Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have cut three oil rigs and added three gas rigs to their weekly count, while maintaining the same number of rigs.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. oil and gas companies this week reduced three oil rigs while adding three natural-gas rigs. The overall rig count remained unchanged. The 'oil and gas rig number, a leading indicator of future production, remained at 551 during the week ending February 13. Baker Hughes reported that the total count was down 37 rigs or 6% from this time last year. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs dropped by three this week to 409, their lowest level since early January. Gas rigs, however, rose?by three, to 133, the highest level since July 2023.
TC Energy exceeds profit expectations as natural gas and power demand increases
Canadian 'pipeline operator TC Energy' beat analysts' expectations for the fourth quarter?profit % on Friday. This was helped by record natural-gas flows across its North American networks as soaring demand for power from data centers boosted volume. Major pipeline operators are doubling down on expectations of rising natural gas demand as LNG export facilities expand, and cryptocurrency miners and artificial-intelligence ?systems ramp up electricity use. On a call after earnings, executives…
Trump ends US vehicle emission standards, revokes climate regulations
On Thursday, the administration of President Donald Trump announced that it had repealed a scientific conclusion that greenhouse gasses endanger human life and removed federal tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. The administration has rolled back its climate change policies in the most dramatic way possible, following a series of regulatory changes and other actions designed to promote fossil fuels and to impede the development of "clean energy". Trump stated that the EPA had just finished a process to 'terminate the endangerment findings…
France's new Energy Law slashes Renewable Targets, Eases Pressure on EDF
After years of debate, France has finally passed a new law on energy that reduces its "wind and solar" targets and removes the mandate for EDF (the state-owned firm) to shut down nuclear plants. We need to stop the internal family fighting. "We need both renewables and nuclear," said Roland Lescure, finance minister. After almost three years, the law will be passed by decree after bitter debate among legislators. It also reverses an earlier legal mandate that required 14 reactors to close. This was a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron during his 2017 election campaign.
Energy secretary warns against legitimacy of Chinese deals
Chris Wright, the U.S. secretary of energy, urged on Wednesday that the U.S. invest more in Venezuela during the most high-level visit to the U.S. focused on energy policies in almost three decades. Wright also warned about the legitimacy of Chinese companies in the OPEC nation. Wright stated that the U.S. After a meeting with the Interim President, Delcy Rodriquez, at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, the U.S. Wright stated in a televised press conference that "this year we can drive an increase in Venezuelan gas…
Fertiliser company Yara warns of slower sales in 2026 after Q4 loss
Yara, a Norwegian fertiliser manufacturer, reported earnings for the fourth quarter that were slightly below expectations. They also said that heavy buying in Europe late last year would impact early 2026 sales despite a strong demand. "Strong sales in Europe and imports during Q4 led to a slower start in 2026, with most farmers covered for their first application," Yara stated in a press release. Svein Holsether, CEO of Svein Tore, told analysts that simultaneous purchases from North America and Europe…
Congo declares it will seek out other partners in the event that US Minerals Framework fails
If the minerals?cooperation agreement with the United States does not lead to concrete projects, then the Democratic Republic of Congo will seek out other partners. The country's mining minister stated that the framework does not result in concrete projects. "Everything that we have done in our relationship with America has been a framework within which we can discuss issues of mutual interest." Louis Watum Kabamba told the crowds at the?Indaba Mining Conference in Cape Town that this is all there is. It could become a major project. It could also be another project they don't like.
Chile to receive its first Australian LNG in 3 years amid tighter Atlantic supply
According to ship tracking data, two Australian LNG cargoes are on their way to Chile. This would be the first time in three years that Chile has received shipments of this nature. The competition between these two 'basins' could be increased by more cargoes being sent to the Atlantic. This would also support the spot LNG price in the region. Kpler data shows that the Gaslog Gladstone tanker, which loaded cargo at Queensland Curtis LNG terminal (QCLNG), on January 27, is expected to arrive in Quintero, Chile on February 14.
Maguire: Australia's renewable energy boom will deliver a coveted price for power
Australia's wholesale power prices dropped to their lowest level in four years by 2025. This bucking of rising prices elsewhere, and proving that renewables-intensive power systems can lower power costs for consumers. The increased battery storage capacity, and the solar farms could allow utilities to reduce operating costs. These savings may be passed on to businesses and households as early as this year. According to Ember, an energy think tank, Australia's electrical system has been undergoing 'one of the most aggressive' overhauls in the last decade.
TotalEnergies will provide solar energy to Google's Texas Data Centres
TotalEnergies, a French oil major, signed two long-term deals on Monday to supply solar energy to Google's Texas data centres. The company is looking to meet the rising demand for electricity driven by artificial intelligence. Two Texas sites owned by the group are expected to start construction in the second quarter. Total will be able to deliver 1 gigawatt - or?28 terawatt hours of renewable energy over 15 years. The company is bucking the trend of oil majors and investing in renewable energy alongside gas fired power?plants.
What can oil prices tell you about the market? Not a lot: Bousso
The global oil market is experiencing a series of price spikes due to geopolitical tensions and the opaque stockpiling. Western sanctions and tightening Western sanction are also causing traders to be in the dark. Prices may not accurately reflect the physical fundamentals of commodities due to the growing influence of unpredictable external forces on this world's most liquid and largest commodity market. In fact, it appears that the global oil markets are struggling to find a balance between supply and demand.
Trump criticizes Olympic Skier for Comments about Representing US
U.S. president Donald Trump criticised American Olympic skier Hunter Hess, on Sunday. Days earlier, the athlete had expressed "mixed feelings" about representing the U.S. in the 'Winter Olympics' held in northern Italy. The presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel at the Milano Cortina Olympics has sparked political tensions. After two agents in Minneapolis were shot and killed last month, the agency has faced protests all over the U.S. Hess said that it was "a little hard" for him to represent the United States at a press conference held in Milan, Italy, on Friday.
Trump lashes out at Olympic skier for comments made about representing the US
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, criticised American Olympic skier Hunter Hess Sunday. This comes days after Hess expressed his mixed feelings about representing?the United States. The Winter Olympics are taking place in northern Italy. The presence of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the?Olympics in Milano Cortina has sparked political tensions. After agents killed two people in Minneapolis, the agency faced protests all over the U.S. Hess, the freestyle skier who represented the U.S.
Tesla executives announce that the company is expanding its solar strategy to include more employees.
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to help support Elon Musk’s plan to become the largest U.S. manufacturer for solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last?month. Seth Winger wrote, "This is a bold, ambitious project," in one of many posts made by Tesla executives on LinkedIn. We need ambitious, audacious engineers and scientists who can help us scale up to a massive scale.
Tesla executives are hiring to support Musk’s solar expansion strategy
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to support Elon Musk’s recent announcement to become the largest U.S. producer of solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last? month. Seth Winger is Tesla's senior manager of solar product engineering. He wrote this in a LinkedIn post. We need ambitious, audacious engineers and scientists who can help us scale up massively.
Glencore focuses on short-term disposals while Rio deal remains elusive
Glencore, the Swiss-based mining company, is likely to sell assets to bolster its copper portfolio after failing to merge with Rio Tinto. The two companies have called off talks to create a global mining giant worth $240 billion due to disagreements over valuation and ownership. This is the third failed attempt at a tie-up, following earlier merger discussions between 2014 and 2024. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that Glencore will announce its sale of its 70 percent stake in Kazzinc in the next few weeks as part of its portfolio reshaping.
Trinidad's Atlantic LNG will shut down Train 4 to perform major maintenance
Three people familiar with the plan said that Trinidad and Tobago’s flagship 'Atlantic LNG' plans to close its 6 million metric ton per annum Train 4 in May and/or June for maintenance and repairs. Atlantic LNG is owned by Shell, BP and Trinidad's National Gas Company. Each company holds a 45% share. According to documents from the company, this facility will account for?roughly 15% of BP’s global LNG production in 2025 and 10% of Shell’s LNG output. People told us that the maintenance and repairs will begin on May 4, and last between 45-50 days.
Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with growing exports of EVs.
China's position as the world leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span over 150 countries. Electric vehicles are a major part of China's manufacturing industry, and millions of people work in the various supply chains that support?clean cars? and their components. Over half of new cars in China are EVs. But as the domestic market slows, China's EV industry is likely to become more dependent on foreign markets. This will be true even if trade tensions arise with other countries.
Prices for EUROPE GAS are on the decline due to warmer temperatures forecasts and a solid supply
The benchmark Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell on Friday morning, as?warmer temperatures curbed the demand for gas and supplies of?liquefied gas remained high. Data compiled by LSEG revealed that the benchmark 'Dutch - front-month contract' at TTF hub had fallen 0.30 euros to 34.76 Euro per megawatt hour (12.02 /mmBtu) by 0934 GMT. This week, the benchmark contract fell by around 14% as a result of price drops in America due to freezing temperatures that had affected gas production.
Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with EV export growth.
China's position as a global leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its massive EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span well?over 150 different countries and territories. Electric vehicles are a major part of China's manufacturing industry, and millions of people work in the various supply chains that support clean cars. Over half of new cars in China are EVs. But as domestic demand declines, the country's EV industry is likely to be more dependent on foreign markets. This will happen despite trade tensions between China and the target countries.