Energy

Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel after the US ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against Iran, threatening one-fifth of global oil flows. The dollar strengthened on safe-haven demand as energy markets and central banks from Canada to the US face conflicting policy pressures from the escalating crisis.

U.S. defense procurement rules banning Chinese rare earths take effect January 2027, forcing global automakers to restructure EV battery supply chains while simultaneously meeting EU Battery Passport transparency requirements. The nine-month timeline is driving manufacturers toward industry conferences to identify alternative suppliers across allied nations.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade has severed 20 million barrels per day from global markets—20% of world oil supply—in the largest disruption ever recorded. WTI crude surged March 6 as US-Iran tensions escalated, with Washington planning a four-to-five-week military operation. Asian economies face immediate supply risks while energy-importing nations brace for inflationary pressures.

Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has removed 20 million barrels per day from global markets, the largest oil supply disruption in history. The closure of the critical shipping lane through which one-fifth of the world's petroleum passes has sent crude prices surging and forced central banks worldwide to reassess inflation strategies. The US has indicated a four-to-five-week military campaign timeline.

A blockade in the Strait of Hormuz has severed 20 million barrels per day from global markets, the largest oil supply disruption ever recorded. WTI crude prices surged as the US signals a four-to-five-week military response to reopen the waterway that handles 21% of the world's petroleum trade.

India's Ministry of Coal is advancing 100 new coal facilities while renewable energy costs have dropped 90% globally since 2010, creating $80 billion in potential stranded asset exposure. Solar and wind now cost $0.02-0.03 per kWh in India versus coal's $0.05-0.07, mirroring global trends that have led China, the US, and EU to cancel coal projects. The move concentrates financial risk in India's banking system as international lenders withdraw.

Britain plans a 15-18MW floating offshore wind project called Aikido for December 2028, part of its 50GW offshore wind goal by 2030. The UK ranks third globally in offshore wind capacity behind China and Germany, with 14GW operational in 2025. Floating turbine technology unlocks 80% of previously inaccessible deepwater sites across European seas.

SLB will return over $4 billion to shareholders in 2026 following Q4 margin expansion driven by digital revenue across its international operations. The Houston-based oilfield services giant raised its dividend as cash flow strengthened from working capital improvements and digital transformation investments that outperformed traditional services globally.

Air Products will deconsolidate its NEOM green hydrogen joint venture when the $8.4 billion facility starts operations by mid-2027. The accounting shift removes project debt from the US industrial gas supplier's books while maintaining its 33.3% stake in what will be one of the world's largest green hydrogen plants.

Shell will begin water injection at its Kaikias field in January 2028 to sustain production as reservoir pressure declines, joining a global trend where oil majors prioritize extracting more from existing fields over risky new exploration. The deepwater Gulf of Mexico project can extend production by 3-5 years and recover an additional 10-20% of reserves, mirroring secondary recovery strategies deployed by Equinor in the North Sea and Petrobras offshore Brazil.

MPLX LP will bring two natural gas processing plants online in the Permian Basin between late 2026 and 2028, adding 500 million cubic feet per day of capacity. The expansion targets America's fastest-growing shale region as global gas markets face oversupply and weakening prices. The facilities will process raw gas and extract natural gas liquids as U.S. production reshapes international energy trade flows.

Marathon Petroleum has locked in full output from two Gulf Coast fractionators processing 150,000 barrels per day each, set to operate between 2028-2029. The deal secures feedstock for Marathon's operations while Asian petrochemical expansion drives 3-4% annual ethylene capacity growth through 2030, much of it dependent on U.S. natural gas liquid exports.

Alliance Resource Partners holds $1.8 billion in long-term debt as coal retirements accelerate across its four-state US footprint, mirroring the global shift away from coal. Renewable costs fell 90% for solar and 70% for wind since 2010 while battery storage doubled annually from 2022-2025. The MLP's distribution-dependent structure faces stranded asset risk as Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia phase out coal generation.

Brazil's Petrobras has committed $109 billion to pre-salt deepwater projects through 2030, but faces catastrophic asset write-downs if the global energy transition accelerates faster than IEA projections. Deepwater breakeven costs of $40-60 per barrel leave the state oil giant exposed as cheaper onshore producers dominate in a demand-constrained world.