Two Indian-flagged ships carrying Iraqi oil were struck. What does this mean for the oil, gas and LNG markets?

In a sharp escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, two Indian-flagged vessels—one a VLCC supertanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude—were fired upon by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026. The ships, identified as the Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, were forced to […]

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Oil Tankers and Traffic Test Hormuz Reopening

In a significant development for global energy markets, Iran announced today that the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” to commercial shipping for the remainder of the fragile ceasefire period tied to the Lebanon truce. The announcement, made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, comes amid ongoing U.S. naval restrictions on vessels calling at […]

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Where are Oil and LNG Prices Heading? What are the second order impacts for consumers and investors?

The global energy markets are in flux as of mid-April 2026, shaped by severe disruptions from the ongoing Middle East conflict (centered on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz). This has curtailed roughly 7–10 mb/d of crude, NGLs, and refined product exports in March–April, triggering sharp price spikes and inventory draws. Brent crude averaged $103/bbl […]

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The Shale Revolution Hits the Road

The U.S. shale revolution didn’t just transform American energy—it created a blueprint the rest of the world now wants to copy. After two decades of explosive growth that made the United States the world’s top oil and gas producer, the playbook of horizontal drilling, multi-stage fracking, and relentless cost-cutting is crossing borders. Energy security, once […]

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Australia Hits “Critical Energy Implosion”: Geelong Refinery Fire Exposes the Fragility of Net Zero Policies

Australia’s energy security is under unprecedented strain. A major fire at one of the nation’s last two oil refineries has thrust the country’s deepening fuel vulnerability into the spotlight, underscoring how decades of Net Zero-driven policies have transformed a once self-reliant energy powerhouse into a heavily import-dependent nation. On the night of April 15, 2026, […]

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Eni Says It Is Time to Suspend the Ban on Russian Gas

In a striking intervention that challenges Europe’s long-standing energy decoupling strategy, Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Italy’s state-backed energy giant Eni, has publicly urged the European Union to suspend its upcoming ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Speaking at a political event organized by Italy’s Lega party, Descalzi stated: “I think that it is necessary […]

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