Oil Prices Hold as Markets Realign to Supply and Demand in 2026

As we close out 2025, oil prices are holding steady amid a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, sanctions enforcement, and shifting supply-demand dynamics. Brent crude is trading around $62.46 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sits at approximately $58.48, both benchmarks reflecting modest gains of about 0.13% and 0.17% respectively in recent sessions. This […]

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Trump Administration Intercepts a Second Tanker in Venezuela Oil Tanker Blockade – Update US Is Said to Board Third Tanker Off Venezuela as Tensions Mount

In a bold escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the Trump administration has intercepted a second oil tanker amid an ongoing blockade aimed at crippling the Maduro regime\’s oil exports. On December 20, 2025, the US Coast Guard seized the supertanker named Centuries in the Caribbean Sea, shortly after it departed from […]

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JAPEX Buys U.S.-Owned Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings for $1.3 Billion

In a strategic move underscoring the importance of global energy diversification, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (JAPEX) has acquired Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings LLC (VRIH) for approximately $1.3 billion. This deal highlights a key principle we\’ve long championed at The Energy News Beat Channel: energy security starts at home. But when domestic resources are limited—as […]

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Global Oil Demand to Increase Over the Next 15 Years: What Does This Mean for Investors?

In a world increasingly focused on energy transitions and geopolitical tensions, recent projections paint a picture of sustained growth in global oil demand. According to a report from the CNPC Economics and Technology Research Institute, global oil demand is expected to continue rising until peaking in 2040 at 4.8 billion tons, marking a significant upward […]

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The Oil and Gas Global Markets Update with Wasif Latif, Co-Founder, President and CFO of Sarmaya Partners

Wasif Latif, Co-Founder, President & Chief Investment Officer at Sarmaya Partners, stops by the Energy News Beat and Energy Impacts Podcasts – With Stu Turley, and David Blackmon for an in-depth look at the global oil and gas financial markets. 1. The performance and investment strategy of the Sarmaya Partners ETF called “Lens”. Wasif Latif, […]

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Venezuela is at the Core of the Monroe Doctrine, and What is at Stake

The Monroe Doctrine, first articulated in 1823, has long served as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, asserting American influence over the Western Hemisphere and warning against external interference. Today, Venezuela stands at the heart of this doctrine\’s modern application, embodying a high-stakes battle over resources, sovereignty, and global power dynamics. With the United States\’ […]

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