In the U.S., coal demand has been on a downward trend for about 15 years. There have been three significant drivers behind this decline. One of the primary reasons for the decline in U.S. coal […]
Author: Robert Rapier
A Firsthand Account Of Phoenix’s Record-Breaking Heatwave
For the past decade, I have lived in Phoenix, Arizona. People sometimes ask what it’s like to live here. I tell them that it’s great from about mid-October to mid-April. We have very pleasant weather […]
Which Presidents Filled And Depleted The Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was established in December 1975 in the wake of the 1973 OPEC oil embargo. The law establishing the SPR said it was designed “to reduce the impact of severe […]
The Best Performing Energy Stocks Of Q2 2023
On June 30th the second quarter and first half of 2023 came to a close. The S&P 500 returned 8.3% for the quarter, but that performance was highly uneven. As in Q1, eight of 11 […]
Remembering John B. Goodenough: A Man Who Changed The World
I am sure many of us have entertained fantasies of making some remarkable discovery that changes the world for the better. For one reason or another, only a small percentage of people make an enormous […]
The Missing Titanic Submarine: Reasonable Risks Versus Recklessness
Like everyone else, I watched the news of the missing Titanic submarine with a mix of curiosity and horror. However, I also did so with a career of experience in designing and operating safe systems […]
The Challenges Of Making Fuel From Air
Every few years, a company announces that it is attempting to commercialize the production of fuel from air and water. To be clear, there are no technical barriers against doing this. Indeed, carbon can be […]
U.S. Oil Production Update
One of my 2023 energy predictions was that the U.S. would set a new annual oil production record this year. As we approach the midpoint of the year, this prediction is still tracking toward being […]
Nuclear Power Is A Viable Option For Replacing Coal
Over the past 15 years, the United States has undergone a significant transition away from coal-fired power plants. This transition is being driven by several factors, including environmental regulations, competition from natural gas, and the […]
Chevron’s Financial Discipline
On May 22, 2023, Chevron announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with PDC Energy, Inc. Chevron will acquire all of the outstanding shares of PDC in an all-stock transaction valued at $6.3 […]