Energy Policy, Oil & Gas Archives

U.S. Government Makes Claim for Venezuelan Oil And Sovereignty

8Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

U.S. Government Makes Claim for Venezuelan Oil And Sovereignty

Trump announces historic deal and claims Venezuelan oil. September 8, 2026—When the U.S. government announced an historic deal for tapping Venezuelan oil in August, the White House cheered it as a means to expand U.S. oil reserves while critics complained the deal smacked of 19th Century imperialism. The United States has long engaged with Venezuelan politics, aiming to push the country away from a communist economy towards an open, democratic society. What is clear today is that U.S. policy has shifted away from influencing Venezuelan politics toward a model of ownership, not only of the country’s natural resources but also its diplomatic standing with the rest of the world. The circumstances of the invasion and capture of natural resources leave observers questioning the legalit...

Energy Shock to Slow Growth and Raise Inflation, OECD Says

27Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Trade, Middle East, Types of News: Bit, Types of News: Brief

Energy Shock to Slow Growth and Raise Inflation, OECD Says

G20 Inflation to Climb to 4.0 Percent in 2026 March 27, 2026—The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned that rising energy prices and supply shocks due to war in the Middle East could increase global volatility and inflation. In a March report, Testing Resilience, the OECD said: “The evolving conflict in the Middle East has human and economic costs for the countries directly involved, and will test the resilience of the global economy. A halt in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and the closure or damage of energy infrastructure has generated a surge in energy prices and disrupted the global supply of energy and other important commodities, such as fertilisers.” Projections for growth vary widely by country. For example, the OECD predicts growth in th...

War Escalates as Israel Strikes World’s Largest Gas Field

18Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

War Escalates as Israel Strikes World’s Largest Gas Field

Iran Vowed to Retaliate Against Gulf Energy Sites March 18, 2026—The Israeli military struck the world’s largest natural gas field, the South Pars Field, which is shared between Iran and Qatar. Two senior Israeli officials confirmed responsibility for the strike, Axios reported. President Donald Trump posted early today on his family-owned Truth Social that “Remember, for all of those absolute “fools” out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR. We are rapidly putting them out of business!” It comes amid the “largest supply disruption” of the global oil market in history, according to the International Energy Agency. The price of oil jumped to $108.8 a barrel (Brent) and $99 (WTI). Iran vowed via the Tasmin News Agency, a semi-officia...

U.S. Allies and China Respond to US Request for Help with the Strait of Hormuz

17Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Allies and China Respond to US Request for Help with the Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz. Photo pulled from Vessel Finder March 17, 2026 March 17, 2026—As the US-Israel-Iran war impacted oil markets and a key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump called on other countries for help. Here's what they had to say. Near Closure The narrow strait, which runs between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and Oman, reflected “a highly constrained operating environment, with vessel movements remaining selective and below average,” Marine Traffic reported on Monday. Geopolitics kept the strait nearly closed on Monday. Many ships remained anchored in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Reports indicated a continued uneven pattern of traffic, with ongoing attacks against some ships, while “sanctioned and shadow-fleet vessels supporting a...

Trump Lifts Certain Russia-Related Oil Sanctions

13Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Bit, Types of News: Brief

Trump Lifts Certain Russia-Related Oil Sanctions

The License Allows Sales of Russian Oil Without Penalty Through Mid-April March 13, 2026—With oil supplies rocked by the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, the Trump administration lifted sanctions this week, allowing Russia to sell oil and petroleum products through April 11, 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the license issued would apply to “oil already in transit” and is intended to lower oil prices. “The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long-term,” he wrote on X. The General License 134 is available here: https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/935191/download?inline The U.S. government had already given India a 30-day waiver to buy Russian oil. That waiver came a...

Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights

26Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights

June 26, 2024—Nearly three years into reclaiming its rule over Afghanistan, the Taliban government is raising revenue auctioning mining rights to gems and critical minerals to the highest bidders. The Islamic Taliban government has struggled economically and diplomatically since it took control of the country in August 2021. But since the beginning, its leaders asserted they have their own sources of income. Notably, the land is rich in gold, gemstones, metals, oil and gas, and minerals. Mining Rights As Diplomacy The Financial Times examined 128 contract sites, finding that more than half are developed or expanded. The paper notes that auctioning of mineral and gem rights might help the government form relations with other governments and raise billions of dol...

Oil Prices Jump As Saudi Arabia And Russia Make Output Deal

19Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Oil Prices Jump As Saudi Arabia And Russia Make Output Deal

Photo by Johannes Havn on Pexels.com The Decision Indirectly Impacts Inflation, Interest Rates, And Russia's Brutal Assault On Ukraine September 19, 2023—As oil prices prop up inflation and the Russian war economy, policy decisions impacting oil are significant. So it matters when two of the world's largest oil-producing countries make a deal to restrict output to push up prices. The two countries are Saudi Arabia and Russia. As oil prices continue to rise so does the scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's decision to side with Russia. The Price of Oil This story starts with a look at the cost. The price of oil rose in August and again in September to $92 a barrel WTI (U.S.) and $95 a barrel Brent (British). On average, oil output from OPEC countries also jumped month-on-month by 6 perc...

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

2Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

November 1, 2022—A week away from the U.S. Midterm elections, inflation is grabbing the attention of voters and politicians alike. As Republicans play up the impact of rising prices and pin the blame on their opponents, Democrats point the finger at companies benefiting from higher prices. It doesn't take long for the focus to fall on energy companies, specifically those earning profit from the high price of oil on global markets. That's precisely the play President Joe Biden pulled from his playbook on Monday. "In a difficult time, Americans across the country have stepped up, and they — to do the right thing. But not everyone has stepped up," Biden said. "The oil industry has not — has not met its commitment to invest in America and support the American people. One by one, major o...

Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food

13Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food

October 13, 2022—On the sidelines of a conference in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed trade of Russian grain and fertilizer and plans for Russia to run nuclear plans in Turkey. Energy Deals In addition to the nuclear deals in Turkey, they also discussed transporting Russian gas through Turkey via its ferry system. Putin said Turkey is "the most reliable route to deliver gas to the European Union," according to various news sources that quoted the Kremlin. He added that the hub in Turkey would be a "platform not only for supplies, but also for determining the price." Turkey To Transport Grain And Fertilizer Erdogan said facilitating trade of grain and fertilizer from Russia to other countries is of...

11Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

ESG And GOP Don’t Mix

State treasurers from GOP-led states say ESG investing harms fossil fuel industries. US Republican Treasurers Withdraw $1 Billion From BlackRock Funds October 11, 2022—State treasurers from Republican-led states of Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah aren't buying into BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's idea of the power of capitalism to make the world a better place. In fact, they are pulling their state's funds from BlackRock funds altogether. The state GOP treasurers say they oppose BlackRock's position on prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in investment decisions. "Corporate America is now at war with the states that make their living in the fossil fuel business," said John Schroder, Louisiana State Treasurer, during a podcast interview with ...