Art Berman Blog

Art Berman Blog

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Oil & gas markets, macro, geology‑informed energy analysis.

Congo’s Sovereignty, Not Ownership, Controls Cobalt Supply
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Congo’s Sovereignty, Not Ownership, Controls Cobalt Supply

China’s cobalt strategy assumed that owning mines guaranteed supply. Congo’s export controls show that sovereignty trumps ownership. China controls processing; Congo controls the tap. https://t.co/sBpdLF03jS #Cobalt #CriticalMinerals #China #SupplyChains #Geopolitics @ctindale

By Art Berman Blog
AI Growth Hits Power Grid, Not Capital, Bottleneck
SocialFeb 25, 2026

AI Growth Hits Power Grid, Not Capital, Bottleneck

The AI buildout is running into hard physical limits. Capital isn’t the constraint; power is Grids are full, turbines are sold out, and timelines don’t bend for hyperscalers. https://t.co/GNXtK2Hb8p #AI #Energy #PowerGrid #DataCenters #Infrastructure #Geopolitics

By Art Berman Blog
Copper Profits Depend on Long‑term Price Strength
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Copper Profits Depend on Long‑term Price Strength

Copper is driving miners' profits But exposure is hard to scale unless prices stay high for years Profits are hard to maintain unless supply growth fails Mega-mergers failed because sellers wanted to be paid for the future scarcity now Usual good insights from @ClydeCommods...

By Art Berman Blog
US Shale and SPR only Temporary Buffers for Iran Shock
SocialFeb 25, 2026

US Shale and SPR only Temporary Buffers for Iran Shock

U.S. shale + SPR barrels & China’s vast stockpiles will offset Iran oil disruptions, writes @ronbousso1 But shale doesn't surge on command & stockpiles are a short-lived buffer The most likely shock absorbers are a limited Iran conflict & China stepping...

By Art Berman Blog
Uranium Enrichment Capacity, Not Reactors, Limits Supply
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Uranium Enrichment Capacity, Not Reactors, Limits Supply

Uranium enrichment is running straight into a hard physical bottleneck Enrichment capacity, not reactors, is the constraint The US is still deeply dependent on Russian enrichment https://t.co/UzZh17Lcy5 #NuclearEnergy #Uranium #EnergySecurity #SupplyChains #EnergyTransition #Geopolitics

By Art Berman Blog
Oil Growth Hinges on Brent Holding $70 Level
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Oil Growth Hinges on Brent Holding $70 Level

Oil industry won’t grow unless Brent gets up to ~$70 & stays there Below that, drilling dries up and investment stalls. https://t.co/GEUV5bEdMd #OilPrices #EnergyMarkets #Brent #Permian #Production #Capex #Commodities #OilIndustry #MarketSignals

By Art Berman Blog
Vaca Muerta's Promise Stalls Behind Fiscal and Infrastructure Hurdles
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Vaca Muerta's Promise Stalls Behind Fiscal and Infrastructure Hurdles

Argentina’s Vaca Muerta looks great on paper, but it’s not the next Permian. Argentina’s fiscal mess, weak infrastructure, & massive capex needs are real barriers. Continental’s hype says as much about a fading Bakken play as it does about Vaca Muerta. https://t.co/SGzycaNHEd #Oil...

By Art Berman Blog
Iran's Oil Loadings Hit 2018 Highs, Margins Thin
SocialFeb 24, 2026

Iran's Oil Loadings Hit 2018 Highs, Margins Thin

Iran is pumping and loading at near-2018 highs ahead of nuclear talks Loadings are surging, buyers are softer, and oil-on-water is piling up More leverage, more risk, thinner margins. https://t.co/AZPC1zaGls #Oil #Iran #Hormuz #Sanctions #Geopolitics #EnergyMarkets

By Art Berman Blog
U.S. Plant Retirements Clash With Surging Power Demand
SocialFeb 24, 2026

U.S. Plant Retirements Clash With Surging Power Demand

The U.S. plans to retire ~11 GW of power plants in 2026, mostly coal & aging gas Don’t count on it. Power demand is surging faster than new generation can be brought into the grid. Renewables aren't fit for purpose except at the...

By Art Berman Blog
Bloomberg's Oil Glut Narrative Shows They're Six Months Late
SocialFeb 24, 2026

Bloomberg's Oil Glut Narrative Shows They're Six Months Late

Bloomberg is still arguing “oil glut” & saying the correlation between geopolitics in the Middle East & oil prices is "broken" How can @bbgoriginals be 6 months behind the curve & still be in the news business? #Oil #EnergyMarkets #Geopolitics #Commodities...

By Art Berman Blog
Shadow Oil Fleet Stressed, Sanctions Spur Higher Prices
SocialFeb 24, 2026

Shadow Oil Fleet Stressed, Sanctions Spur Higher Prices

The shadow oil fleet isn’t gone — it’s under stress Seizures raise costs & strand barrels, but doing more against Russian & Iranian flows means higher oil prices & inflation https://t.co/P5EDN7PrRY #Oil #Sanctions #EnergySecurity #Russia #Iran #Geopolitics

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Syria's Oil Output Slashed To
SocialFeb 23, 2026

Syria's Oil Output Slashed To

Syria's oil production is a zero-rounding error @NoamRaydan Current levels are roughly 100–120 kb/d. Max production before the Civil War was 400 kb/d. As you note, its heavy, sour crude must be exported to Greece or Italy b/c it has no complex...

By Art Berman Blog
Europe’s Gas Crunch Stems From Storage Shortage, Not LNG Scarcity
SocialFeb 23, 2026

Europe’s Gas Crunch Stems From Storage Shortage, Not LNG Scarcity

Europe’s gas problem isn’t a lack of LNG — it’s a lack of buffer, writes @seb_kennedy With storage below 32%, even hypothetical risks like Hormuz move prices fast. #TTF #LNG #EnergySecurity #GasMarkets #Geopolitics

By Art Berman Blog
Shale Model Unsustainable; Investors Fled in 2018
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Shale Model Unsustainable; Investors Fled in 2018

I said the shale business model could not last. Investors got that message on their own and fled in 2018 @AmbroserayRay Act out your inferiority complex elsewhere—not on my feed.

By Art Berman Blog
Oil Glut Myth Debunked: Sanctions Tighten Real Supply
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Oil Glut Myth Debunked: Sanctions Tighten Real Supply

The oil glut narrative is dying or dead A market rallying 18% YTD isn’t drowning in supply. Yes, barrels exist on paper But sanctions, disruptions, inventories & geopolitics mean they’re not available where prices are set. These views are from the @BloombergNRG article. I agree...

By Art Berman Blog
Iran's Survival Shift Fuels Chaos Amid China Metal Competition
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Iran's Survival Shift Fuels Chaos Amid China Metal Competition

Teheran now believes it's marked for death, writes @ctindale Once survival replaces strategy, restraint evaporates & chaos becomes leverage Anyone who thinks this isn’t about oil—specifically balancing China’s grip on metals—simply isn’t paying attention #Geopolitics #Iran #Deterrence #EnergySecurity #PowerPolitics #Risk #MiddleEast #StrategicStability

By Art Berman Blog
Trump Uses Iran Threat as Energy Leverage, Not War
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Trump Uses Iran Threat as Energy Leverage, Not War

War with Iran & energy dominance are unrelated IMO @AsimRiaz1978 Trump knows an Iran strike risks an oil spike & voter blowback at the pump. That's why I think the buildup & a strike are coercive leverage, not a plan...

By Art Berman Blog
Houston Firm Acquires Oil Assets via Concho, Shell Deals
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Houston Firm Acquires Oil Assets via Concho, Shell Deals

"The oil and gas holdings in question were acquired by the Houston-based company through previous transactions involving Concho Resources and Shell, according to the report," @geolsubho https://t.co/OlyZeu35Mu

By Art Berman Blog
Brent Spreads Widen Sharply as Front‑month Jumps
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Brent Spreads Widen Sharply as Front‑month Jumps

Where's the Glut? Brent 12-month spread widened $1.79 (52%) 6-month spread widened $0.68 (30%) for the week ending February 20 Front-month price increased $4.01 from $67.75 to $71.76 #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/GkGOzWLZRj

By Art Berman Blog
Trump's Energy Policy Failed, Wasting Oil Leverage on China
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Trump's Energy Policy Failed, Wasting Oil Leverage on China

Energy dominance has been Trump’s most consequential failure @Anon1Oil No Defense Production Act. No serious incentives. No strategy. “Drill, baby, drill” turned into “die, baby, die” in the oil patch. And he’s wasted oil as leverage against China. As for telling me...

By Art Berman Blog
Russian Fuel Tanker to Cuba Highlights US Policy Limits
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Russian Fuel Tanker to Cuba Highlights US Policy Limits

A Russian fuel tanker is heading to Cuba This is a smart move to bring Cuba's humanitarian crisis into the public view. Trump doesn’t want that but he can't do nothing about the oil. He’s boxed in. https://t.co/6TnMy2f4wv #Cuba #Sanctions #EnergyCrisis #Geopolitics #Oil #HumanitarianCrisis #USForeignPolicy...

By Art Berman Blog
Conoco Exit Signals Earlier End to Permian Shale Boom
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Conoco Exit Signals Earlier End to Permian Shale Boom

When Conoco cashes out of the Permian, it says shale’s runway is closer to over than investors assume. It also suggests that desperation for cash takes precedence over a growth story for investors. Bleak stuff for Energy Dominance https://t.co/v8EuOOFeWj #Oil #Permian #Shale #EnergyReality #PeakShale

By Art Berman Blog
Sanctions Cripple Cuba's Grid, Wealth Fuels Private Power
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Sanctions Cripple Cuba's Grid, Wealth Fuels Private Power

Sanctions + fuel shortages broke the Cuban grid Those with dollars self-electrify while the rest sit in the dark. Energy desperation risks deepening inequality while the broader economy deteriorates. https://t.co/xOjVSt4Eep #EnergyCrisis #Cuba #Sanctions #Solar #GridFailure

By Art Berman Blog
Oil Volatility Beats Fundamentals Amid Trump Risk
SocialFeb 21, 2026

Oil Volatility Beats Fundamentals Amid Trump Risk

Markets are trading a binary Trump headline risk, says @Ole_S_Hansen Oil isn’t moving on fundamentals alone—traders are loading up on upside calls while inventories draw hard. When positioning shifts this fast, volatility is the signal, not the noise. https://t.co/Lan48DvOA7 #OilMarkets #Brent #WTI...

By Art Berman Blog
Oil Won’t Ride Super‑Cycle; Growth Slowdown Limits Prices
SocialFeb 20, 2026

Oil Won’t Ride Super‑Cycle; Growth Slowdown Limits Prices

Beware of the "bull-run narrative" @Matalasdavid Oil's a risk asset unlike value commodities. It's unlikely to have a super-cycle trajectory. 👇 https://t.co/7PUYBWe4PR As economic growth slows, oil will slow. #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket

By Art Berman Blog
US NatGas Spot Prices Under Marginal Cost Post‑Vortex
SocialFeb 20, 2026

US NatGas Spot Prices Under Marginal Cost Post‑Vortex

U.S. Natural Gas in Post-Vortex Price Discovery: Spot Prices Below Marginal Cost $3.27 spot price was at least $1.80 less on the red curve & $0.90 less on the orange curve #energy #NaturalGas #shale #fintwit #oilandgas #Commodities #ONGT #natgas #LNG https://t.co/OIY9qxNzmU

By Art Berman Blog
Structural Conditions Set Stage for Multi-Year Energy Bull
SocialFeb 20, 2026

Structural Conditions Set Stage for Multi-Year Energy Bull

The STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS are right for a multi-year bull energy market, says @ericnuttall That doesn't mean it's started or that it will be a straight line back to $90-$100 oil prices. Prices will remain volatile, cyclical, and politically distorted — even...

By Art Berman Blog
Iran Strike Could Spike Oil Above $90, Duration Key
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Iran Strike Could Spike Oil Above $90, Duration Key

Iran risk is unpriceable, writes Rabobank's Joe DeLaura. No strike and oil fades to the low $60s. A strike and $90+ is immediate. What matters isn’t the spike, it’s how long the disruption lasts. #OilMarkets #Iran #Hormuz #Geopolitics #EnergySecurity https://t.co/L6wTlG3QZf

By Art Berman Blog
Iran's Infrastructure Attacks Raise Oil Risk Beyond Market Assumptions
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Iran's Infrastructure Attacks Raise Oil Risk Beyond Market Assumptions

Truth from @ClydeCommods 👇 The Iran risk premium assumes a deal or a contained strike that leaves flows intact What if Iran stops playing by the “keep oil flowing” rule & targets infrastructure to force political outcomes? That tail risk is higher than...

By Art Berman Blog
Venezuela's Oil Revival Is Overhyped, Still Decayed
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Venezuela's Oil Revival Is Overhyped, Still Decayed

Venezuela’s oil “revival” is being wildly oversold. It’s a salvage operation. Rusted pipes, polluted lakes, broken upgraders, and legal risk everywhere. You can’t fix 20 years of decay with a few rigs & a pep talk. https://t.co/tmf2KANGJr #OilMarkets #Venezuela #EnergyReality #Sanctions #crudeoil

By Art Berman Blog
Confusion Over “Double Tail” Amid Oil Price Concerns
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Confusion Over “Double Tail” Amid Oil Price Concerns

I doubt many people have any idea what you mean by “the built in double tail” or how that relates to my post on oil prices and geological fear about the Iran situation @B2Balzer

By Art Berman Blog
US Iran Strike Would Spark Prolonged, Global Fallout
SocialFeb 19, 2026

US Iran Strike Would Spark Prolonged, Global Fallout

If the US strikes Iran, it won’t be a weekend event, writes @TheMichaelEvery Retaliation risks include terror cells in Europe The broader Middle East is flammable Energy markets are rightly pricing tail risk—but the real question is duration, not ignition #OilMarkets #Iran #Geopolitics...

By Art Berman Blog
LNG Exports Surpass US Domestic Gas Use, Taxpayers Fund Profits
SocialFeb 19, 2026

LNG Exports Surpass US Domestic Gas Use, Taxpayers Fund Profits

LNG exports volumes are now higher than gas for US homes or businesses The public is subsidizing corporate oil & gas company profits. Long live Make America Great Again https://t.co/cKeIFab7A4 #NaturalGas #LNG #EnergyMarkets #ElectricityPrices #USPolitics #EnergySecurity

By Art Berman Blog
China Buys US LNG, Redirects It to Europe
SocialFeb 19, 2026

China Buys US LNG, Redirects It to Europe

China hasn’t stopped buying U.S. LNG It’s just not burning it at home. Long-term contracts still bind the two systems Flexible LNG markets let China arbitrage politics by diverting cargoes to Europe. Does anyone on Team Trump know this? https://t.co/CacMbcaSMk #LNG #China #EnergyMarkets #Geopolitics #TradeWar #NaturalGas

By Art Berman Blog
Power Costs, Not Tariffs, Decide Aluminum Smelter Survival
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Power Costs, Not Tariffs, Decide Aluminum Smelter Survival

Trump tariffs couldn’t save a major U.S. aluminum smelter Smelting lives or dies on cheap, reliable power AI and data centers now outcompete metalmaking for electricity. Tariffs are the minor leagues. Energy is the big show. https://t.co/z7ZanDwxd5 #Aluminum #EnergyPolicy #Manufacturing #AI #Trade #PowerMarkets

By Art Berman Blog
Geopolitical Fears Add Incremental Risk Premium to Oil
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Geopolitical Fears Add Incremental Risk Premium to Oil

Oil rallied on fear Iran headlines + Israel alerts = instant risk premium in a tight market But geopolitics don't matter. Except they do in small continuous increments that convert to a steady aggregate premium. https://t.co/6vQGj7YEmu #OilMarkets #Geopolitics #Iran #EnergySecurity #crudeoil

By Art Berman Blog
Libya Redirects Oil Payments From Russia to Western Traders
SocialFeb 19, 2026

Libya Redirects Oil Payments From Russia to Western Traders

Libya is cutting Russia out of its oil trade Fuel imports are shifting away from Russia toward large Western traders Sanctions didn’t “punish” Libya into changing behavior. They reshaped who gets paid. https://t.co/pmKRlqgEK1 #OilMarkets #Libya #EnergyGeopolitics #Sanctions #OPEC #crudeoil

By Art Berman Blog
States Sue Trump Over Blocked Renewable Funding
SocialFeb 19, 2026

States Sue Trump Over Blocked Renewable Funding

States sue Trump administration for blocking funded renewable projects Congress approved the money. The White House froze it. Now states are daring the courts to decide if the Constitution still stands. https://t.co/rYIh7fS9kw #ClimatePolicy #Federalism #EnergyPolitics #IRA #USPolitics

By Art Berman Blog
U.S. Refiners Accuse Trump‑linked Scheme in Venezuelan Oil
SocialFeb 19, 2026

U.S. Refiners Accuse Trump‑linked Scheme in Venezuelan Oil

U.S. refiners want to cut out traders & Chevron from Venezuelan crude purchases. They see the Trump setup as a RIP OFF Barrels now must move thru an elite club of approved middle men. Want to bet there's a grift component flowing to...

By Art Berman Blog
Data Isn't Worthless; Misinterpretations Are
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Data Isn't Worthless; Misinterpretations Are

I strongly disagree with your statement that "the IEA is a worthless source of any data" @carldean1960 How can data be worthless? Interpretations of data & using data to push agendas can be worthless but not the data itself

By Art Berman Blog
Markets Replace Climate Ambition, Accepting Risk for Profit
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Markets Replace Climate Ambition, Accepting Risk for Profit

The podcast’s takeaway is that climate policy is becoming “pragmatic” & markets will take over from climate ambition But markets helped create the problem, and ambition never cut emissions. Calling this realism is just accepting catastrophic risk for profit @RystadEnergy #ClimateReality...

By Art Berman Blog
IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability

Net zero & climate analysis are fully compatible with the IEA’s mission of promoting energy security, economic stability & cooperation among member states @AzizSapphire @SecretaryWright is right that IEA went too far but wrong saying that net zero was all it...

By Art Berman Blog
Rig Counts Mislead; Production Trends Need Context
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Rig Counts Mislead; Production Trends Need Context

Rig counts are a weak, context-dependent signal of future production @chigrl Fewer rigs in Russia don’t mean much after a decade of fracking conventional fields. Apply the same logic to the US and you’d wrongly conclude sanctions killed output here. #OilMarkets...

By Art Berman Blog
Subsidized Renewables Force Nuclear Cycling, Raising Costs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Subsidized Renewables Force Nuclear Cycling, Raising Costs

More bad news for renewables Flooding a low-growth power system with subsidized wind & solar forces nuclear plants to cycle, not run steady. That raises wear, maintenance costs & financial stress, undermining the economics of existing reactors & making new nuclear harder...

By Art Berman Blog
Iran Opts for Limited Concessions, Postpones Real Deal Until Post‑midterms
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Iran Opts for Limited Concessions, Postpones Real Deal Until Post‑midterms

Tehran will trade limited, face-saving concessions because it thinks it can survive bombs better than it can survive a domestic revolt. There will be a “bridge deal” that kicks the can. The real deal comes after US mid-term elections.' https://t.co/8UhDWkB5al #Iran #Israel #US #MiddleEast...

By Art Berman Blog
Oil Markets See Trump’s Hawkish Talk as Theater
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Oil Markets See Trump’s Hawkish Talk as Theater

Iran says it has “understanding on principles” with the US That was always the most likely outcome. Trump won't risk higher oil prices into an election cycle, writes @Ole_S_Hansen The oil market correctly judges his hawkish rhetoric as theater. #oil #Brent #Iran #geopolitics...

By Art Berman Blog
Guyana Gains as Venezuela's Maduro Falls, Boosting Investment
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Guyana Gains as Venezuela's Maduro Falls, Boosting Investment

Guyana is the biggest winner from Maduro's ouster in Venezuela. "It removes the biggest barrier for foreign investment," said CSIS's Henry Ziemer Lower risk premium, faster development, higher upside. https://t.co/1Tpj1OK8dp #oil #Guyana #Exxon #geopolitics #energy

By Art Berman Blog
EU's 70% Local EV Rule Risks Higher Costs, Trade Friction
SocialFeb 17, 2026

EU's 70% Local EV Rule Risks Higher Costs, Trade Friction

The EU plans to force 70% of EVs sold in Europe to be built there Good luck requiring China to accept higher labor costs & regulatory burden. Success case: higher EV costs, slower rollout & more trade friction. Good plan https://t.co/rHXHgNgJyN #EU #EVs #industrialpolicy #protectionism...

By Art Berman Blog
Iran's Hormuz Drills Raise Risk Premium, Shrink Deal Space
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Iran's Hormuz Drills Raise Risk Premium, Shrink Deal Space

Iran launched naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz “Maximum pressure” cuts both ways. Iran wants nuclear-only talk, while the US wants missiles and proxies too The “deal space” is small and the risk premium stays high. https://t.co/Gs9viHRneW #oil #Brent #Hormuz #Iran #geopolitics #energysecurity #OPEC...

By Art Berman Blog