ExxonMobil and Chevron Post Huge Profit and Revenue: Implications for Consumers and Investors

In the second quarter of 2026, ExxonMobil and Chevron delivered blockbuster earnings, fueled by elevated oil prices stemming from the ongoing Iran conflict and associated supply disruptions in the Middle East, including pressures around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea. These results highlight the resilience of the U.S. majors’ integrated portfolios amid geopolitical volatility, […]

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The Misconception of California’s Lower Demand for Gasoline and Diesel Sparks Debate

California’s energy debate often rests on a convenient narrative: gasoline and diesel demand is falling, so aging refineries can—and should—simply close. A recent CalMatters commentary by Ranjit Deshmukh, an environmental studies associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, advances exactly this view. Titled in essence “Aging oil refineries don’t need more public dollars. California should let […]

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US Crude Oil Inventories Decreased by 7.2 mb to 404.5 mb

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Weekly Petroleum Status Report on July 29, 2026, covering the week ending July 24, 2026. Commercial crude oil inventories (excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) fell by 7.2 million barrels (precisely 7.167 million barrels) to 404.5 million barrels. This marked a sharp draw that far exceeded market expectations […]

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Expand Energy Buys Twin Eagle to Gain Market Access in $1.25B Deal

  Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE), North America’s largest natural gas producer, announced on July 27, 2026, that it has agreed to acquire Twin Eagle Holdings, N.A., LLC, a leading private asset-backed natural gas marketing and optimization business, for $1.25 billion from Five Point Infrastructure. The deal, subject to customary adjustments, closing conditions, and regulatory […]

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German Industry Warns Energy-Price Shock is Crippling Investment and Growth

German companies are delaying investments and increasingly eyeing production moves abroad as stubbornly high energy costs erode competitiveness, according to the latest survey from the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). The findings, highlighted in a July 27, 2026 Bloomberg report drawing on the DIHK’s Energiewende Barometer 2026, underscore deepening structural pressures from Germany’s […]

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Over 100°F Heat Adding Stress to the AI-laden Grid

Back-to-back heat waves sweeping the United States are pushing electricity grids to a tipping point, as temperatures topping 100°F (38°C) drive households to max out air conditioners while a surge in around-the-clock demand from AI data centers and factories shrinks power reserves and strains decades-old transmission equipment. This is emerging as the new normal for […]

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