Author: Erick Parel

Modern society runs on refined oil products. Can California keep ignoring reality?

Energy News Beat ENB Pub Note: This is a great article from America Outloud with Mike Ariza and Ronald Stein, and both have been on the Energy News Beat podcast. We recommend connecting with both great resources.  An energy “REALITY” reminder is that crude oil by itself is useless black tar, unless you build a […]

US Crude Refiners Are Pushing Run Rates to Maximum Levels: Safety Concerns, Maintenance Trade-offs, Export Boom, and Investor Implications

Energy News Beat US refiners are operating plants at elevated run rates, with some delaying scheduled maintenance amid strong refining margins and steady-to-robust fuel demand. According to a Bloomberg report from June 1, 2026, the industry saw one of its lightest maintenance seasons in recent memory, with an average of only 470,000 barrels per day […]

Turkey Is in Talks With Russia on Gas Supplies Beyond 2026

Energy News Beat Turkish state energy company BOTAŞ is engaged in negotiations with Russia’s Gazprom to extend natural gas supply contracts that are due to expire at the end of 2026. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed the discussions at the Baku Energy Forum in Azerbaijan on June 1, 2026, noting that volumes and contract […]

IEA 2026 Global Investments in Energy Report – What is the world spending on energy?

Energy News Beat A wild ride today with Irina Slav, David Blackmon, Dr. Tammy Nemeth and Stu Turley You don’t want to miss this episode of the Energy Realities podcast with Irina Slav, Dr. Tammy Nemeth, David Blackmon, and Stu Turley as they cover the latest global trends in investments in energy. The IEA has […]

Panama-Flagged Ship Hit in the Strait of Hormuz Region: Explosion Reported Near Iraqi Waters Amid Rising Tensions

Energy News Beat In a breaking maritime incident that has sent ripples through global shipping and energy markets, a Panama-flagged vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, triggering a large explosion in the Arabian Gulf. The event occurred just hours after Iran announced it was suspending talks with the US until the IDF withdraws from […]

Iran Threatens to Close Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Simultaneously: Oil Markets Face Unprecedented Dual Chokepoint Risk

Energy News Beat In a sharp escalation reported today, Iran has signaled its willingness to simultaneously blockade the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to Iran’s state outlet Tasnim, Tehran is halting indirect talks with the United States amid tensions over Lebanon and is preparing to “completely block” the Strait of Hormuz […]

Will China Step Up To Protect Its Access To Zambia’s Critical Minerals From The US?

Energy News Beat ENB Pub Note: Interesting article from Andrew Korybko’s Newsletter on SubStack. China could replace the US’ subsidization of Zambia’s healthcare industry to preempt it from obtaining influence over Zambia’s critical minerals one, but failing to act soon could lead to Zambia capitulating to the US’ demanded quid pro quo, thus threatening China’s […]

Resolution Copper Mine Aims to Boost Critical Mineral Supply

Energy News Beat As artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, data centers, renewable energy infrastructure, and grid modernization drive explosive demand for copper, the United States faces a critical minerals supply crunch. Domestic production has stagnated for decades, leaving America heavily reliant on imports from geopolitically risky sources. Enter the Resolution Copper Mine in Arizona—a joint venture […]

Oman Warns of Suspected Floating Mine in Hormuz, Reinforcing Shipping Industry Fears

Energy News Beat Oman’s Maritime Security Center (MSC) issued an urgent navigation warning on May 30 after a floating object suspected to be a naval mine was sighted in Omani territorial waters within the Strait of Hormuz. The alert, posted on the centre’s official X account, urges seafarers, fishermen, and commercial vessels to “exercise the […]

California Extends Its Key Climate Programs, Condemning the State to High Energy Prices

Energy News Beat On Friday, May 29, 2026, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved sweeping updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program (formerly Cap-and-Trade), extending California’s signature climate initiative through 2045. State regulators framed the changes as a balanced move to meet aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets while supporting affordability and preventing industry “leakage”—the exodus […]