Diamondback Energy’s new Midland Basin wells’ results are rising, not sputtering out. SM Energy’s Midland results are overcoming the E&P’s “science-heavy” spell.

In the heart of the Midland Basin, two pure-play Permian operators are delivering a clear message in mid-2026: well productivity is holding up—and in key cases improving—amid ongoing efficiency gains across the broader Permian. Recent Hart Energy/Oil and Gas Investor analysis highlights Diamondback Energy’s (FANG) new Midland Basin wells showing a strong rebound in early […]

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How much would America save at the pump if we got rid of ethanol?

Stu Turley, Energy News Beat Podcast Host, recently highlighted a long-standing debate over ethanol-blended gasoline. After filling up with 89-octane fuel containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) and driving 349 miles, the vehicle averaged 17.4 miles per gallon—well below its typical 22–24 mpg. Switching to ethanol-free gasoline restored performance to 22.3 mpg almost immediately. The […]

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Texas data center pause puts 20% of US pipeline at risk of delay: BNEF

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive pausing new data center interconnections to the ERCOT grid has placed nearly one-fifth of the entire U.S. data center development pipeline at risk of delays, according to analysis from BloombergNEF (BNEF). The move, announced August 3, 2026, requires a comprehensive audit of energy use, water consumption, financing, ownership, and community […]

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US Weekly Rig Count Up Slightly

The latest WellDatabase US Rig Report (dated August 7, 2026) shows the national active rig count rising modestly by 3 week-over-week to 583, up 42 from the same period a year earlier. Oil-directed rigs accounted for the bulk of activity at 427 (+1), with gas-directed rigs holding steady at 127 and smaller contributions from thermal […]

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ConocoPhillips Announces Q2 2026 Earnings: Strong Beat on Higher Prices Amid Production Dip and Leadership Transition

Houston-based ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), the largest U.S. independent oil and gas producer, reported second-quarter 2026 results on August 6, 2026, that beat Wall Street expectations. Higher commodity prices more than offset a year-over-year decline in production, driving sharp gains in earnings and cash flow. The company also reaffirmed full-year guidance, doubled share repurchases, achieved a […]

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Hormuz Crisis Is Rewriting the Global LPG Trade

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the 2026 Iran-related conflict has fundamentally altered global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trade flows. Middle Eastern exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran slowed sharply as tanker traffic collapsed and infrastructure faced risks or attacks. Before the escalation, roughly 54 oil, chemical, and LPG […]

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WSJ Reports Battery Energy Storage Systems Are Moving to Scale. But What Are the Hidden Catches?

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted how battery energy storage systems (BESS) are shifting from niche applications to meaningful scale in the United States, with residential deployments accelerating particularly fast. Companies like Base Power are installing home batteries at a rapid clip, and broader market data confirm strong growth in both utility-scale and behind-the-meter segments. […]

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US Oil and Refined Products Inventories Down

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories rose last week, but Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) draws and sharp declines in key refined products left overall oil and product stocks tighter, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Weekly Petroleum Status Report released today for the week ending July 31, 2026. Key Inventory Highlights (Week Ending July 31, […]

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