US Sues Two California Cities over Limitations on Gas in New Buildings
On Monday, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against two Californian cities to stop 'local laws that restrict natural-gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction. This lawsuit is the latest attack by 'the administration on energy policies which seek to limit fossil fuel use to combat climate changes. California, a Democratic stronghold in the United States, has some of the most aggressive climate change policies around the globe.
What is the current status of the international oil companies in Venezuela following Maduro’s capture?
Here are some key facts about the international oil companies operating in Venezuela. The country, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, is now in crisis following the capture of the President Nicolas Maduro.Hugo Chavez, the former president, expropriated foreign oil companies' assets in the 2000s. This strengthened the state-owned PDVSA?control over Venezuela's oilfields. Due to Washington's sanction, foreign companies must now obtain authorizations from the United States to negotiate…
Orban: US involvement in Venezuela is good for energy markets
The U.S. decision that led to the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should have a positive effect on the world's energy markets, said Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban on Monday. He added that both Venezuela and the U.S. would control half of all global oil reserves. Special Forces, the largest U.S. intervention since 1989's invasion of Panama in Latin America, swooped in on Caracas with helicopters over the weekend to apprehend Maduro and then take him to New York for a drug charge.
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain oil production despite tensions among its members
OPEC+ agreed to?maintain a?steady?oil output during its Sunday meeting, according to an OPEC+ delegates and a source who was familiar with the talks. This is despite the political tensions that exist between Saudi Arabia and UAE and the capture by the U.S. of Venezuela's president. The eight members of OPEC+ who pump about half a world's oil will meet on Sunday after oil prices dropped more than 18% between 2025 and 2020, their steepest annual drop since 2010.
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain oil production despite tensions among its members
OPEC+ delegates reportedly said that despite the political tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?and U.S. capture the president of smaller producer 'Venezuela,' OPEC+ is likely to maintain steady oil production at its Sunday meeting. The OPEC+ meeting on Sunday, which includes eight members who pump about half of the world's crude oil, was called after oil prices dropped more than 18% between 2025 and 2020, their biggest drop in a year since then, amid concerns over an increasing oil supply.
Venezuelan oil reserves: No quick fixes
Even if U.S. Oil Majors invest the billions that President Donald Trump announced just hours after he took office, Venezuela's crude production is unlikely to increase significantly for many years. Venezuela may have the largest oil reserves in the world, but its production has dropped?over the last decade due to a lack investment by foreign firms. In the 2000s Venezuela nationalized oil operations that included?assets? of Exxon Mobil & ConocoPhillips.
US Natural Gas Futures Fall Ahead of Warmer Weather, Slow Demand
U.S. natural gas futures began the year on a weak note on Friday, weighed down by forecasts for warmer weather and expectations of slower demand growth.Front-month gas futures for February delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange were 9.6 cents, or 2.6%, lower at $3.59 per million British thermal units. The contract posted a 1.5% gain in 2025, after rising over 44% in 2024. "There were concerns that the La Nina was breaking down a little bit, leading to warmer temperatures.
What just happened? Ten charts that will help you understand the market in 2025
The past year will not be forgotten soon. The conventional wisdom about investor behavior and economics was often challenged in 2025 as technology, energy, and geopolitics influenced markets in unexpected ways. Here are ten charts that explain what happened in the year 2025, and what this might mean for 2019. Donald?Trump’s "America First " agenda was a key driver of market growth in 2025, particularly during the first half. The U.S.
The Dutch benchmark is expected to finish the year 40% lower than last year's price.
The Dutch and British gas wholesale prices were not much changed on Wednesday morning as wind power output curbed gas plant demand. However, the benchmark Dutch contract for the front month of 2025 is expected to be around 40% lower than it was at the beginning of the year. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was up 0.32 euros at 28.12 Euros per megawatt hour or $9.66 /mmBtu at 0904 GMT. LSEG data shows that this is a 42% drop from the last transaction on December 31, 2020 of 48.40 eur/MWh.
New York Times Business News - December 31,
These are the most popular stories from the New York Times business pages. These'stories' have not been verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy. A federal judge rejected on Tuesday the claim of President Donald Trump’s administration that they are legally prohibited from securing funds for the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The judge noted that a court ruling?already prohibits the administration from closing the agency.
What just happened? Ten charts that will help you understand the market in 2025
The past year will not be forgotten soon. The conventional wisdom about investor behavior and economics was often challenged in 2025 as technology, energy, and geopolitics influenced markets in unexpected ways. Here are 10 charts to help you understand what happened in the year 2025, and what that might mean for 2019. Donald Trump's?America First? agenda was a key market driver for 2025, particularly during the first half of the calendar year. The U.S.
Oil Prices Stabilize as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade, Yemen Tensions Rise
Oil prices were steady in choppy trade on Tuesday as investors weighed dented hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East around Yemen.Brent crude futures for February delivery, which expire on Tuesday, were up 3 cents, or 0.05%, at $61.97 a barrel at 1:18 p.m. EDT. The more active March contract was down 12 cents or 0.2% at $61.37.U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 6 cents…
The head of the car association says that demand for lithium batteries in China will fall by early 2026.
The secretary general of China's passenger vehicle association stated on Sunday that the demand for Chinese lithium batteries is likely to fall in early 2026, due to a predicted drop?in domestic sales of electric vehicles and a slowdown in battery exports. In a social media post, Cui Dongshu said that the demand for energy batteries would drop dramatically by 2026. Battery makers should reduce production and rest in order to deal with these fluctuations. China is the world's?leader?
Palm climbs on Dalian's strength; set to gain weekly
Malaysian palm oils futures were up on Friday, and they were poised to make their first weekly gains in three weeks,?boosted by Dalian oil, which was stronger, although a stronger ringgit limited the gains. By midday, the benchmark March palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange had gained 31 ringgit or 0.77% to 4,068 Ringgit ($1,007.93). This week, the contract has increased by?3.38%. A Kuala Lumpur based trader reported that the market had a strong rally.
Palm gains muted by firmer Ringgit, despite crude gains
Malaysian palm futures were flat on Wednesday, as the 'ringgit strengthened and weighed down on the market. However, the pressure from the stronger currency was offset by the higher crude oil price. At the close, the benchmark contract for?palm?oil delivery in March on the Bursa Derivatives exchange fell 1 ringgit or 0.02% to 4,035 Ringgit ($998.02) per metric ton. The contract has risen 3.35% over the last two sessions. A Kuala Lumpur based?trader said that the palm?oil was slightly lower due to a stronger Ringgit.
Russia builds its first LNG tanker of the ice class and plans to build two more by 2026
Interfax, citing the CEO of the company, reported that 'Russia's leading tanker group Sovcomflot' received its first Russian-built Ice-class tanker built for liquefied gas from Zvezda Shipyard. It plans to order two more in the next year. Due to Ukraine-related sanction, Russia has difficulty in securing gas carriers. This is especially true for vessels that can?cut through thick Arctic ice?and serve LNG projects. Zvezda is Russia's most advanced shipbuilding facility.
FEATURE-AI data explosion in Mexico fuels rise of dirty energy
The country's power infrastructure is overloaded and pollution has increased due to the shortfall in green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy. These servers power the most powerful technology companies, like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
AI data explosion in Mexico fuels growth in dirty energy
The lack of green power, despite promises by government and industry to increase capacity, has overloaded and increased local pollution. Masheika Allgood is the founder of AllAI Consulting. She provides information on data center environmental impacts. The data centers are huge warehouses that are the size of Olympic stadiums. They sprawl over industrial parks and house hundreds of servers, which consume a lot of energy. These servers power the most powerful technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
Bousso: The geopolitical premium of oil in the ROI vanished by 2025 and is unlikely to return.
In 2025, the global oil markets were faced with multiple black swans events - such as the Israel-Iran War and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refiners. Yet they were barely affected. In an era when energy is abundant, this calm could be the new norm. The year 2025, by any measure, was chaotic in geopolitics, with President Donald Trump's return to his White House and his flurry of trade, diplomatic and policy initiatives dominating the year. On June 12, Israel attacked military, government, and nuclear sites in Iran.
Bousso: The geopolitical premium of oil in the ROI vanished by 2025 and is unlikely to return.
In 2025, the global oil markets were faced with multiple black swans events - such as the Israel-Iran War and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries - but they were not fazed. In an age of abundant energy, this calm could be the new norm. The year 2025 will be remembered as a geopolitical chaos, due to President Donald Trump's return in January, and his frenzy of trade, policy and diplomatic initiatives. On June 12, Israel bombed Iranian military, government, and nuclear sites.