In a significant move to bolster energy security amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Japan’s JERA — the world’s largest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) — has secured a landmark 20-year supply contract with Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas. The deal, announced today following high-level talks between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Malaysian […]
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U.S. crude oil and petroleum product exports have hit unprecedented levels in recent weeks, even as the Biden-era Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) continues to be drawn down at a record pace to help stabilize global markets amid ongoing disruptions from the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz blockade. According to the latest data, total […]
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China’s power sector delivered a clear reminder in April 2026 that even the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy giant still leans heavily on coal when the wind doesn’t blow or nuclear plants go offline for maintenance. According to data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, thermal power generation (overwhelmingly coal, with a smaller share of natural […]
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ENB Pub Note: Interesting Article from Andrew Korybko’s Newsletter on Substack. We recommend following him. The Sino-Russo Entente might evolve into a de facto alliance if South Korea and Japan join AUKUS+, the US’ de facto “Asian NATO”, but that risks spooking India into a de facto alliance with the US to counterbalance perceived Chinese […]
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In a notable development for global energy markets still reeling from disruptions in the Persian Gulf, a Japan-bound crude oil tanker has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, identified as the Eneos Endeavor and owned by Japanese refiner Eneos, is the second Japan-bound tanker to clear the critical chokepoint since U.S. and Israeli […]
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As the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran disrupts key Middle East energy routes and chokes global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, Asia’s top LNG importers are turning back to coal to keep the lights on. Spot LNG prices have roughly doubled, while Asian LNG imports have fallen sharply—the biggest drop since 2022—prompting utilities across the region […]
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What a wild day on the News Desk. President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran started lobbing drones and missiles around. Bagdad Bob showed up in Iran and claimed that they hit a US ship, but they did not. It will be interesting to see what […]
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In a one-two punch that is sending shockwaves through global energy markets, the United Arab Emirates has exited OPEC and OPEC+ — and is now openly discussing a currency swap line with the United States. The moves come at a moment of historic turmoil: an ongoing Iran war has disrupted oil flows through the Strait […]
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A Russian tanker carrying crude oil from the Sakhalin-2 project is set to arrive in Japan today, marking a notable development in the country’s efforts to secure energy supplies amid ongoing disruptions in the Middle East. The cargo is destined for Taiyo Oil’s refinery in Ehime Prefecture and represents the latest step by Japan to […]
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A record armada of crude oil tankers is steaming toward the U.S. Gulf Coast in April 2026. Maritime intelligence from Windward shows roughly 171 crude tankers en route—well above the typical monthly average of about 110. Market data firm Kpler reports that 28 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), each capable of hauling up to 2 […]
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