By Stuart Turley, Energy News Beat January 29, 2026 – Truth Social posts from President Trump can certainly rattle markets, but when U.S. aircraft carrier task forces deploy to the Persian Gulf, that\’s when traders sit up and take notice. This morning, Brent crude surged past the $70 per barrel mark for the first time […]
Continue ReadingAs geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, the arrival of U.S. warships near Iranian waters has sent ripples through global energy markets. President Donald Trump\’s administration has bolstered its military presence, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, amid threats of potential strikes against Iran following recent unrest and proxy conflicts. This buildup, […]
Continue ReadingIran’s crude production is expected to remain stable near 3.2 million bpd, with protests posing limited short-term risk to upstream operations. Heavy discounting to China and costly sanctions-evading logistics mean Iran captures only about two-thirds of benchmark oil prices. Chronic underinvestment, late-life fields, and the near depletion of the National Development Fund are undermining the […]
Continue ReadingIn the ever-volatile world of oil markets, few voices carry as much weight as that of Harold Hamm, the billionaire wildcatter and founder of Continental Resources. As oil prices hover in the low $50s to $60s per barrel amid global oversupply and weakening demand, Hamm has made headlines with his stark assessment: there\’s simply no […]
Continue ReadingIn a bold and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has reshaped the global oil landscape by orchestrating the U.S. takeover of Venezuela\’s oil sector following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. This January 2026 intervention not only marked the end of Maduro\’s regime but also positioned the United States as the direct manager of […]
Continue ReadingAs we kick off 2026, the commodities market is heating up with oil, gold, and silver all posting gains amid a cocktail of geopolitical risks, supply constraints, and economic uncertainties. I do not think this will end up being a new Christmas Carol, \”Silver, Oil and Gold\”, but rather the return to comedies is a […]
Continue ReadingAs we kick off 2026, the global oil landscape is a whirlwind of geopolitical maneuvers, supply gluts, and shifting alliances. With Brent crude hovering around $59 per barrel and a projected surplus of 1-3.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) looming large, markets are bracing for volatility. Non-OPEC production surges, OPEC+ unwinding voluntary cuts, and fresh […]
Continue ReadingIn the volatile landscape of global energy, few scenarios carry as much potential for disruption as political upheaval in a major oil-producing nation. As of January 2026, Iran remains a key player in the oil market despite ongoing U.S. sanctions, exporting around 1.5 to 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude oil. This represents […]
Continue ReadingThe seizure of the Marinera challenges the legal and practical value of Russia’s effort to shield shadow fleet vessels through rapid reflagging. U.S. actions signal a tougher, more expansive approach to enforcing oil sanctions against Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. The incident risks further diplomatic fallout with Moscow amid already strained negotiations over Ukraine and global […]
Continue ReadingThe global energy landscape has long been shadowed by the so-called \”shadow fleet\”—a network of aging, often poorly maintained tankers that evade international sanctions to transport oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela. These vessels, frequently operating under opaque ownership and false flags, have allowed sanctioned regimes to […]
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