Valero Charges Forward with California Refinery Shutdown: Newsom\’s Net Zero \”Victory\” Accelerates the Exodus of Oil and Gas from the Golden State

In a move that underscores the relentless squeeze on California\’s fossil fuel industry, Valero Energy has confirmed it will proceed with shutting down its Benicia refinery by April 2026, despite last-ditch negotiations with state officials. The 145,000-barrel-per-day facility, a cornerstone of West Coast refining since 1968, falls victim to what Valero cites as an unforgiving […]

Continue Reading

Banks Predict $50 Oil on Ukraine Peace — But Can We Believe Them?

Daily Standup Top Stories Citi Says Russia-Ukraine De-escalation Could Impact Oil to $50, and Oil’s Surplus Is Here—But What’s the Real Story? October 19, 2025 Clark Savage In the volatile world of energy markets, headlines from major financial institutions like Citigroup often grab attention. Recently, Citi analysts suggested that a potential de-escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict […]

Continue Reading

How is China Holding Up Under the Trump Tariff Wars, and Can They Still Keep Buying Oil?

In the escalating trade tensions dubbed the \”Trump Tariff Wars,\” China finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. For decades, Beijing has navigated the global stage with a dual narrative: projecting itself as a rising superpower domestically while leveraging its \”developing country\” status abroad to secure subsidies, lower tariffs, and delayed international obligations. This strategy allowed […]

Continue Reading

Has Gavin Newsom\’s War on Oil and Gas Gone Too Far? Can He Recover in Time to Run for President?

California Governor Gavin Newsom has long positioned himself as a climate warrior, pushing aggressive policies to phase out fossil fuels in the Golden State. From banning new fracking permits to imposing setbacks on drilling near communities, his administration has waged what critics call a \”war\” on the oil and gas industry. But with gasoline prices […]

Continue Reading

Ukraine\’s Bombing of Russian Refineries is bad for the Environment

Ukraine\’s intensified bombing campaign against Russian refineries over the last month is creating a severe fuel crisis in Russia while simultaneously having negative repercussions for the environment. The crippled refining capacity is forcing Russia to import gasoline from distant Asian markets, amplifying CO2 emissions through longer transportation routes. This disruption also reverberates through global fuel […]

Continue Reading

Is Big Oil Back in Vogue?

Daily Standup Top Stories Why Advertisers Are Returning to Big Oil Despite Net-Zero Pledges September 27, 2025 Clark Savage ENB Pub Note: This is an excellent article from Irina Slav on Oilprice.com. While the title says advertisers are returning to big oil, I would add investors to the list. I have written several articles […] Chinese Lithium […]

Continue Reading