U.S. energy firms pulled back drilling activity for the second straight week, with the Baker Hughes rig count falling 9 rigs to 543 total active rigs for the week ending March 27, 2026. This marks the sharpest single-week decline since early 2026 and leaves the U.S. count down 49 rigs (8.3%) from the same week […]
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Energy News Beat Special Report – March 2026 Escalating conflicts have turned oil refineries into strategic targets worldwide. Ukrainian drone campaigns continue to hammer Russian facilities, while the 2026 Iran war (U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the Gulf) has triggered widespread damage to refineries, terminals, and related gas infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, […]
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Port Arthur, Texas — A powerful explosion rocked Valero Energy’s massive Port Arthur refinery on the evening of March 23, 2026, triggering a shelter-in-place order, a towering plume of black smoke visible for miles, and immediate operational disruptions at the 435,000-barrel-per-day facility. The blast occurred around 6:30 p.m. CDT. Residents across Port Arthur, Groves, and […]
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This is a fun discussion with John Calce, Founder and Chairman of Element Fuels and America First Refining. This podcast is hosted by Stu Turley, Energy News Beat Host, and David Blackmon is the host of the Energy Impacts Podcast. Don’t kid yourself, with the geopolitical issues around the world right now, this story […]
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In the vast landscape of American energy, few contrasts are as stark as that between Texas and California. One state embodies self-reliance and global leadership, producing far more energy than it consumes while bolstering the nation\’s security and economy. The other grapples with policy-driven shortages, relying heavily on imports to meet basic needs—often from unstable […]
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By Stuart Turley, Energy News Beat In a landmark announcement that underscores America\’s push toward energy dominance, President Donald J. Trump revealed on March 10, 2026, that America First Refining is set to open the first new oil refinery in the United States in nearly 50 years. Located at the Port of Brownsville in South […]
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In the latest weekly update from Baker Hughes, the US rig count has ticked higher, reaching 551 active rigs as of March 6, 2026. This marks a modest increase of 1 rig from the previous week\’s count of 550, signaling a potential rebound amid surging West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices. The rise comes against […]
Continue ReadingThis was a wild discussion of the current global oil and gas markets with David Blackmon and Stu Turley. We covered stories from Energy News Beat and David’s Substack. And a shout-out to Urs, one of our readers. We are looking forward to paying for dinner in Cuba. If you only have time for one […]
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A wild day on the Energy News Beat Stand Up, and we have a little fun at the expense of a dog and his rumba. Wind and Solar should have to have land reclamation and storage as part of their original projects. They are getting preferential treatment and pricing on the grid, yet they are […]
Continue ReadingIn the heart of Canada\’s oil country, a simmering discontent is boiling over. Albertans, often affectionately dubbed \”Snow Texans\” by their southern counterparts due to shared rugged individualism, cowboy culture, and deep roots in the oil and gas industry, are increasingly vocal about charting their own path. This isn\’t just barroom talk—recent developments, including a […]
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