The energy sector surged the day after Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), representing energy stocks in the S&P 500, climbing nearly 4%. This rally reflects market optimism […]
U.S. Shale Revolution Slows Down: The Start of a Decline?
Oil and gas fields, no matter how productive, eventually decline. Before the transformative impact of the shale boom, U.S. oil production had been steadily falling for decades, while natural gas output had plateaued. The Shale […]
California is Driving Away Its Energy Sector
On October 16, 2024, the refiner Phillips 66 announced that it will cease operations at its Los Angeles-area refinery in the fourth quarter of 2025. This announcement came a few days after California Governor Gavin […]
Is LNG Cleaner Than Coal? A Controversial Study Sparks Debate
A new article in Financial Times discusses a controversial academic paper by Cornell University professor Robert Howarth that has reignited the debate over liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its environmental impact. Howarth’s peer-reviewed paper, published […]
Why U.S. Oil Production Is Up 6.5% in 2024
According to the latest Weekly Petroleum Status Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, year-to-date daily average oil production is 13.2 million barrels per day. That is 6.5% higher than last year’s record production of […]
Why Kamala Harris Won’t Ban Fracking
During the recent heated presidential debate, former President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris would ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking) if she becomes president. He asserted, “If she won the election, fracking in […]
The Truth About Refilling The SPR
Last weekend, I found myself embroiled in some social media drama related to a previous article I wrote. The article was “The Biden Administration Is Not Refilling The Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” published in May. The […]
Why OPEC’s Decisions Impact The U.S.
Earlier this year, OPEC and its partners announced that it would begin to ease production cuts for members in the fall. However, with oil prices in steep decline, the group just announced a pause in […]
Which President Was Best for Oil Drilling?
One of the most popular articles I have ever written is Average Gasoline Prices Under The Past Four Presidents. It has been used by people across the political spectrum to support different points. Republicans often […]
The Reality of the Energy Transition
I recently presented at Las Vegas MoneyShow on the energy transition. I was later interviewed on the topic on the Financial Sense podcast (link). This article highlights the major points made in that presentation and […]