the Battle for Hormuz, Europeans were paying about 3x more for nat gas than US consumers. Today, they are paying about 6x. Europe has to drill. Chart below is from my latest piece. https://t.co/pfIpV5UZy3
Rising Oil Prices Hurt Importers, Boost U.S. Exporter
"More expensive oil is bad for Europe, Japan and Korea, all big importers. It is actually a net benefit to the U.S., as an exporter and the world’s biggest producer." — The Wall Street Journal Russia and the Middle East also benefit.