Day: March 2, 2026

How Long Can China Survive After Losing Venezuela and Iraq’s Discounted Oil Supplies?

Energy News Beat In an increasingly volatile global energy landscape, China—the world’s largest oil importer—relies heavily on discounted crude from sanctioned or geopolitically unstable suppliers to fuel its economy. Venezuela and Iraq together provide a significant portion of these imports, often at below-market prices due to sanctions on Venezuelan oil and competitive pricing from Iraqi […]

Chevron Declares Force Majeure as Israel Shuts Leviathan Gas Field

Energy News Beat In a significant disruption to energy flows in the Eastern Mediterranean, Chevron has declared force majeure at Israel’s Leviathan natural gas field following a government-ordered temporary shutdown. The halt, prompted by heightened security risks amid joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent regional retaliations, marks the second such interruption in less than […]

Venezuela’s Crude Exports Double in February Under US Oversight

Energy News Beat In a remarkable turnaround for Venezuela’s beleaguered oil sector, crude exports surged in February 2026, doubling from January levels amid a U.S.-supervised deal that has reshaped the country’s energy trade. This development not only boosts volumes but also enhances revenue, marking a shift from the discounted, shadow-market sales that dominated under previous […]

Hormuz Dependency by Country: A Critical Energy Chokepoint Under Scrutiny

Energy News Beat The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains one of the world’s most vital energy arteries. In 2024, approximately 20 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil, condensate, and petroleum products transited this chokepoint, representing about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. […]

EQT, BlackRock Acquiring AES Corp in a $33.4 Billion Deal

Energy News Beat In a landmark transaction shaking up the utility and power generation sector, a consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and Swedish private equity firm EQT AB has agreed to acquire AES Corporation for $15 per share in cash. This deal values AES at a total equity of $10.7 billion and […]

Qatar Halts LNG Production, and the European and Asia Markets Respond

Energy News Beat In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, QatarEnergy, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, announced on March 2, 2026, a complete halt to its LNG production following Iranian drone strikes on key facilities. This decision, prompted by attacks on the Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial […]

Diesel, Gasoline, Jet Fuel, and Other Oil Products in Flux Amid the Iran Conflict

Energy News Beat The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, particularly affecting refined oil products like diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. As of March 2, 2026, the war—now in its third day—has led to sharp price surges, disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of […]