Not long ago, falling oil prices were widely celebrated in the United States. Cheaper gasoline meant more disposable income for consumers, lower transportation costs for businesses, and a boost to sectors that rely on oil […]
Author: Robert Rapier
Rising Demand, Steady Supply: The Growing Significance of U.S. Natural Gas
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently reported that U.S. natural gas consumption set new winter and summer consumption records in 2024, highlighting the growing importance of natural gas in the global energy mix. This […]
Q1 2025 Market Wrap: Energy Stocks Defy S&P 500 Downturn
The first quarter of 2025 ended on a challenging note for the financial markets, as the S&P 500 posted a 4.6% decline—its first quarterly loss since Q3 2023. The Dow and Nasdaq also declined in […]
White Hydrogen Emerges as a Contender in the Clean Energy Race
About 20 years ago, I was interviewing a candidate for a position at a major oil and gas company. On paper, they had impressive credentials, including extensive experience with hydrogen. Naturally, I asked what I […]
AI’s Power Problem: How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping the Energy Grid
For decades, U.S. electricity demand grew at a predictable, modest pace. Utilities could plan around gradual increases driven by population growth and economic activity. But that era is over. A dramatic shift is underway, one […]
Risks and Uncertainties Facing New LNG Projects On The U.S. Gulf And East Coasts
Major long-term capital investments require predictable profitability and stable capital costs. For the eight large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects proposed on the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, both of these factors appear increasingly uncertain. […]
Trump’s New Tariffs: A Crude Blow to U.S. Refiners and Consumers
President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and a 10% tariff on energy products from Canada have the potential to send ripples through the U.S. oil and gas market. These tariffs, […]
Why Natural Gas Prices Are Surging
Natural gas prices recently soared to their highest levels in two years, driven by a combination of extreme weather, supply constraints, record liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, and global demand pressures. This surge has significant […]
What Jon Stewart Got Wrong About Oil Company Subsidies
Let me state up front that I am a fan of Jon Stewart. I watched The Daily Show for years. He calls attention to many important issues, and he is a formidable debater. But Stewart […]
Why You Pay More for Gas in Summer – And Why It’s Necessary
Every summer, drivers across the U.S. experience a familiar frustration: rising gas prices. What many don’t realize is that part of this seasonal price increase stems from the switch to summer gasoline blends. This transition, […]