US refinery utilization at 8 year high; commercial oil stocks at 8 year low, SPR at 43 year low, total oil supplies at 42 year low

US refinery utilization rate is the highest since September 2018; commercial supplies of crude oil are the lowest since September 2018; the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at the lowest level since March 1983; total of all US oil supplies are the lowest since March 1984

US oil prices fell for the first time in four weeks after Trump halted attacks on Iran after being advised that the U.S. arsenal of necessary weaponry was nearly depleted…after rising 9.2% to $89.31 a barrel last week after Yemen’s ‘Houthis’ announced they were closing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to Saudi shipping and attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, leading other tankers to turn back, the contract price for the benchmark US light sweet crude for September delivery plunged over 8% on Australian and Asian markets early Monday, as a weekend pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran raised hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough that could restore normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and was still down by 7% in London at midday, continuing to react to Iran and America pausing their tit-for-tat attacks following a fortnight of steadily escalating violence, and was similarly down more than 6% Monday morning in New York after Iran announced that it would not carry out any further strikes for as long as the U.S. holds its fire, and settled $6.70 or 7.5% lower at $82.61 a barrel, even after Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reported drone attacks, and after Iran’s Houthis said they targeted the East-West Pipeline carrying oil to Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port of Yanbu….oil prices continued to trend lower in early Asian trading on Tuesday, as a fourth night passed without any attacks from either Iran or the United States, and eventually dropped 5% to a two week low on cautious hopes for a resolution to the Iran war, as traders assessed developments in the Middle East, and continued to ease in US trading on revived peace talk optimism as the pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran entered its fourth day, and ended the session $3.35 or 4% lower at $79.26 a barrel on hopes for a resolution to the U.S.-Iran war….however, oil prices climbed 5% on global markets on Wednesday, following a report from the U.S. military that it had intercepted an Iranian "surprise attack" on its forces, and responded with strikes against the Islamic Republic, and were later up by around seven per cent as the US-Iran war continued to rage on after President Trump pledged to hit back at Iran amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, then jumped more than 6% Wednesday morning in New York after U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces launched strikes on Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, who allegedly had attacked Saudi oil infrastructure, and held that spike after the EIA reported a big draw on the SPR and commercial oil supplies, with Cushing stocks stuck at 'Tank Bottoms', and settled $5.20 or 6.6% higher at $84.46 a barrel as airstrikes resumed in the Middle East, adding to worries ‌about dwindling supplies, as U.S. government data showed domestic crude inventories fell to a multi-year low…oil prices climbed sharply across global markets on Thursday as escalating military tensions in the Middle East heightened concerns over potential disruptions to energy supplies, while traders also weighed the possibility that diplomatic efforts could eventually ease the conflict and restore stability to one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, then moved lower as Iran and Oman exchanged proposals for an agreement on the management of the Strait of Hormuz, then held steady in early New York trading as an escalating and widening conflict in the Middle East supported prices, which settled 87 cents lower at $83.59 a barrel, as traders digested proposed plans for a Saudi Arabia-led maritime coalition to boost defense cooperation around the Red Sea….oil prices edged lower on Friday as markets assessed the impact of renewed US-Iran military tensions against reports that oil shipments through key maritime routes were continuing, then climbed sharply after Iranian state media reported that the country had attacked two oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world's most critical energy shipping lanes. and settled $1.13 higher at $84.72 a barrel as concerns over global crude flows mounted on Iranian reports that some tankers were forced to turn ‌back in the Strait of Hormuz, thus finishing July trading more than 20% higher, but still ending 5.1% lower for the week…

meanwhile, natural gas prices finished lower for a fifth straight week despite a ​h​otter forecast, on record production and more than adequate inventories…after falling 1.4% to $2.871 per mmBTU last week on cooler forecasts, strong production, weak LNG demand, and plenty of gas in storage, the price of the benchmark natural gas contract for August delivery opened 9.7 cents lower on Monday, and traded along either side of $2.775 through midday, as the situation with Iran and strong production over-shadowed cooling demand, and settled 10.4 cents lower at $2.767 per mmBTU on record output, lower flows to LNG export plants, and ample amounts of gas in storage…natural gas prices opened 4.3 cents lower on Tuesday and again​continued to trend lower, as market fundamentals remained bearish and the August contract expiration weighed in, and settled 10.5 cents lower at $2.662 per mmBTU as traders continued unwinding the August contract ahead of Wednesday's expiration, as softer near-term demand expectations and resilient supply outweighed forecasts for hotter weather in early August…the August contract opened 1.9 cents lower on its last day of trading Wednesday, then traded cautiously higher throughout the session amid new forecasts for short-term cooling demand to return, and expired 6.3 cents higher at $2.725 per mmBTU, while the more actively traded benchmark natural gas contract for September delivery settled 2.1 cents higher at $2.722 per mmBTU…with markets now citing that September natural gas contact as the front month, prices opened 2.5 cents lower on Thursday, but quickly erased the overnight losses to jump 4.5 cents following the bullish injection report, and settled 3.6 cents higher at $2.758 per mmBTU after the US Energy Information Administration reported a smaller-than-expected storage injection, even as traders remained cautious amid comfortable inventories and robust production…natural gas futures probed modestly higher in early Friday trading as the market assessed Thursday’s bullish storage data and impressive heat forecast throughout much of the next two weeks, then seesawed into late morning trading as traders juxtaposed a lean storage print and forecasts for solid weather demand against elevated levels of total supply, and settled 1.1 cents lower at $2.747 per mmBTU as traders looked beyond Thursday's smaller-than-expected US Energy Information Administration (EIA) storage injection, refocusing on elevated production, softer LNG export demand and a mixed weather outlook….natural gas prices thus finished 4.3% lower on the week, while the benchmark natural gas contract for September delivery, which had finished the prior week at $2.888, ended 4.9% lower

The EIA’s natural gas storage report for the week ending July 24th indicated that the amount of working natural gas held in underground storage rose by 28 billion cubic feet to 3,084 billion cubic feet by the end of the week, which left our natural gas supplies 32 billion cubic feet, or 1.0% below the 3,116 billion cubic feet of gas that were in storage on July 24th of last year, but 185 billion cubic feet, or 6.4% above the five-year average of 2,899 billion cubic feet of natural gas that had typically been in working storage as of the 24th of July over the most recent five years….the 28 billion cubic foot injection into natural gas storage for the cited week was less than the 35 billion cubic foot injection into storage that the market had been expecting ahead of the report, and it was less than the 44 billion cubic foot of gas that were injected into natural gas storage during the corresponding week of 2025, but was a bit more than the average 26 billion cubic foot injection into natural gas storage that had been typical for the same late July week over the past five years…

The Latest US Oil Supply and Disposition Data from the EIA

US oil data from the US Energy Information Administration for the week ending July 24th showed that after increases in our refinery throughput and in our oil exports, we needed to pull oil out of our stored crude supplies for a record fourteenth consecutive week, and for the 36th time in sixty-one weeks,. a​s an increase in demand ​for oil that the EIA could not account for also lowered supplies…. Our imports of crude oil fell by an average of 124,000 barrels per day to average 5,683,000 barrels per day, after rising by an average of 117,000 barrels per day during the prior week, while our exports of crude oil rose by an average of 114,000 barrels per day to average 3,467,000 barrels per day, which, when used to offset our imports, meant that the net of our trade of oil worked out to an import average of 2,216,000 barrels of oil per day during the week ending July 24th, an average of 238,000 fewer barrels per day than the net of our imports minus our exports during the prior week... At the same time, transfers to our oil supplies from Alaskan gas liquids, from natural gasoline, from condensate, and from unfinished oils averaged 2,000 barrels per day less than the prior week at 226,000 barrels per day, while during the same week, production of crude from US wells was 2,000 barrels per day lower at 13,796,000 barrels per day.  Hence, our daily supply of oil from the net of our international trade in oil, from transfers, and from domestic well production appears to have averaged a total of 16,238,000 barrels per day during the July 24th reporting week…

Meanwhile, US oil refineries reported they were processing an average of 17,336,000 barrels of crude per day during the week ending July 24th, an average of 271,000 more barrels per day than the amount of oil that our refineries reported they were processing during the prior week, while over the same period, the EIA’s surveys indicated that an average of 1,566,000 barrels of oil per day were being pulled out of the supplies of oil stored in the US… So, based on all that reported & estimated data, the crude oil figures provided by the EIA appear to indicate that our total working supply of oil from storage, from net imports, from transfers, and from oilfield production during the week ending July 24th averaged a rounded 468,000 more barrels per day than what our oil refineries reported they used during the week.  To account for the difference between the apparent supply of oil and the apparent disposition of it, the EIA just plugged a [ -468,000 ] barrel per day figure onto line 16 of the weekly U.S. Petroleum Balance Sheet, in order to make the reported data for the supply of oil and for the consumption of it balance out, a fudge factor that they label in their footnotes as “unaccounted for crude oil”, thus indicating there must have been a error or omission of that amount in the week’s oil supply & demand figures that we have just transcribed.... Moreover, since 150,000 barrels per day of oil supply could not be accounted for in the prior week’s EIA data, that means there was a 618,000 barrel per day difference between this week’s oil balance sheet error and the EIA’s crude oil balance sheet error from a week ago, and hence the changes to supply and demand from that week to this one that are indicated by this week’s report are somehow off by that much, and therefore pretty useless.... However, since most oil traders react to to the figures in these weekly EIA reports as if they were gospel, and since these weekly figures therefore often drive oil pricing and hence decisions to drill or complete oil wells, we’ll continue to report this data just as it’s published, and just as it’s watched & believed to be reasonably reliable by most everyone in the industry…(for more on how this weekly oil data is gathered, and the possible reasons for that “unaccounted for” oil supply, see this EIA explainer….also see this March 2023 twitter thread from an EIA administrator addressing these ongoing weekly errors, and what they had once hoped to do about it).

This week’s 1,566,000 barrel per day average decrease in our overall crude oil inventories came as an average of 1,024,000 barrels per day were being pulled out of our commercially available stocks of crude oil, leaving them at a 94 month low, while 542,000 barrels per day were being pulled out of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the eighteenth consecutive Iran war related withdrawal from the SPR, including the four largest draws in SPR history, which left the SPR level at 307,650,000 barrels, the lowest since it was initially being filled in March 1983​....with both commercial oil and the SPR both at long term lows, that left the Total of all US Oil Supplies at 712,158​,000 barrels, down from 870,774​,000 barrels on April 17th, and the lowest since March 30th, 1984….After those recent draws on the SPR and on commercial supplies, and with total fuel inventories tracking near multi-year lows, our Total Supplies of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products, including the SPR, fell by 7,500,000 barrels to 1,526,350,000 barrels during the week ending July 24th, after oour total supplies had fallen to a 23 year low three weeks earlier….

Further details from the weekly Petroleum Status Report (pdf) indicated that the 4 week average of our oil imports rose to 5,702,000 barrels per day last week, which was 6.9 less than the 6,126,000 barrel per day average that we were importing over the same four-week period last year, while the four week average of our exports fell to 3,451,000 barrels per day last week, which was still 7.6% more than the 3,207,000 barrel per day average that we were exporting last year year at this time... This week’s crude oil production was reported to be 2,000 barrels per day lower at 13,796,000 barrels per day as the EIA’s estimate of the output from wells in the lower 48 states was unchanged at 13,376,000 barrels per day, while Alaska’s oil production was 2,000 barrels per day lower at 420,000 barrels per day...US crude oil production had reached a pre-pandemic high of 13,100,000 barrels per day during the week ending March 13th 2020, so this week’s reported oil production figure was 5.3% higher than that of our pre-pandemic production peak, and was also 42.2% above the pandemic low of 9,700,000 barrels per day that US oil production had fallen to during the third week of February of 2021.

US oil refineries were operating at 97.2% of their capacity while processing those 17,336,000 barrels of crude per day during the week ending July 24th, up from 96.1% the prior week, and the highest refinery utilization rate since September 2018….the 17,336,000 barrels of oil per day that were refined that week were 2.5% more than the 16,911,000 barrels of crude that were being processed daily during the week ending July 25th of 2025, and were also, coincidentally, 2.5% more than the 16,991,000 barrels that were being refined during the pre-pandemic week ending July 26th, 2019, when our refinery utilization rate was at 93.0%, which was a bit below the pre-pandemic normal utilization rate for this time of year…

With the increase in the amount of oil that was being refined this week, gasoline output from our refineries was also higher, increasing by 178,000 barrels per day to 9,878,000 barrels per day during the week ending July 24th, after our refineries’ gasoline output had increased by 60,000 barrels per day during the prior week... This week’s gasoline production was 1.6% lower than the 10,042,000 barrels of gasoline that were being produced daily over the week ending July 25th of last year, and 5.2% less than the gasoline production of 10,416,000 barrels per day seen during the prepandemic week ending July 26th, 2019….at the same time, our refineries’ production of distillate fuels (diesel fuel and heat oil) increased by 15,000 barrels per day to  5,364,000 barrels per day, after our distillates output had increased by 90,000 barrels per day during the prior week.  With those increases, our distillates output was 3.0% more than the 5,209,000 barrels of distillates that were being produced daily during the week ending July 25th of 2025, and 3.9% more than the 5,164,000 barrels of distillates that were being produced daily during the pre-pandemic week ending July 26th, 2019....

With this week’s increase in our gasoline production, our supplies of gasoline in storage at the end of the week rose for the 5th time in twenty-four weeks, but only by 7,000 barrels to 211,301,000 barrels during the week ending July 24th, after our gasoline inventories had increased by 765,000 barrels during the prior week.  Our gasoline supplies increased by less this week because the amount of gasoline supplied to US users rose by 94,000 barrels per day to  9,041,000 barrels per day, and because our exports of gasoline rose by 83,000 barrels per day to 890,000 barrels per day, while our imports of gasoline rose by 165,000 barrels per day to 659,000 barrels per day … But after fifty gasoline inventory withdrawals over the past seventy-five weeks, our gasoline supplies were 7.5% lower than last July 25th’s gasoline inventories of 228,405,000 barrels, and about 7% below the five year average of our gasoline supplies for this time of year…

After this week’s increase in distillates production, our supplies of distillates rose for the sixteenth time in twenty-six weeks, increasing by 1,062,000 barrels to 110,632,000 barrels during the week ending July 24th, after our distillates supplies had increased by 1,395,000 barrels during the prior week... Our distillates supplies rose again this week because the amount of distillates supplied to US markets, an indicator of domestic demand, fell by 194,000 to 3,524,000 barrels per day, and even though our exports of distillates rose by 182,000 barrels per day to 1,786,000 barrels per day, while our imports of distillates fell by 75,000 barrels per day to 98,000 barrels per day... After 31 additions to distillates inventories over the past 56 weeks, our distillates supplies at the end of the week were 2.6% lower than the 113,536,000 barrels of distillates that we had in storage on July 25th of 2025, and they were still about 10% below the five year average of our distillates inventories for this time of the year…

Finally, after the increases in our oil exports and in our oil refining, our commercial supplies of crude oil in storage fell for the 14th time in twenty-six weeks, and for the 26th time over the past year, decreasing by 7,167,000 barrels over the week, from 411,675,000 barrels on July 17th to a 94 month low of 404,508,000 barrels on July 24th, after our commercial crude supplies had increased by 1,692,000  barrels over the prior week….After this week’s decrease, our commercial crude oil inventories were still about 6% below the recent five-year average of commercial oil supplies for this time of year, while they were about 16% above the average of our available crude oil stocks as of the fourth weekend of July over the 5 years at the beginning of the past decade, with the difference between those comparisons arising because it wasn’t until early 2015 that our oil inventories had first topped 400 million barrels. After our commercial crude oil inventories had jumped to record highs during the Covid lockdowns in the Spring of 2020, then jumped again after February 2021’s winter storm Uri froze off US Gulf Coast refining, but then fell sharply due to increased exports to Europe following the onset of the Ukraine war, only to jump again following the Christmas 2022 refinery freeze-offs, changes in our commercial crude supplies had been less extreme up until the onset of the Iran war, when they were initially built up to a three year high by mid-April...However, after falling sharply over the past three months, our commercial crude oil inventories as of this July 24th were 5.2% below the 426,691,000 barrels of oil we had in commercial storage on July 25th of 2025, and were 6.6% less than the 433,049,000 barrels of oil that we had in storage on July 26th of 2024, and 8.0% less than the 439,771,000 barrels of oil we had left in commercial storage on July 28th of 2023…

This Week's Rig Count

The US rig count was up by one over the week ending July 31st, as the number of rigs targeting oil was up by one, while the count of rigs targeting natural gas and miscellaneous rigs were both unchanged…for a quick snapshot of this week's rig count, we are again including below a screenshot of the rig count summary table from Baker Hughes...in the table below, the first column shows the active rig count as of July 31st, the second column shows the change in the number of working rigs between last week’s count (July 24th) and this week’s (July 31st) count, the third column shows last week’s July 24th active rig count, the 4th column shows the change between the number of rigs running on Friday and the number running on the Friday of the same week of a year ago, and the 5th column shows the number of rigs that were drilling at the end of that reporting period a year ago, which in this week’s case was Friday, the 1st of August, 2025…

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Ohio’s Park System at Risk from Fracking - Ohio has been named the best state park system in the nation, with 76 state parks covering 170,000 acres and drawing 55 million visitors annually saveohioparks.org. This reputation is central to the state’s identity and economy, generating about $20 billion in annual economic value saveohioparks.org.However, the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission has approved fracking on nearly 15,000 acres of public land, including large portions of Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, Jockey Hollow Wildlife Area, and Salt Fork State Park Spectrum News. Save Ohio Parks, a statewide advocacy group, argues that these decisions undermine the state’s environmental and recreational legacy.Save Ohio Parks says that in every fracking nomination for state parks or wildlife areas, overwhelmingly negative public comments—often thousands of them—have been ignored, while only a handful favor drilling Yahoo+1. They describe the commission meetings as “unreachable” and “adjourned before half an hour,” and note that approvals have been made regardless of public sentiment Yahoo.In 2025, the parks budget was $52 million. In 2026, it was cut in half, with the remaining $26 million to be taken from the Oil and Gas Fund—the source of lease payments from fracking operations Yahoo+1. This shift means funds once used for special projects now cover basic operations, staff, and maintenance. Save Ohio Parks argues the state could instead ask wealthy residents to pay more, rather than funding parks through public land leases.Save Ohio Parks warns that fracking uses 40–60 million gallons of fresh water from creeks, streams, and lakes, mixes it with toxic chemicals, and injects it deep underground Spectrum News. They cite studies linking proximity to fracking to higher risks of leukemia and other health issues in children Spectrum News. They also note that methane from fracking is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, The group’s message is clear: Ohio can still have the best park system without drilling under it. They call for the commission to reverse approvals, protect public lands, and fund parks through alternative means Yahoo+1. The debate is not just about energy production—it’s about preserving a state treasure for future generations.

Ohio has nation's best park system. We're angry fracking will change that | Opinion - The Columbus Dispatch - Mark Gavin Sr. -In his recent guest column, Ohio Oil and Gas Association President Rob Brundrett says Ohioans deserve a debate grounded in facts, science and respectful conversation.On that, Save Ohio Parks certainly agrees. So, let's have that conversation, starting with the facts his column left out. First, Save Ohio Parks does not condone personal attacks on anyone, including members of the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission. But Brundrett's column neglects to acknowledge that things start to get personal when people are fighting for their homes, clean water and clean air.The frustration on display at these meetings is a product of fear, anger and grief. It was built on 10,000 ignored comments, an unreachable commission and being treated like criminals at meetings that tend to adjourn before they reach half an hour in duration.The facts don't lie.Check any fracking nomination at a state park or wildlife area on the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission site and you will find the comments are overwhelmingly against fracking our public lands. Out of thousands of comments, barely a dozen favor it.The commission approved the leases anyway. It has approved nomination after nomination. If a public process always produces the same results no matter what the public says, it has stopped being a process and has become a ceremony. People noticed, and they're understandably upset. In 2025, the parks budget was $52 million. The 2026 state budget cut that in half and told the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to pull the other $26 million from the Oil and Gas Fund, where fracking lease payments go.Money that once paid for special improvement projects now covers basic operations, staff and maintenance. Ohio could fund its parks by asking wealthy residents to pay their fair share. Instead, this Legislature cut their taxes with the flat tax and promised to make up the difference by fracking our public lands.He also mentions that Ohio was recently named the best state park system in America.We are proud of that too. Our parks can still be the best in the nation without drilling under them.On the contrary, fracking our parks degrades them by industrializing the area around them, creating air, light and noise pollution, and converting tens of millions of gallons of fresh water into toxic and radioactive waste.I agree with Rob on something: These resources belong to all Ohioans. Public lands are public assets. Outdoor recreation generated $20 billion in Ohio in 2024. That is due in large part to our renowned parks. Fracking them puts that industry, and our recreation, at risk.So why are the companies that nominate them for fracking kept secret until a bid is awarded?Why does this commission meet in the middle of the workday in Columbus at the Department of Public Safety office, in a room flanked by Ohio State Highway Patrol officers? If commissioners cared about what the most affected Ohioans thought about these nominations, they would hold their meetings in places like Guernsey County, where folks who live around Salt Fork State Park deal with truck traffic, around-the-clock noise and light pollution, and explosions.The oil and gas industry has every right to make its case. So do the thousands of Ohioans who have made theirs, respectfully and persistently, for three years. Only one side of this debate has been ignored. So here is our idea: Hold the next commission hearing in Guernsey County, Belmont County or Columbiana County. Hold it in the evening, when working people can attend. Let them give public testimony. Let commissioners sit with the Ohioans whose homes are on the line, and let the public judge for itself who is bringing facts to this conversation.Our parks belong to all of us. We will keep showing up for Ohio. We hope the commissioners will at some point as well.

‘Like a bomb’: Explosion felt for miles, Canton home leveled  (WJW) — Canton firefighters said a natural gas explosion injured two people early Thursday, July 30. Witnesses told FOX 8 News that the sound of an explosion at 1617 Bonnot Place NE, woke them up shortly before 4 a.m. on Thursday. Canton Fire Division Chief Steve Henderson told FOX 8 News the explosion could be felt 2 miles away. Canton firefighters released video of the moment it happened. A nearby resident also captured the explosion on security camera footage, as seen below. Video courtesy of Dalton Thompson YouTube. Henderson said the home was already destroyed when firefighters arrived. The blast was so powerful, it blew one man into the street. Canton Fire said he was taken to the hospital with burns to 80% of his body. That man told firefighters about another victim in the home, who was not found after an extensive search of the debris field. According to Canton Fire, that man was later found in a home on 15th Street Northeast. Canton Fire said the second victim will need specialized treatment for burn injuries. Both were transported to the Burn Center at Akron Children’s Hospital, according to the update. “It was a big boom like a bomb or missile was going off. It actually shattered some of my neighbor’s windows even and shook my whole house,” said Victor Howell, who shared video of the scene. SkyFOX video over the neighborhood showed a massive debris field around the home. Canton firefighters told FOX 8 News at least five additional houses were damaged, and multiple residents were displaced. American Red Cross assisted the victims at the scene, according to the release.. Canton For All People is helping them find hotels and long-term housing support. Refuge of Hope is helping them get personal items and clothing. The city’s Building Code Department has assessed the surrounding properties and is working with contactors to demolish those deemed unsafe, according to the update. The home where the explosion happened was empty and on sale at the time, according to Canton Fire. Click here to see the home listing. Canton Fire reported the explosion also took down multiple power lines, causing additional hazards for first responders and residents. “For your safety, we strongly ask all residents to avoid the area due to debris, and to keep the area clear to allow crews to safely complete their work,” reads the update.

Home explosions are raising alarming questions. What's happening under Northeast Ohio's streets? - — One house explodes, and it’s a tragedy. Two explosions in six weeks, combined with a string of gas line strikes across Northeast Ohio, start to look like something else entirely.That was the unsettling conclusion on Friday’s episode of Today in Ohio, where the hosts questioned whether a region-wide surge in construction is exposing dangerous weaknesses in the maze of aging utility lines buried beneath Northeast Ohio.The latest incident unfolded in Canton, where surveillance video captured a house disappearing in a massive fireball within seconds. The blast left one victim with burns over 80% of their body after being thrown into the street. The other occupant was found an astonishing distance from what had once been the home. Miraculously, both survived.Ordinarily, the hosts said, it would be viewed as a horrific but isolated accident.“I mean, if this had happened a year ago, we usually kind of chalk this up as just a terrible accident or a one-off,” host Leila Atassi said. “But this is the second explosion in our area this summer.”That’s what made the conversation feel different.The Canton explosion came just weeks after another devastating house explosion in Northeast Ohio. And beyond those headline-grabbing disasters is a growing list of gas line strikes that, with only slightly different circumstances, could have ended the same way. In Orange Village alone, three gas lines were struck during a waterline project over the past three weeks. In Summit County, six excavation-related gas line strikes were reported between August 2025 and April. Every one of those incidents raises the same question: How is this still happening?The primary safeguard is the 811 “Call Before You Dig” system, which requires contractors to notify utilities before excavation begins so underground lines can be marked. But the hosts noted that the system depends on something many communities don’t have: accurate records of what’s actually buried underground.“There are lots of lines and pipes underground. We’ve been putting them underground for 200 years,” 811 spokesman Jamie Gillen told cleveland.com, explaining that maps are often incomplete, outdated or fail to account for privately installed utility lines.Even when crews follow the rules, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll find everything.“You know, they have the rules about digging. You’d think that the people who do that are expert and understand what’s going on. But I’m shocked that no one has died,” Laura Johnston said.The timing only heightens the concern. Northeast Ohio is experiencing a wave of infrastructure work, with roads being rebuilt, water mains replaced, fiber-optic lines installed and new developments breaking ground across the region. Every project requires digging through layers of infrastructure that, in many places, date back generations.This week’s strike in Orange Village illustrates the challenge. Crews hit a long-abandoned gas line that once served a shopping center but had long since been taken out of service. No one realized it was still underground.To the hosts, that wasn’t just an oddity. It was a warning.As more construction projects begin simultaneously across the region, they argued, local officials need to stop treating each explosion or gas line strike as an isolated event and instead confront the possibility that Northeast Ohio has a larger problem lurking beneath its streets. Listen to the full discussion here.

What the Twinsburg explosion revealed about Northeast Ohio's buried utilities — When firefighters arrived at a home in Twinsburg Township on June 26 after residents reported smelling natural gas, they had only minutes to work. They began evacuating homes and securing the neighborhood. Then the house exploded. The blast, triggered when a fiber-optic excavation project went catastrophically wrong, destroyed three homes, damaged at least 36 others and shook neighborhoods across Northeast Ohio. Just two people suffered minor injuries — an outcome Twinsburg Fire Chief Earl Wilson later called “a miracle.” The explosion also prompted a question many residents had never considered before: How does a gas line get hit in the first place? The answer lies beneath streets, sidewalks, and front yards across Northeast Ohio, where an unprecedented wave of underground fiber-optic construction is weaving through decades-old utility infrastructure. Fire department records reviewed by cleveland.com document at least six excavation-related gas-line strikes in Macedonia, Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills between August 2025 and April 2026. None approached the destruction seen in Twinsburg Township, but together they illustrate the growing challenges contractors face as governments and private companies expand underground fiber networks throughout the region. State investigators have not determined what caused the Twinsburg explosion or whether excavation practices, utility locating, damaged infrastructure or another factor played a role. But interviews with utility officials, county leaders, local administrators, and contractors reveal a complicated system designed to prevent underground accidents — one that becomes more critical as construction accelerates. Two fiber projects, one underground landscape Much of the recent construction has come from two separate efforts to improve connectivity in the region. One is Summit Connects, Summit County’s public project to build a dedicated fiber network linking police departments, fire departments, city halls, and other government facilities in all 31 communities. The other consists of private telecommunications companies expanding residential broadband service. Although both involve underground construction, they serve different purposes. “It’s just the Summit Connects piece of this is an initiative by the county to install public fiber that interconnects all 31 communities,” Brian Nelson, chief of staff to Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, told cleveland.com. “So, it really just goes from city hall to city hall, to city hall, interconnecting all the communities in the county to create a governmental network.” Nelson said the county’s network is intended to strengthen emergency communications, support future technologies such as smart traffic signals and create a shared communications backbone for local governments. The project is nearing completion, with only a few miles of drilling remaining. Weekly project updates show crews performing directional drilling, conduit installation and fiber installation simultaneously across Summit County while communities that already have that infrastructure in place await final fiber installation. The updates also remind residents not to remove yellow utility locator flags marking underground infrastructure. Meanwhile, private companies continue installing fiber service for homes and businesses throughout the county. “Everybody’s getting away from copper and going to fiber,” Northfield Center Trustee Rich Reville said. Every underground project starts with the same requirement. Before excavating, contractors generally must contact Ohio811, the state’s call-before-you-dig notification system. Ohio811 notifies utilities serving the area, and each utility is responsible for marking its own underground infrastructure before excavation begins. Stephanie Moore, a spokeswoman for Enbridge Gas Ohio, said the company has seen an increase in both requests for utility markings and damaged gas lines as underground construction activity has expanded. Nelson said Summit Connects added another layer of protection beyond standard locating procedures. After encountering difficulties locating aging underground utilities early in construction, the county hired a contractor to use ground-penetrating radar and sonar to locate the utilities on their own before requesting official utility markings. In some locations, crews also excavated test trenches to verify utility locations before drilling. Even with multiple safeguards, underground construction remains unpredictable. Many gas, water and sewer lines were installed decades ago, and locating every utility isn’t always straightforward. Tim Black, Northfield Center’s director of services, said a method known as directional boring, or horizontal directional drilling, minimizes disruption because contractors can install conduit beneath roads and driveways without excavating long trenches. “The reason why they bore is so that they don’t have to interrupt everything on the surface,” Black said. “But when you’re going underground blindly, you’re going to hit stuff.” Oversight of underground construction is divided among utilities, Ohio811, local governments and state regulators. Local governments generally issue permits for work in public rights of way but have limited authority to stop utility projects once they are underway. The Twinsburg explosion did not occur in isolation. Fire department records document multiple excavation-related gas leaks in northeast Summit County over the past year. The largest before Twinsburg occurred on Firebush Lane in Northfield Center, where a 2 Guys LLC contractor’s truck struck a high-pressure gas main when installing conduits to place fiber optics April 16, forcing evacuations until Enbridge crews secured the line. Another strike occurred days later on Brookfield Lane. Earlier incidents also occurred in Sagamore Hills and Northfield Center.Once a gas line is struck, the excavator calls 911. Firefighters and police secure the area while Enbridge crews stop the flow of natural gas, make the area safe and begin repairs. Fire departments determine whether evacuations are necessary and remain responsible for public safety.Moore said Enbridge conducts emergency training with fire departments throughout Ohio and invests more than $1 million annually in safe-digging education for contractors, homeowners and first responders.

Construction crew hits gas line for second time in local community - (WJW) – After several hours, the all-clear was given following a natural gas leak at a construction site at the border of Solon and the village of Orange Wednesday morning. A Solon police source told FOX 8 that the construction stretches along Miles Road from where it started near Naiman Parkway and will continue west until the work to replace the water main is completed near Harper Road. Wednesday morning, an Enbridge gas pipeline was struck near Miles and Brainard roads. “A construction crew working on Miles Road hit an Enbridge Gas pipeline, resulting in a leak. Enbridge Gas Ohio crews responded. “Made the area safe and completed repairs. There was no impact to customers,” a spokesperson for the company said. It was the second time a gas line was struck during the project. Exactly two weeks prior, the same thing happened back near Naiman Parkway on July 15. As a precaution, power was shut off to the area and a shelter-in-place order was initiated. It also hindered traffic in the area. “First of all, I couldn’t find my way here because everything was blocked off and I had to walk down Brainard about a quarter of a mile,” Allen Clark said. Clark is the manager at Rite Dry Cleaners in Solon. He told FOX 8 the loss of power and everything else that came with the gas leak was a nuisance for everyone in the area. “It’s very inconvenient for the business and customers as well because when the power is out, they have to come back for something they could’ve done the first time,” he said. “Hurry up and get the work done so we can get back to our normal lives.” He added that natural gas leaks can pose serious danger for everyone in the area. “It’s frightening,” Clark said. “When you think of the extremes and what could happen, it’s just unnerving. FOX 8 previously reported that State Senator Casey Weinstein was working on legislation to make digging and drilling safer after a gas line was struck and a massive explosion ensued in Twinsburg Township in late June. Weinstein said on Wednesday that the outline of the bill is complete, but it won’t be presented at the statehouse until the PUCO investigation into the Twinsburg Township incident is completed in order to include the findings in the bill.

Repairs made to 'gas line issue' along Brecksville Road in Independence, road reopens | wkyc.com - — Independence police report that repairs have been made to the "gas line issue" that caused a shelter-in-place on Friday.  The gas line issue closed traffic in the area of Brecksville Road between Rockside and Granger roads while crews worked at the scene.  Police announced the shelter-in-place at approximately 12:10 p.m. in a post on Facebook, adding that power to that area would be turned off until the issue was resolved.  No additional details were immediately available.

REX Waste Heat Now Powers Univ. of Dayton – Let’s Do More of This! - Marcellus Drilling News -  Back in March we told you Tallgrass was bolting waste-heat-to-power gear onto three Rockies Express (REX) compressor stations in Ohio and Indiana (see Rockies Express Compressor Stations Turn Waste Heat into Power). Those three were the sequel. Yesterday we got word the original is now up and running. Tallgrass, Kanin Energy, AES Ohio, and the University of Dayton announced that a waste-heat recovery system tied to the REX compressor station at Washington Court House (Fayette County), Ohio, is now generating electricity — enough to cover 100% of the university’s power needs under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA). The system is expected to crank out roughly 78,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) a year, trim about 55,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, and cut UD’s carbon footprint by 71%. Construction started in October 2024 and wrapped up in early 2026

TE Compressor Trips Offline in Ohio While FERC Weighs Replacement - Marcellus Drilling News - We periodically go pipeline-notice hunting to see what’s throttling Marcellus/Utica molecules on any given day (see Up to 8% of M-U Molecules Currently Restricted Due to Pipe Issues). This morning’s sweep through PipeRiv — the free clearinghouse that aggregates critical notices from nearly every interstate pipeline in the country — turned up something with a nice bit of timing attached. The affected pipes include Texas Eastern, Iroquois Gas Transmission, and National Fuel Gas.

DTM 2Q: OH Data Center Deal, Gathering Expansion, Millennium Upside - Marcellus Drilling News -  Detroit-based DT Midstream (DTM) reported second quarter 2026 results this week, and while the headline numbers were fine but unremarkable, the Appalachian news buried in the deck is worth your attention. DTM booked net income of $112 million ($1.09 per diluted share) and adjusted EBITDA of $305 million, declared a $0.88 per share dividend, and reaffirmed full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.155–$1.225 billion. Fine. Now here’s the part that matters if you own minerals in Belmont County or run a rig crew in Susquehanna County: DTM just signed up a new 380 MMcf/d interconnect on the NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline that will feed a gas-fired power plant serving a new data center in Ohio — and it’s expanding its Appalachia Gathering System by 100 MMcf/d to shove more supply into NEXUS and Texas Eastern.

Nvidia considers $250bn backstop for OpenAI's planned 10GW Ohio data center – report - Nvidia is in talks to provide a $250 billion backstop for a planned OpenAI data center in southern Ohio. The SoftBank facility could cost more than $500bn, consume 10GW, and be the largest ever data center. Its first phase is expected in 2028, at around 800MW.The Wall Street Journal reports that Nvidia’s backing would allow SoftBank to raise debt at more favorable terms, making the facility more viable.The project was first announced this March on Department of Energy land, currently home to a decommissioned uranium-enrichment site. SoftBank subsidiary SB Energy is set to build 10GW of new power generation, including 9.2GW of natural gas generation, to power the facility. OpenAI is also an SB Energy investor.As part of a broader trade deal, Japan agreed to invest $33 billion in the natural-gas power project operated by SB Energy. The US government will reportedly pay SB Energy to operate the project, one of the people said. Japan and the US will split the power sales until Japan recovers its investment, after which the American government will get 90 percent of the revenue, the WSJ reports.Under the Nvidia backstop deal, which is still under negotiations, the GPU giant would guarantee a series of financing vehicles behind the project. The guarantees would focus on the data center buildout and lease, and not the purchase of the chips set to go into the site.Nvidia has invested $30bn into OpenAI, and is separately in talks to help finance as much as $350bn in chip sales to the company.As the costs of deploying AI at scale continue to grow, Nvidia has increasingly moved to back its customers. The company has been in talks to guarantee a number of OpenAI loans since last year, has backed $860m in lease obligations for an undisclosed partner's data center, and has signed a $1.5bn deal to lease its GPUs back from Lambda.This month, the company announced that it would rent back unused GPUs at a fixed rate from neoclouds, with Firmus and Sharon AI signing on.Google has similarly backstopped loans for Fluidstack lease obligations, with the neocloud set to deploy Google TPUs.

Nvidia is in talks to back OpenAI's Ohio data center with $250 billion in financing - Nvidia is in talks to provide a roughly $250 billion financial backstop for OpenAI as part of a massive data center project in southern Ohio, according to The Wall Street Journal. The backstop would enable OpenAI to lease a 10-gigawatt facility that SB Energy, SoftBank's power subsidiary, is building in southern Ohio. The project is sited on a decommissioned uranium-enrichment facility roughly 50 miles south of Columbus, and the full cost — including chips — could exceed $500 billion, making it the largest data center project announced to date.The proposed arrangement would have Nvidia stand behind a set of financing instruments designed to reassure lenders about the solidity of the project's funding. Such backing is needed partly because OpenAI has not yet turned a profit and therefore cannot obtain an investment-grade credit rating on its own. Terms have not been finalized and the deal could fall apart.Under the terms being discussed, the $250 billion commitment would apply to the lease and construction financing, leaving the cost of the chips themselves outside its scope. In a parallel negotiation, Nvidia is also in talks to help fund OpenAI's acquisition of chips, a figure the Journal said could reach $350 billion. Nvidia has already invested $30 billion in OpenAI.The power for the project is controlled by the U.S. government and funded separately by Japan under a recent trade deal. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is involved in deciding which companies will receive access to that power. In March, Secretary Lutnick, SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright broke ground on the complex.Japan agreed to invest $33 billion in a natural-gas power project on the federal land as part of its commitment to invest in the U.S. in exchange for lower tariffs. The two countries would share proceeds from power sales until Japan recovers its outlay, at which point Washington's share would rise to 90 percent.The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2028 with around 800 megawatts of power. At full scale, the campus would require roughly 10 gigawatts of electricity. OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google  have all spoken with Secretary Lutnick about the site.The Ohio project would mark OpenAI's first time leasing a data center directly, reducing its dependence on cloud providers such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle. OpenAI has raised its projected spending on computing infrastructure to around $750 billion through 2030, up from roughly $600 billion earlier this year. The company separately announced plans to build its first wholly owned data center in Effingham County, Georgia, committing $20 billion to that project.

AEP to upgrade for data center at A-Plant site --  AEP Ohio representatives plan to upgrade the power grid in Pike, Jackson and Gallia counties. This project requires regulatory approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB). The OPSB process requires public engagement and outreach to residents in the project area. The project involves:

• Building Baku Substation in Pike County off Wakefield Mound Road.
• Building about 50 miles of 765-kilovolt transmission line between Baku Substation and Gavin Substation, located in Cheshire near Highway 554.

The proposed additions to the power grid are needed serve a data center campus planned for the site of the former gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon, Ohio. The customer is committed to paying for the transmission investments needed to serve the site to help avoid increases to transmission rates for Ohio residents. Your community benefits from the project through tax revenues generated from construction, job creation, and an increase in future electric capacity. Additional electric capacity creates an opportunity for growth and community development in southern Ohio. After reviewing results of field surveys, public meetings in May and incorporating public feedback, officials have determined a preferred line route. Company representatives plan to file a survey corridor for the preferred route with OPSB that extends beyond the anticipated right-of-way to comply with OPSB rules. The company plans to build the line within the acquired right-of-way. If adjustments are needed outside the acquired right-of-way, agents will work with landowners accordingly.

Data centers have become a political issue. Here's where the Ohio governor candidates stand. - The frontrunners for Ohio governor both want to regulate data centers but have different plans for how to address growing concerns. It’s one of the most controversial topics this year: data centers and their rapid expansion in Ohio. “I think we need a leader who just doesn’t say, ‘Hey, open it up, and it’s a free-for-all,’ or a leader who says that they ban it because ‘I don’t understand it,'” Republican nominee for governor Vivek Ramaswamy said in a town hall event in Strongsville last week. Ramaswamy explained that the state needs more data centers in order to store and process data. Previously, Ramaswamy said a total ban would be bad for the economy. During recent events in Northeast Ohio over the past week, Ramaswamy laid out his plan for regulating the tech hubs. “Attract and use and require the use of the best technology that requires only two restaurants’ worth of water rather than 3% of the water supply of a city,” he said after an attendee asked about data centers polluting water. He emphasized that he wanted to protect agriculture and the water supply. Much of the criticism against data centers is mainly due to environmental and energy usage concerns, which Ramaswamy said he understands. “If you’re going to use a whole bunch of energy as a demand user, a hyperscaler, you should bring at least the energy that you’re using,” the Republican said. Democratic candidates Amy Acton and her running mate, David Pepper, went further into detail, taking a hard-line position on data center energy usage. “Nobody should have to pay a dollar more on anything because the data centers are moving in,” Pepper said in an interview. “That should be an absolute baseline, red line of guardrail by the state of Ohio for any future developments.” He said that energy costs, infrastructure, or any tax costs associated with the tech hubs should not fall to Ohioans. On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a voluntary pledge for data centers to pay their own way. On day one, Pepper said he and Acton will work to put in place major changes, addressing concerns over transparency and safety, as companies frequently ask public officials to sign non-disclosure agreements. “No more NDAs, no more secrecy, no draining the water tank table, no polluting,” the Democrat said. Recently, there was bipartisan outrage over the Ohio EPA’s plan to allow data centers to discharge wastewater into some bodies of water. “Ohio families shouldn’t have to worry about the quality of their air, their water or the health of their communities because a billion-dollar company wants fewer rules,” Acton said in a post on X. Also fueling data center opposition are reports that tax breaks handed out by the state have reached $1.6 billion. “They need to be reined in as well,” Pepper said. Ramaswamy said tax incentives shouldn’t be given to companies using outdated technology. “We should not be given state incentives to bring something here that guzzles water and drives up electric bills,” he said. “The modern versions of that are actually being built today take less water.” Lawmakers attempted to pass legislation reducing those tax breaks, but weren’t able to get it across the finish line before summer recess. Libertarian candidate Don Kissick is “against data centers,” his website says. “Data centers are not just warehouses for computers — they are becoming part of a growing surveillance infrastructure that concentrates unprecedented amounts of personal data and power in the hands of government agencies and large corporations,” Kissick said on his campaign website. He wants to have more transparency in the process as a whole. “These facilities consume massive amounts of electricity and water, contribute to environmental concerns through energy use and electronic waste, and are increasingly being built on productive farmland that should remain available for food production and local communities,” he wrote.

Democrat running for Ohio governor calls for conditional moratorium on new data centers -  Ohio’s Democratic candidate for governor, Amy Acton, has a message for data centers that want to come into Ohio: you must meet certain conditions before being allowed to build here. Data centers have been lauded as a clean industry with good-paying jobs. But as they proliferated in Ohio, they came under scrutiny, with swaths of farmland being bought up to build them. Critics blamed their massive energy needs for straining utilities, resulting in higher rates for Ohioans. Acton said Monday she supports a conditional moratorium on new data centers. “Costs are too high, and Ohio families and businesses need protection from data centers driving up costs. Ohio is open for business, but we are not up for sale. If you do not meet these conditions, we do not want you in Ohio," Acton said in a statement. Acton’s running mate, David Pepper, detailed those conditions in an interview, saying they include using 100% union labor to build the data centers. Unions have expressed support for data center construction. Pepper said other conditions include meeting environmental standards, signing community benefit agreements, and ensuring data centers cover all of their utility costs. “No one should be paying more because a data center came to town,” Pepper said. He said ideally, those centers would bring their own energy source so costs can actually decrease. He also said the centers must be transparent, with no non-disclosure agreements. Where Acton’s opponent stands on data centers Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has been supportive of data centers, and has also said data centers should take care of their energy needs, including using nuclear energy. His spokesman, Evan Machan, criticized Acton for her comments. “Vivek has spent more than a year taking tough questions from Ohioans on this issue, while Amy Acton has spent months in hiding,” Machan said in a written statement. “She finally spoke up, only to parrot ideas Vivek has shared for months and pretend it’s new. Let’s see if the media falls for it.”   Ramaswamy has been endorsed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which has advocated for data centers in Ohio. He’s also received sizable financial contributions to his campaign coffers from data-center-linked companies. A new analysis from the left-leaning think tank Innovation Ohio shows Ramaswamy will benefit from data centers since his financial disclosure reveals a personal investment portfolio that includes parts of the data center supply chain: chip manufacturers, hardware suppliers, real estate developers, and tech companies that operate data centers. “We’ve got AI data centers moving to our state. That’s a good thing. It’s a good thing,” Ramaswamy said in a video his account posted on X in March 2025. “I want the sectors of the future to come here, but that will make a level of demand on our electric grid of a kind that we have not seen in the history of our state.”  Ohio's next governor will have sway in data center development by appointing members to the board of directors of JobsOhio, the private, non-profit company that provides incentives to companies siting operations in Ohio. The new governor also appoints one member of the Ohio Power Siting Board, which approves energy infrastructure projects, and will appoint five members of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which regulates utilities.

Acton backs data center moratorium; Ramaswamy wants more built - Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton said Monday she would support a conditional moratorium on data centers in Ohio, keeping new facilities out of the state unless they cover their full utility costs, are built exclusively with union labor and go up on former industrial land instead of farmland.“As governor, I will take immediate action and support a conditional moratorium on data centers to ensure they cover one hundred percent of their utility costs, exclusively build with union labor, operate with full transparency, adhere to Ohio’s environmental standards, support the needs of local communities, and bring jobs to former industrial areas that have been left behind,” Acton said in a statement released by her campaign. “Costs are too high, and Ohio families and businesses need protection from data centers driving up costs. Ohio is open for business, but we are not up for sale. If you do not meet these conditions, we do not want you in Ohio.”The announcement puts the Democratic nominee closer to the position taken by a string of Ohio communities — Tiffin among them — that have paused data center development while the state works out who pays for the electricity, water and infrastructure the facilities consume.According to the campaign, Acton would require data centers and their investors to cover the full cost of the gas, water and electricity they use rather than shifting it to taxpayers or ratepayers, to invest in their own generation, and to demonstrate that a project would not raise electricity prices or degrade regional reliability. The campaign said low-cost, carbon-free and net-zero energy paired with storage would get priority.The remaining conditions, as described by the campaign, would require that construction, maintenance, operation and upgrades be performed by union workers trained in Ohio; that Ohio’s long-term tax incentives be reined in and paired with clawback provisions; that nondisclosure agreements and the secrecy surrounding site negotiations end; that new facilities be built on brownfields and previously developed industrial sites rather than farmland or the centers of communities; and that air quality and groundwater standards not be loosened for the industry.The release did not say how Acton would put a moratorium in place — through legislation, executive action, or the state boards a governor appoints. Ohio’s governor names the members of the Ohio Power Siting Board, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, the panels that site, regulate and subsidize these projects.The announcement is an escalation of a position Acton has held since spring. Her ActOn Costs Agenda, released April 6, called for guardrails rather than a bar to entry: data centers paying their own energy costs, union labor on the job, and restoration of the energy efficiency and renewable standards gutted by House Bill 6. Monday’s statement keeps those demands and attaches a consequence for companies that will not meet them.Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has made data center growth central to his campaign and has rejected the idea of a ban. At a town hall in Strongsville this month, he framed the choice as one between two failures of leadership.“I think we need a leader who just doesn’t say, ‘Hey, open it up, and it’s a free-for-all,’ or a leader who says that they ban it because ‘I don’t understand it,’” Ramaswamy said, according to News 5 Cleveland’s July 23 report on where the candidates stand.Ramaswamy has said the industry should shoulder its own energy demand. “If you’re going to use a whole bunch of energy as a demand user, a hyperscaler, you should bring at least the energy that you’re using,” he said. On incentives, he told the station’s reporter that the state should stop subsidizing older, more resource-intensive facilities: “We should not be given state incentives to bring something here that guzzles water and drives up electric bills.”The distance between the two is less about whether data centers should pay their own way — both say they should — than about what happens if they will not. Acton would hold projects out of the state until conditions are met. Ramaswamy would sort good projects from bad ones and keep building.

DeWine signs Trump pledge urging data centers to pay for utilities - Gov. Mike DeW­ine joined a fed­eral effort that aims to pro­tect con­sumers from soar­ing util­ity costs as data cen­ters explode in Ohio and nation­wide. DeW­ine signed onto Pres­id­ent Don­ald Trump’s Rate­payer Pro­tec­tion Pledge, which urges com­pan­ies to shoulder the cost of power­ing data cen­ters, pro­tect the elec­tric grid and invest in local com­munit­ies. Trump, who has touted data cen­ters and called them “money machines,” first announced the non-bind­ing pledge in March with the sup­port of Amazon, Google and other tech giants. DeW­ine was among 23 gov­ernors who com­mit­ted to “imple­ment the prin­ciples estab­lished in the Rate­payer Pro­tec­tion Pledge, to the greatest extent pos­sible in our respect­ive pos­i­tions,” accord­ing to the White House. In a state­ment, DeW­ine said Ohio led the nation by approv­ing a data cen­ter tar­iff for Amer­ican Elec­tric Power that requires new, large data cen­ters to cover at least 85% of their con­trac­ted elec­tri­city capa­city. “As demand for elec­tri­city con­tin­ues to grow, we must pro­tect con­sumers, strengthen our grid and ensure eco­nomic devel­op­ment is achieved without shift­ing costs onto the people we serve,” DeW­ine said July 23. Ohio is home to 240 exist­ing or in progress data cen­ters, accord­ing to Data Cen­ter Map, which tracks facil­it­ies around the globe. Pro­ponents say they’re neces­sary to accom­mod­ate the rise of arti­fi­cial intel­li­gence and keep Ohio at the fore­front of advances in tech­no­logy. But data cen­ters are unpop­u­lar with people across the Buck­eye State, who worry the massive build­ings will drain resources and harm the envir­on­ment. As a res­ult, some com­munit­ies have placed morator­i­ums on devel­op­ment. Act­iv­ists are also col­lect­ing sig­na­tures for a pro­posed con­sti­tu­tional amend­ment to ban most data cen­ter projects. State and local offi­cials have wel­comed data cen­ters to Ohio, often with mil­lions of dol­lars in tax breaks. DeW­ine paused a con­tro­ver­sial sales tax exemp­tion for data cen­ters after learn­ing the price tag soared to $1.6 bil­lion last year. The move came months after he rejec­ted the Legis­lature’s attempt to elim­in­ate the exemp­tion. DeW­ine isn’t the only one con­tend­ing with data cen­ter back­lash. U.S. Sen. Jon Hus­ted, DeW­ine’s former lieu­ten­ant gov­ernor, is field­ing attacks on the cam­paign trail over his sup­port for data cen­ter projects. Hus­ted recently intro­duced legis­la­tion that aims to ensure com­pan­ies pay for their elec­tri­city. “If Amer­ica wants to lead the world in AI and strengthen our national secur­ity, we have to build the energy infra­struc­ture to sup­port it,” Hus­ted said. “But we must do that without passing the costs on to work­ing fam­il­ies and small busi­nesses.”

Ohio's cautionary tale on data centers is a lesson for us all - - Cathy Cowan Becker -- When I moved to the thriving suburb of Hilliard, Ohio, three years ago, I never imagined I would be on the front lines of fossil fuel expansion. But that’s what happened, thanks to a new law allowing data centers to fast-track approval for “behind-the-meter” energy generation.That law makes Ohio a case study on how not to power a data center.Starting in 2020, Hilliard welcomed three Amazon data center campuses. The projects were seen as major investments bringing in good-paying jobs and tax revenue for schools. But in 2025, the Ohio legislature passed House Bill 15, which allows data centers to get approval for “major utility facilities” on land they own to generate energy behind the meter — meaning the electricity is not put onto the grid but used solely to power the data center.The process takes just 60 days, with no public notice, no public hearing and no consultation with local officials. Approval is automatic, meaning no formal vote. And because the generation facility must go on land owned by the data center, the only viable option is gas.Soon after H.B. 15 went into effect, and before anyone knew what was happening, the largest fracked-gas fuel cell project in North America was quietly approved, and an air permit issued for one of Hilliard’s Amazon data centers. The gas fuel cell will emit 1.45 million pounds of carbon dioxide every day — as if 66,000 gas cars were parked onsite and running 24/7 — next to hundreds of homes, a park and an elementary school.Hilliard is just one example of behind-the-meter gas generation for data centers in Ohio. So far, 11 combustion gas turbine plants totaling 5,200 MW have been proposed or approved to power data centers across the state.Others include:

• The Socrates North and Socrates South gas plants, totaling 400 MW, were approved to power Meta’s Prometheus complex in New Albany, the world’s first gigawatt data center. Additional power will come from deals for three offsite nuclear projects.
• The 350 MW Apollo gas plant got fast-track approval to power a Meta data center in Wood County with no public hearing. A shell company, Liames LLC, signed non-disclosure agreements with elected officials, hiding the project for months.
• EdgeConneX has proposed an 800 MW gas project to power a data center complex in the tiny village of Ashville. The village council signed an agreement to support the gas plant, located next to children’s soccer fields and on top of the village aquifer, after the company offered $102 million for schools and critical wastewater upgrades.
• Four gas plants totaling 1150 MW — Socrates North, Socrates South, Socrates the Younger and NEO Power Generation Facility — have been approved and proposed to power Meta’s Prometheus complex in New Albany, the world’s first gigawatt data center.
• Vantage seeks to build a 1,350 MW gas plant with 40 turbines just a mile from the resort town of Millersport. Diagrams show particulate pollution would cover the village, Buckeye Lake State Park, and Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve, the only floating sphagnum moss island in the world. The project got a $76.1 million state tax break.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick unveiled plans for a 9.2 gigawatt — that’s 9200 megawatts — gas plant to power a giant data center complex in Pike County on the former site of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which enriched uranium for atomic weapons during the Cold War. Financed by $33 billion from Japan’s SoftBank, it would be the largest gas project in the world, spewing more than 53 million tons of greenhouse gas pollution each year. Together all these gas projects will create more greenhouse pollution than many entire countries.So many gas plants will surely carry a great cost for people and the environment. A study by Harvard biostatistician Michael Cork found that a 96 MW gas plant with eight turbines to power a Vantage data center in Loudon County, Va., could result in $53 million to $99 million in health damages, in addition to 3.4 to 6.5 additional deaths per year due to asthma, hospitalizations and lost productivity. Most gas plants now being built are much larger.The prospect of so many new gas plants has fueled a rush to frack Ohio’s public lands, with almost 22,000 acres of the state’s parks and wildlife areas approved for extraction.This enormous demand for energy is now fueling a citizen backlash against data centers in Ohio. More than 50 communities have passed data center moratoriums, and a statewide volunteer group is collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would ban data centers over 25 MW. The Buckeye State ranks fifth for data centers, with 240 statewide. That puts Ohio on the front lines of fossil fuel expansion — but it doesn’t have to be this way. If your county or state is not yet building fracked gas to power data centers, you can still reach out to legislators and demand renewable energy and guardrails for data centers.With the right laws and incentives, data centers can transform from an extractive burden to an engine that builds communities and the clean energy economy. There is a wrong way to power data centers, but you can push your state to do it right.

Akron approves new process for data centers with requirements tied to utility demand -  Akron has approved new guardrails for future data center proposals. Council unanimously passed a new process that, among other rules, requires data centers to be approved by both the city’s planning commission and city council. "Our zoning code was written before facilities like modern data centers became a significant planning consideration," Mayor Shammas Malik said in a June news release when the review process was first proposed. "This proposal creates a thoughtful, transparent process that allows us to evaluate each project on its merits, engage the public and ensure we're protecting community interests while providing clarity and predictability for applicants." The legislation also defines data centers and adds them to the city's code and conditional use process, which requires the planning commission to review proposals and make a recommendation to city council ahead of an eventual council vote. The new rules also require data center developers to provide information about expected noise, and impacts to water, power and sanitary sewer systems, said Planning Director Kyle Julien. "[This ordinance] gives Akron a clear and transparent framework for evaluating data center proposals while we continue studying best practices from around the country,” Julien said in the release. For future data center proposals, developers must provide detailed information about expected electricity demand, projected water use and wastewater discharge, backup power systems and projected noise levels, according to the proposal. In Akron City Council's planning committee meeting July 27, Julien added that the legislation does not necessarily seek to limit data centers in the city, pointing out that businesses, hospitals and other institutions in the area are increasing their use of data. Instead, the proposal will allow for more oversight and discussion when new centers are proposed, he said. “We would decide that [a proposed data center’s] impacts are minimal or not,” Julien said. “At least this brings us to the point where we can consider them.” In a public hearing, several residents spoke in favor of the legislation. City staff will continue evaluating best practices and may consider additional changes in the coming months, including noise thresholds, buffering from residential areas and landscaping requirements, Julien said.

New zoning regulations change data center developments in Canton - — Data centers remain a controversial topic, especially in the Buckeye State, leading to protests, petitions and demonstrations. Local governments across the state are voting on how these centers will affect their communities, including a Stark County city council. On Monday, Stark County residents packed Canton City Council chambers to express their thoughts about data centers. “I am not in support of the data centers,” said Samuel A. Smith, a Canton resident. “Being as how they are in my backyard. We have 10 acres, and we bordered 161 acres for 40 years, and now the proposed center will be taken up at 161 acres, and I’m not happy about it.” Smith said he wanted to use his voice to speak out after finding out a proposed data center could be built behind his home. Dozens of other Canton residents at the meeting said they do not want data centers in their neighborhoods. For the last 10 years, large-scale data centers, or those over 10,000 square feet, have been popping up across the Buckeye State. Now they are developing in Canton, but residents are pushing back against them. “You don’t have enough of anything that’s going to protect any of us,” said a Canton resident. “Need for a moratorium on this for at least a year till you least amend this where it is going to protect your citizens.” At large Canton City Council Member Bill Smuckler said it’s not if data centers will be in the city, it’s about how they will be regulated. “This was all done in 2024, and at the time nobody really cared about data centers,” said Smuckler. “They were lumped into industrial and into commish into, you know, commercial properties. Now, we were trying to get something in place to regulate setbacks.” Matt Bailey, the Canton City Planning Commission secretary, sent a memo to the city council president and members. “In 2024, the topic of data centers was presented to the planning commission and city council as a relatively new type of land use that many jurisdictions had not yet addressed or defined in their zoning ordinances,” Bailey said. Smuckler said right now data centers in Canton are not regulated and what was passed Monday night should include regulations on incoming centers and the one being built on Trump Ave. “There’s one being built inside the city limits,” said Smuckler. “We don’t know whether they are going to follow these regulations. We hope they’re going to follow these regulations.” The proposed amendment to chapter 1131 of the city code that adds an expanded definition of “Data Center” to incorporate the different data centers being developed. The proposed amendment to chapter 1148 creates a new chapter that gives different development requirements for data centers. Canton City Council passed the zoning regulation ordinance by a vote of eight to three. While residents said they are worried about noise, light pollution, water usage and electricity concerns, Smuckler said he hears their concerns but wants facts and hopes that the council will get them soon. “There’s money coming in, there’s jobs coming in, but I have yet to hear any concrete proof that we are poisoning the environment,” said Smuckler. Smuckler said there are more questions to be asked, especially when it comes to what the council can and cannot do about data centers.

Findlay set to clamp down on data centers | The Courier Proposed zoning rules 'extensive' — New zoning rules for data centers in Findlay are heading for city council. On Wednesday, council's Planning and Zoning Committee voted 5-0 on a recommendation that would subject data center development to the most extensive review process the city has ever required, said Matt Cordonnier, director of the Hancock Regional Planning Commission. “As a planner at the city of Findlay, we’ve never had something this complete and this thorough and demanded as much information as this would require," he said. The proposed regulations would be housed in a new I-3 industrial district designed for large-scale industrial campuses, including data centers and other emerging technologies that don’t fit neatly into existing zoning categories. Data centers would not be permitted outright; instead, each project would require conditional use approval that spells out operating conditions and gives the city enforcement authority if a facility fails to meet them. On Wednesday, committee members discussed enforcement tools, including permit revocation, water shutoff and coordination with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio if a facility fell out of compliance. They also reviewed wastewater discharge standards, noting industries must meet pretreatment requirements before sending water to the city’s plant. Detention pond maintenance requirements are also included to ensure on-site ponds remain functional. Electric grid impacts drew extended discussion. Developers must provide documentation from American Electric Power, Columbus, or the Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, North Baltimore, showing required grid upgrades, timing and whether service to existing customers would be affected. Members also agreed the acreage threshold in the draft was too high. The original version applied only to sites greater than 50 acres. After discussion, the committee supported lowering the threshold to five acres. The committee is also recommending a uniform 1,000-foot separation from residential zoning districts, schools, parks and hospitals; a flat prohibition on groundwater withdrawal for cooling; and a clarification that noise readings must be taken at the data center’s property line where it abuts a residential district. The draft requires applicants to submit extensive technical studies covering site plans, utility impacts, electrical demand, water usage, stormwater, wastewater, acoustics, traffic, emergency response, phasing, fiscal responsibility and landscaping. It also authorizes the city to hire independent reviewers at the applicant’s expense, expands buffering and setback standards to shield nearby neighborhoods and adjusts lot coverage rules to reflect that data centers require far less parking than traditional manufacturing. On Wednesday, residents raised questions about wastewater monitoring, electric rate impacts, water use for cooling systems, national security concerns for domestic data storage and a so-far unreleased Blanchard Valley Port Authority study about the local impact of data centers. The action continues months of discussion, as the city works to establish a regulatory framework while a 12-month moratorium remains in place. The moratorium runs until April 2027 unless council adopts zoning earlier. Officials reiterated that Ohio law does not allow cities to ban a land use outright, but does allow them to define “what, where and how” a use may operate. Findlay officials have not identified any specific proposals for data centers within the city. The discussion comes as communities across the region have begun examining their zoning codes and questioning whether utility systems can support large-scale computing facilities. Locally, officials have acknowledged that data center construction would most likely take place outside city limits. The Planning & Zoning Committee is chaired by Councilwoman Heather Kensinger, R-at-large, and includes council members Nichole Coleman, R-1; Kevin Cullen, I-5; Dan DeLong, R-7; and Brad Wagner, R-at-large. Findlay’s review mirrors other action across Hancock County, where a May recommendation from the Hancock Regional Planning Commission has prompted townships to examine their own data center rules. The commission voted 12-0 in May to recommend approval of a Washington Township zoning amendment that would add data centers as a conditional use in its industrial districts and impose strict limits on their size, cooling systems and utility demands. The proposal is designed to give trustees broad discretion over any project. Washington Township began reviewing the amendment after being approached by the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) in Toledo, which has been discussing potential sites across northwest Ohio. According to the minutes from the May meeting, a farmer has assembled 300 to 400 acres in the township. The land’s natural gas line and proximity to Fostoria’s water system make it a candidate for data center development. Other townships may follow suit. Marion Township representatives said they would be “very interested” in Washington Township’s amendment once it is adopted, and Allen Township officials noted their zoning resolution predates the recent surge in data center proposals and may need to be revisited. RGP has told local officials it wants northwest Ohio to have seven to 10 data center operations and has outlined both the advantages and drawbacks of hosting them, according to the minutes. RPG is a privately led economic development organization serving 17 counties in northwest Ohio, including Hancock County. It works as the region’s site selection and business attraction arm, helping companies evaluate locations, assemble land, navigate incentives and coordinate with state agencies. RGP is also the regional network partner for JobsOhio, managing project development, incentive packaging and site readiness efforts across the region. The group markets northwest Ohio to corporate clients, conducts confidential site searches and promotes large-scale investment opportunities — including data centers — as part of its strategy to attract new jobs and capital to the region.

Urbana voters to decide on data center ban in November - After many concerns from the public regarding a potential data center in Urbana, a group of people got enough signatures to add a charter amendment on the November ballot to ban them. Nicole Nawman, who is the Champaign County Lead for Conserve Ohio, started the petition July 7, which required 169 signatures. By July 14, the group had more than 400 signatures and the issue will be on the November ballot to change Urbana’s city charter to prohibit hyperscale data centers in the city. “This is something that is another tool that certain municipalities, certain cities and villages can use in their tool belt to fight data centers locally … It’s another option,” she said. Thor Equities has plans to build a $1 billion, 460,000-square-foot data center at the corner of state Route 55 and U.S. 68, adjacent to the Rittal facility called the Urbana Technology Hub. In March, Urbana City Council passed a temporary moratorium on data centers for 12 months. Then in June, they reversed an April 2025 amendment that allowed data centers to be developed in Urbana’s M-1 Light Manufacturing District. Shortly after, Thor filed a federal lawsuit against the city, its city council and the Building & Zoning Appeals Board seeking to push past the recent zoning reversal and develop the data center. Nicole Nawman, who is the Champaign County Lead for Conserve Ohio, started a petition July 7 to put an issue on the November ballot to change Urbana’s city charter to prohibit hyperscale data centers in the city. Nawman is an Urbana resident who lives less than a mile away from the proposed data center. “I will live it and breathe it, smell it every day and I don’t want that. I know the effects of the data center and not only I don’t want that for me, but I don’t want it for my community,” she said. “There are so much risk to the area where they want to put it. There’s a school. There’s a nursing home. Cedar Bog is not much further down the road. So, it’s not something that I think the city of Urbana and its surrounding community can support.” Nawman also serves with the Conserve Ohio campaign to put a statewide data center ban on the ballot next year. “I started with Conserve Ohio because of the efforts for the statewide ban on the hyperscale data centers. As soon as that petition became available, I had that in my hands, boots on the ground — I was ready to start collecting signatures,” she said. The initial goal was to get the statewide petition on the November 2026 ballot, but that didn’t happen, Nawman said. They have to get 413,000 signatures across all of Ohio. When Nawman saw word about a data center coming to Urbana on Facebook last year, she talked with her Conserve Ohio group about doing something on the local level and that’s how the idea of this charter amendment came about. Nawman said this local petition is something they can do before the statewide petition “hopefully gets on the ballot in November 2027.” The petition packet made it through Urbana’s municipality and the Champaign County Board of Elections verified the signatures, and it’s now back with the city’s law director, Nawman said. He will create the legislation so the city can create an ordinance and it will be discussed at the next council meeting on Aug. 4. “That information will then be put on a ballot for November, where Urbana City registered voters can say no we don’t want a data center or yes we’re okay with the data center,” she said.

Columbus looks to regulate data center developments - With rapid data center development in central Ohio, Columbus City Council is drafting policies that would regulate how they can operate in the future. The second public hearing for the proposed legislative package for data center regulation was held on Wednesday. Columbus residents got a chance to voice their concerns about data center legislation at the committee meeting. Many argued the facilities have no place in our city. “I oppose the construction of data centers. I oppose the ones that are already here that I never consented to,” one speaker said. “I am 100 percent against data centers in or around Columbus or Ohio. There should be a ban entirely,” said another. Columbus City Council presented a proposed policy package that includes five prongs so far. “We think we have policy solutions that will address many of the concerns residents. We can’t address all of them from the seat of city council but for those that fall within our purview this is our attempt to address those concerns,” Columbus City Council member Christopher Wyche said. The proposed policies address the following:

• Water conservation and reuse
• Sewer tapping
• Decommissioning plans
• Community benefits: investment and engagement 
• Rate-setting for high-capacity users

“One of the big concerns we heard at our initial hearing was around wastewater streams and what was actually going to. That’s one of the thing the department expressed to them is they have to treat this waste stream. It’s easier for them to treat it if they know up front what is in that waste stream,” Wyche said. Wyche says there’s a lot of misinformation about data centers right now that he’d like to dispel. “One is the jobs and the economic investment that occurs from having these large data centers located over here. I know that there’s this belief that once this data center is built that’s the end of that. That’s not accurate,” he said. Lukas Skoracki disagrees. “The actions of the state and local government have deeply betrayed the feelings I had previously,” Skoracki said. The OSU senior studies environmental policy and decision making and would like to see a moratorium on data centers. A ban on data centers in the city and in the state. But as long as that’s not going to happen, I also think that we should have, just increased regulations on them. Basically, stopping any, like, thing that we can to, or putting in place any regulations that we can to limit their control of, state resources, state energy, state water, stuff like that,” Skoracki said. City leaders encourage the public to continue to submit their feedback as this legislative process continues. The next hearing is Sept. 16.

Conneaut committee to develop zoning for data centers - Star Beacon — City leaders formed an ad hoc committee at a Wednesday city council economic development meeting. The ad hoc committee will develop conditional use zoning for data centers within the city. The economic development committee decided it would be made up of nine people representing various sectors of the city, including the Conneaut Area City School Board, Conneaut Health Department and local business, along with four private citizens. Three people at Wednesday’s meeting were recruited to join the committee; Lisa Specht, a city resident concerned about data center development in the city, Jennifer Simpson, secretary for the city planning commission, and Conneaut Board of Zoning Appeals Chair Dolly Sherman. Wednesday meeting attendees decided to reach out to other people they had in mind for the committee Currently a brokerage firm, M2 Development Solutions is studying the feasibility of a data center at the Conneaut Industrial Park. City residents and others have been speaking at council meetings since around February, concerned about data center development in the city. Speakers at council have raised several issues, including environmental concerns, negative effects of generative artificial intelligence and the influence on the cost of utilities. A one-year moratorium on data centers is in second reading for city council. During a July 13 council meeting, Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County Executive Director Greg Myers and Lake to River Economic Development Vice President of Engagement and Economic Development Michael McGiffin recommended the city implement conditional use zoning on data centers instead of a moratorium. Council members expressed interest in forming an ad hoc committee on the issue composed of people in favor of and opposed to data centers. Conneaut Councilperson-at-large and Economic Development Committee Chair Nick Perkoski announced at that meeting the economic development committee would work on forming the ad hoc committee at its Wednesday meeting. Council President Terry Moisio said no council member would serve on the committee, and its members could report to city council at its work sessions. He said the committee’s formation did not have to be voted on by council. Perkoski said he expected a lot of differing opinions among committee members and asked everyone to be respectful of that. “Whatever comes out of this committee, I’m going to be respectful of it, and I will follow that,” he said.

Liberty Twp. trustees to review all data center projects case-by-case -   Any proposed data centers that want to locate in Liberty Twp. will now have to come before township trustees for approval and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Trustees approved a change in the township’s zoning text that restricts data centers — regardless of size — to business or manufacturing planned unit development districts. All PUD projects require final approval from the three-member governing board. Prior to the vote, data centers were permitted as conditional uses allowed only in certain areas in the township that had to be approved by the township’s zoning commission, said Tom McIntyre, the township’s senior planner. “It’s (data center) allowable, which means you can apply for it. It doesn’t mean you’ll be approved,” McIntyre said. The changes will take effect Aug. 21. Through the PUD process trustees would review every data center request, decide if it was in the right location, and put conditions on approval following a public hearing. Trustees could also deny projects that didn’t meet their criteria. Trustee Todd Minniear said the research he’s done raises three concerns on the impact data centers would potentially have on the community that he will take into consideration on every case: energy supply and the cost for citizens, water supply/quality, and noise. “It’s a long shot to put one in Liberty Twp. right now — the barriers are real,” Minniear said. “These are things that will eventually be solved by technology or legislation. But they’re not solved yet, so we have to keep an eye on them.” The changes come as plans for a data center in nearby Trenton move forward and as Ohio legislators study the matter at the state level. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has suspended data center tax breaks for the centers that are largely fueled by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Development of data centers has temporarily been halted in Cincinnati and Fairborn. Groups in Dayton, Trenton, and Wilmington are trying to stop them. Changes to the zoning text also outline when and under what conditions final PUD plans expire. Other minor changes — mostly housekeeping to correct reference numbers in the text — were also approved.

Chillicothe leaders unaware of data center plans – NBC4 (video news report) Chillicothe officials said they had no knowledge of plans to include a data center at the site of a former paper mill.

Ashville Data Center Dispute Reaches Ohio Supreme Court - Residents of a Pickaway County village contend local officials wrongly rejected their referendum petition regarding an arrangement with a hyperscale data center developer. But attorneys for Ashville Fiscal Officer April Grube countered in recent filings that those claims do not hold merit. The data center debate before the Ohio Supreme Court pertains to the proposed EdgeConneX data center in Ashville, which, like many developments of its kind across the state, has been met with local pushback. The resolution passed by the village council in April suspends a temporary data center moratorium in exchange for assurances from the developer. EdgeConneX agreed to invest $64 million in the Teays Valley Local School District in addition to $32 million for a new village water plant and the expansion of a wastewater treatment plant, according to court documents. Challengers filed their referendum petition soon after to force a public vote on the contract. The Pickaway County Board of Elections later verified 669 valid signatures, which surpassed the threshold established by Revised Code for a referendum petition to reach the ballot. Grube’s decision to block the petition drew the legal challenge from three Ashville residents. They are represented by Austin Baurichter — an organizer for Conserve Ohio, which seeks a statewide data center moratorium. “Respondent’s conduct that gave rise to this action was improper on both levels and in both categories, and Respondent has no valid excuse to not certify the Referendum Petition to the Pickaway County Board of Elections,” Baurichter wrote. “The Relators and the other electors of the Village of Ashville are entitled to the day at the ballot box that they have earned.” Grube determined that the petition was “invalid and insufficient” since the resolution was passed as an emergency measure. Her attorneys added that the resolution is not subject to a referendum, pointing to prior rulings from the state’s high court. “Is the ordinance or resolution subject to referendum?” they wrote. “This Court has answered that question many times. Ohio law is clear when it ‘exempts from the referendum power ordinances passed as emergency legislation.’” Attorneys further contend the resolution should be considered an administrative action since it authorized a summary term sheet between the village and EdgeConneX. “The test for determining whether the action of a legislative body is legislative or administrative is whether the action taken is one enacting a law, ordinance or regulation, or executing or administering a law, ordinance or regulation already in existence,” they argued. “Legislation authorizing the execution of a contract is an administrative action.” Several groups also submitted amicus briefs in support of the challengers, arguing that the referendum should be allowed to carry forward. Pickaway Informed Citizens wrote that the EdgeConnex facility would be powered by an 800-megawatt gas-fired power plant, driving environmental concerns among residents. Through the referendum voting, the group contends residents possess the constitutional right to let their voices be heard. “When citizens undertake court challenges to put constitutional referendum votes on the ballot respecting controversial data center decisions, the litigation is too often seen as citizens vs. governments that are defensively aligned with the corporations that benefit from the development decisions made by government,” they wrote. “But referendum voting is essentially the people’s exercise of longstanding democratic rights enshrined in the Ohio Constitution and the actual, legal conflict is between the people and their government.” "The issue before the Court is not whether the proposed data center should ultimately be built,” added the Data Center Resistance. "The issue is whether Ohio's Constitution permits the citizens of Ashville to exercise the democratic authority the Constitution expressly reserves to them."

Data center company hopes to intervene in case before Ohio Supreme Court – NBC4 — An international data center company is getting involved in a Pickaway County legal dispute between residents and a village administrator.Three Ashville residents filed a motion before Ohio’s Supreme Court after the village approved a deal with EdgeConneX to build a hyperscale data center in the small rural community. The residents are taking legal action against Ashville Fiscal Officer April Grube, alleging she improperly kept a citizen petition that would have stopped the data center project from going to the ballot. Residents Laura McNamara-Smith, Brian Meyers and Allison Meade filed the case before the Supreme Court of Ohio on July 14. Now, EdgeConneX is joining Grube and village residents in the dispute. The international data center company has headquarters in northern Virginia, Singapore and Amsterdam. EdgeConneX also owns 195 acres in Ashville and filed its own motion to intervene in the lawsuit because the future of its data center could be complicated by the lawsuit.After months of protest, Ashville Council read an agreement with EdgeConneX at three meetings. Attempts on March 2 and March 16 did not meet the required two-thirds vote needed to pass the legislation as an emergency motion. On April 6, councilmembers approved an agreement with EdgeConneX as an emergency motion.McNamara-Smith, Meyers and Meade were involved in a referendum, or a citizen petition that, when signed by enough residents, places an issue on the ballot for the larger community to vote on. The referendum was filed May 5 and would allow residents to vote on whether or not to go through with the village’s agreement with EdgeConneX.Pushback toward data centers is becoming increasingly common. In a national Emerson College Poll published on July 23, researchers found 63% of Americans oppose data centers being built in or near their community. That number increased by nearly 20% between December 2025 and July 2026. According to court records, the petition received 875 signatures in the village of 4,500 people. In a letter, the Pickaway County Board of Elections found 669 of the signatures were valid, nearly 200 more than were needed to get on the ballot. In a June 26 letter to the board of elections, Grube said the petition is flawed and that she would not recommend the petition to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. She said referendums cannot be enacted on legislation passed under an emergency. Grube also said the agreement with EdgeConneX is not a law or regulation, so it cannot qualify for a referendum. The Pickaway County Board of Elections told McNamara-Smith it was Ashville’s responsibility to determine if the petition is valid and that they would not intervene, per court records. The board of elections said it would respect any legal outcomes. Grube claims she acted appropriately under Ohio law, whereas the trio of residents allege her rejection of the petition was inconsistent with Ohio law. The Ohio Supreme Court will now decide whether the referendum petition should be approved to be placed on the November ballot.On July 22, EdgeConneX requested permission to intervene as its own party in the case. The court granted until Monday for the residents and Grube to file responses as to whether EdgeConneX should be permitted to join the suit as a third party. McNamara-Smith, Meyers and Mead’s attorneys filed a motion asking the court to reject EdgeConneX’s request to interveneThe petition must be certified and approved by Aug. 5 to appear before Ashville voters in November.

Ohio EPA will not finalize proposed data center general permit - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will not finalize a proposed general permit for wastewater discharges from data centers, opting instead to continue using the existing individual permitting process.The decision follows an extensive public comment period on the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit, during which Ohio agricultural organizations raised concerns about the proposal’s potential impact on water quality protections.Ohio Farm Bureau applauded the EPA’s decision.“This is the right decision for our state, and we appreciate Ohio EPA’s willingness to listen to our members’ concerns and maintain their current permitting approach,” said Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy for Ohio Farm Bureau. “The individualized NPDES permitting process, for facilities like data centers, gives regulators the ability to evaluate each project based on its unique circumstances while maintaining Ohio’s work toward water quality.” According to Ohio EPA, the agency carefully reviewed the significant volume of public comments before determining that the individual NPDES permit issuance process is the most appropriate path forward. Individual permits will continue to provide project-specific review while maintaining the same environmental standards and protections required under state and federal law.The Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) also welcomed the announcement, noting that it submitted comments expressing concerns with the proposed general permit and joined other stakeholders in supporting the continuation of the individual permitting process.Ohio EPA said public participation remains a critical part of its decision-making process and emphasized that the individual permitting system will continue to provide rigorous environmental oversight for future data center projects.

Ohio EPA drops proposed streamlined wastewater permits for data centers -The Ohio EPA has withdrawn its proposal to streamline wastewater discharge permits for data centers following significant public and environmental opposition, opting to evaluate permits individually. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn a proposal that would have streamlined wastewater discharge permitting for data centers following widespread public opposition.The agency said it received a significant volume of comments opposing the proposed statewide approach for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and has decided to continue evaluating data center discharge permits on a case-by-case basis. The Ohio EPA has released a draft permit regulating wastewater discharges from a proposed data center, emphasizing stricter effluent limits and monitoring to protect water quality...The proposal drew criticism from environmental organizations and elected officials who raised concerns about allowing facilities with varying cooling systems and wastewater characteristics to operate under a standardized permitting framework.According to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, most data centers in Ohio currently discharge wastewater to municipal wastewater treatment plants rather than directly to surface waters. The organization said only one facility in the state currently holds an NPDES permit authorizing direct discharge to freshwater.The decision means future data center projects seeking direct wastewater discharges will continue to undergo individual permit reviews based on site-specific conditions and discharge characteristics.

Ohio EPA scraps rule to permit data center discharge into waterways - Farm and Dairy - — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency scrapped a proposed statewide general permit on July 21 that would’ve allowed data centers to discharge wastewater into local waterways. The agency dismissed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit “after carefully reviewing the significant volume of public comments received on the draft” — over 7,000. The general permit would’ve approved all data centers with similar operations and types of discharge without requiring chemical measurements from the water prior to discharge and with limited public participation. The general permit also has a reduced processing and quicker review time, according to the Ohio EPA. Under an individual permit, these projects undergo a public participation process for each discharge application — under a general permit, this would’ve occurred once when the original general permit rule was adopted.   Data centers in Ohio currently discharge to wastewater treatment plants.  “After cooling, about 80% of this water evaporates, and the remainder is discharged to wastewater treatment,” according to an Ohio Chamber of Commerce report released in June.  There are two methods to cool data center servers: air cooling and water cooling. Discharge from water cooling methods can contain hazardous chemicals needed to cool the servers — including chemicals linked to PFAS.  Known as forever chemicals, PFAS are said to exist “forever” as they contain toxic chemicals that break down slowly, remaining indefinitely in the environment and accumulating in the human body, leading to negative health impacts. If approved, this data center discharge would have polluted local waterways with these chemicals and led to thermal pollution, increasing harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and the Ohio River, according to Helena Volzer, senior source water policy manager at the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “It’s heated wastewater, it’s warm, and (when) it comes out, it creates that environment that harmful blooms like to grow in. So that’s their risk with increased thermal pollution,” Volzer told Farm and Dairy. “Why continue to increase the potential risk for harmful algal blooms, especially given that Ohio has spent millions of dollars on the H2Ohio program to implement farmer best practices to help prevent harmful algal blooms?” she said. The state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the H2Ohio program since its inception in 2019, including $165 million in the recent 2026-2027 budget. The program aims to address legacy water quality issues. The Ohio Farm Bureau applauded the EPA’s dismissal of the general permit; the organization submitted public comments on the draft proposal, which included concerns “that a general permit would undermine years of progress made by Ohio farmers and conservation partners to improve water quality,” said OFB in a statement. “This is the right decision for our state, and we appreciate Ohio EPA’s willingness to listen to our members’ concerns and maintain their current permitting approach,” said Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy for Ohio Farm Bureau. Several Ohio lawmakers have also supported the dismissal, including Ohio Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid). “In a time when data centers are straining the electric grid and increasing ratepayers’ bills, the last thing that Ohioans need is for multi-billion dollar corporations to also pollute their water,” Smith said in a statement. While Volzer is pleased with the result, she says there is more work to be done, including adopting more transparency standards for data centers on their water and electricity usage. She adds that an individual data center permit could still directly discharge into a waterway, but for now, the general permit dismissal is a big win. “This is a signal that Ohioans really care about their water quality, they want to see this done right, and they want public participation in the process,” Volzer said. “It shows how individual voices, when people speak up and provide their feedback, can make a difference.”

7000 Ohioans spoke up, and they changed how data centers can use Ohio's water -  Keeping Lake Erie as pristine as possible was on the minds of 7,000 Ohioans who spoke up to stop a blanket permit for data centers to dump their wastewater in the lake. It worked and the permit has been withdrawn. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer. You really can fight City Hall. Or, at least, the Ohio EPA. The Ohio EPA had been quietly moving toward a policy that would have allowed data centers to receive blanket wastewater discharge permits — meaning these massive, water-hungry facilities could have operated without individual environmental review. The justification? Streamlining the process, in keeping with a broader push from Washington to fast-track data center development. The result? A proposal that would have effectively handed data centers a pass on scrutiny over how they discharge water into Ohio’s waterways, including Lake Erie.

Ohio citizens showed power by stopping state EPA approval for data center pollution of waterways  -- “You can’t fight city hall.” Resistance is futile. The powers that be always win. Pick one. If you need an excuse to justify inaction with a cynical shrug, there are plenty. But there are also plenty of examples of people who give enough of a damn to battle bureaucracy, to push back because they must. They make calls, send letters, show up. They challenge “city hall” and rules too hard to change even if they cannot win. Because sometimes they do. Thousands of Ohioans took on the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency over a quality-of-life threat. They won. For now. In December enraged citizens got wind of the Ohio EPA’s outrageous proposal to make it easier for massive data centers to pollute local waterways with impunity and they mobilized to table the blanket approach under consideration. The Ohio EPA confirmed that public comments against its proposed statewide data center wastewater permit exceeded 7,000.Last Tuesday the agency announced it had scrapped the general permit drafted to help data centers release wastewater into Ohio’s lakes, rivers, and streams with heavily reduced review and analysis by the state.“After carefully reviewing the significant volume of public comments received on the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for data centers, Ohio EPA has decided not to move forward with finalizing the general permit.”Would that have happened without 7,000 voices raised in opposition? If not for the public outcry would the Ohio EPA have handed Big Tech everything it wanted — a quick, one-size-fits-all permitting process that cut meaningful agency review, on-site scrutiny of data center wastewater discharges, dropped notice and comment opportunities for local communities?Ohio already provides massive sales tax exemptions for data centers (costing the state nearly $1.6 billion in 2025) and the state environmental agency was advancing an industry-friendly plan.  In January, Ohio EPA director John Logue admitted the decision to propose a general permit (as opposed to individual, case-by-case authorization) was motivated in part by President Trump’s call to expedite the process for approving data centers. Getting an environmental permit to satisfy clean water requirements took too long. But as developers raced to build a wave of “hyperscale” data centers around Ohio — which hosts more than any other Great Lakes state at over 200-and-counting — controversy grew over wastewater generated by some of those facilities winding up in Lake Erie and its tributaries.The expedited permit proposal could have wrapped up the process in a month compared to as many as six for an on-site specific permit. Incredible as it sounds, the now defunct agency plan would have allowed all data centers, (regardless of size, location, or type) to discharge untreated waste and storm water directly into local waterways under certain conditions not subject to individual inspection. A single statewide blanket permit would cover an entire industry.When the Ohio EPA informed Ohioans that such a deal was in the works at the end of 2025, one phrase from the proposed change ignited alarm.“It has been determined that a lowering of water quality of various waters of the state associated with granting coverage under this permit is necessary to accommodate important social and economic development in the state of Ohio.”In other words, indulging the fast-track agenda of the artificial intelligence industry —  valued at hundreds of billions in direct market size with multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure spending and record-breaking personal wealth creation — is worth the price of polluting some Ohio lakes and streams??The broadly ambiguous language in the agency’s drafted proposal underscored that tradeoff to Big Tech.It acknowledged a “decline in water quality” as an acceptable business proposition as long as data center wastewater isn’t “discharged within 500 yards upstream from a public water supply intake” or dumped “in a lake other than Lake Erie, or groundwater supplies” or “exhibits the reasonable potential” to break Ohio’s minimum water quality standards.All wording a major tech or AI company lawyer could drive a bus through without breaking a sweat.One provision of the streamlined permit did exhort data centers to “evaluate potential prevention methods and install the latest pollution prevention technology if it is economically feasible.” Another revision to exploit.The overwhelming takeaway from incensed Ohioans was that the state was giving AI data centers a pass on polluting surface water in Ohio with weakened safeguards for local communities. The Ohio EPA appeared to sanction the necessary release of unknown contaminants from cooling-component water and other runoff from data centers into natural waterways to get operations up and running faster. An accommodation to AI barons regardless of the cost to Ohioans stuck with polluted water. Data centers consume massive amounts of water to cool servers and prevent overheating of equipment.  Discharge from those water-cooling methods can contain hazardous forever chemicals (PFAS) — toxic compounds that break down slowly in nature and in the human body and are linked to serious health risks.  While most data center wastewater in Ohio goes to municipal systems (treatment plants and sanitary sewers) instead of being dumped directly into lakes and streams, the Ohio EPA was prepared to approve that option for some data centers without requiring chemical measurements from the water prior to discharge and with limited public input. But the agency shelved the idea, thanks to more than 7,000 Ohioans who objected. Loudly. Who says you can’t fight city hall?

Environmental Advocates Push for Energy Policy Reforms to Meet Data Centers' Demands -- Worries over data centers’ broad impact on utility bills and natural resources are seemingly held by Ohioans across the political spectrum, environmental advocates contend. And with that sentiment, Save Ohio Parks sees an opportunity to build consensus with unusual bedfellows. “There are definitely inroads here on this issue…both on making sure that we're organizing around data centers and making them either safe or we're keeping them out of our communities if that's what we want,” Save Ohio Parks Campaign Manager Mark Gavin Sr. said. Gavin made those comments during a Thursday evening virtual press conference and hours after Gov. Mike DeWine signed onto the White House data center ratepayer pledge. Signed by 23 governors and more than 200 stakeholders nationwide, the pledge calls on data center developers to pay their fair share for the electricity they use.Both U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Columbus, and his Democratic challenger, Sherrod Brown, have similarly pushed to keep data centers from leaving ratepayers with higher bills, which Gavin called further proof showing that “both Democrats and Republicans are realizing that this is an issue that people actually care about.”Meeting the demands of the 200-plus data centers in the state could occur through increased adoption of wind and solar energy resources, members of the environmental advocacy group argued. Save Ohio Parks board member Rachel Kutzley said wind and solar could play a vital role in building needed supply to accommodate the facilities.But she said prior General Assemblies, particularly through a 2021 energy law allowing local governments to block renewable projects, have made it harder to build those resources.More than 5.3 gigawatts of wind and solar projects have been abandoned since the law went into effect, Kutzley added. “As a result, even in counties that did not adopt a formal ban, the Ohio Power Siting Board…has denied the primarily solar projects based on local opposition,” she said. “This really contrasts with the scenario for oil and gas that are not subject to local approval.”Board President Cathy Cowan Becker said the Legislature should consider revising the siting process and prohibiting local governments from using nondisclosure agreements.Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, and Rep. Adam Bird, R-Cincinnati, are leading legislation that would bar the use of NDAs, a prospect that has drawn opposition from the business community (HB 695).  Becker also noted proposals creating a community energy program, expanding virtual net metering and authorizing demand response programs as a pathway to increase energy efficiency (HB 303, SB 298 & HB 427).    “Mainly, what we want to see is just parity in Ohio law that oil, gas, solar, wind, batteries — all of these — should be treated the same,” she said. “We shouldn't have some stipulations for solar and wind that oil and gas doesn't have, or vice versa.“And for data centers themselves, we believe they should meet or offset energy demand with 100% renewable energy.” Kutzley also lauded the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s decision this week to not move forward with a general permit allowing data centers to discharge wastewater into public waterways.“That means that data centers will still need case-by-case permits to discharge their wastewater into Ohio water sources, so we were pleased with that,” she said.“It's still not great to have them discharging into rivers, but we do like the fact that the EPA will look at that on a case-by-case basis and hopefully have more kind of monitoring and oversight of that discharge.”

Email records show Youngstown leaders have sought major data center for past year | Watchdog Report  - Across the Valley, communities like Warren, Girard, Niles, Boardman, Lordstown, Hubbard and others have taken some action to be proactive regarding the possibility of data centers within their boundaries. In most cases, in the face of widespread public outcry over concerns about noise, water use, and pollution, these municipalities have opted to impose a moratorium to give themselves time to determine what they are and are not willing to support. Notably silent on this issue, though, has been the largest city in the Mahoning Valley: Youngstown. Mayor Derrick McDowell, in a tightly controlled virtual townhall on June 18, made brief references to data centers, referring to his own personal use of AI platform ChatGPT to research city issues and saying, "That’s why when we talk about economic development…I’ve literally been to communities where a data center has saved their infrastructure because they negotiated a deal where that data center came in and invested $125 million into their budget, and they were able to go out and build back infrastructure,” McDowell said. “I am not saying that is what we are going to do. I am not saying that data centers are right. What I am saying is, if our residents are going to foot the bill themselves, we are never going to get where we are going to try and fix the issues of a city that’s aging right in front of us for decades on end.” Email records newly obtained by 21 News tell a much more detailed story of a city that has been aggressively seeking to attract one or more data centers, all while working to manage its message because of its leaders' awareness of opposition among residents.Beginning in 2025, while still under the Jamael Tito Brown administration, Stephanie Gilchrist, the city's director of economic development, was in communication with Adam Krupp of Wharton Equity, which was at the time working to partner with LightHouse Data Centers. That partnership became official in January 2026 and was described in a Wharton news release as an effort to "launch a fully integrated platform to develop, own and operate hyperscale data centers across North America."On July 16, Gilchrist emailed Krupp, copying Jason Neal and Sarah Boyarko of Lake to River, which is the JobsOhio district that covers the Valley. In that email, Gilchrist tells Krupp that the city is interested in "discussing further the possibility of a data center."Krupp replies, now including David Wilaj from Lake to River as well, thanking them for their interest and saying he hopes to have a similar relationship with Youngstown that Wharton has had with "the team in Hamilton, Ohio." This is likely a reference to a billion-dollar data center in Hamilton, originally proposed by a company called Logistix before being transferred to Wharton. Residents in that community raised enough concerns that Hamilton leaders published an FAQ in an effort to try to ease some of the pushback.The discussions in Youngstown immediately picked up speed from there, with Wilaj emailing the group the very next day, July 30, with a link to a site on Poland Avenue that sits partially in Youngstown and partially in Campbell, saying "All utilities are in place at site and ready to go." That site sits along the Mahoning River and has residential areas on either side. Wilaj suggests a Joint Economic Development District would likely be necessary.Krupp replies on August 4, saying he likes the location and asks questions about whether any zoning variance would be needed, as well as if there are any environmental concerns.The next day, on August 5, Gilchrist loops then-chief of staff Nikki Posterli into the discussion. In an email to Posterli, Gilchrist tells Posterli that her "sources" tell her the Wharton people are reputable and compares the JEDD idea to the agreement in 2009 that brought Vallourec to Youngstown/Girard. Posterli replies enthusiastically, saying "Yes, let's keep the conversation going!"The site comes into question, though, in a follow-up email from Steve Biroschak, a zoning analyst for the city. Biroschak says he has reviewed the potential site and that it was originally reserved by the Ohio Public Works Commission to be preserved as open space. He offers two options: a potential land swap with the OPWC and an alternative site.That site, 102 acres of farmland at the Landsdowne airport on the city's East side, would not be suitable for agriculture. Biroschak suggested the city buy that land and work out a data center agreement.Derrick McDowell, who took office in January of 2026, had not been in office more than a week when interest appears to have resumed.On January 7, Biroschak sends Gilchrist, who was held over from the previous administration, an article from Cleveland television station WKYC with the headline:"Ohio EPA reviewing data center discharge permits amid water quality concerns."  The only context provided for this email is a note from Biroschak saying he's "just passing it along."But five days later, it becomes clear that there is significantly more than just casual sharing of news articles; a much more substantial discussion is taking place. Wendy Zele, manager of external affairs for First Energy, emails Gilchrist, saying she is following up on a voicemail request to set up a meeting with between herself, Gilchrist, Adam Krupp from Wharton, McDowell's newly-appointed director of planning and economic development DeMaine Kitchen and Nick Katsoros, regional external affairs director for First Energy to discuss what Gilchrist describes as a "potential project" on the east side that would require resources from First Energy. During this discussion, Ben Basson and Nick Etschied from LightHouse Data Centers are added to the conversation and Krupp touts their experience in Springfield, Ohio. Etschied previously worked for 5C Data Centers, which had recently opened a billion-dollar data center in Springfield at the site of a former LexisNexus data center that was repurposed.The day after this conversation, Wharton announced its partnership with LightHouse for hyperscale data centers across North America.Over the next few days, city leaders go into research mode. Kitchen emails himself an article about Columbus becoming the second-largest data center hub in the Great Lakes region and receives an email from the American Water Works Association with the subject line, "Data Center Cooling."Valencia Marrow, Youngstown's clerk of council, sends an invite to Kitchen for a webinar from the Ohio Municipal League called "Municipal considerations for data centers," which he signs up for.Ray Lewis of Ray Lewis, Inc., an industrial hose manufacturer, reaches out to Jonathan Huff, McDowell's chief of staff, saying, "When your servers rely on cooling system integrity, there's no room for hose failures. Our custom data center hose assemblies are built to prevent downtime and protect mission-critical infrastructure." It's unclear whether this is an unsolicited sales pitch or a response to an inquiry from the city.In February, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber begins coordinating data center development in earnest, organizing an informational session for leaders in Lordstown, McDonald and Youngstown. At that point, McDonald and Lordstown had publicly discussed the possibility of data centers, but Youngstown was, and still is, quiet on the matter.“What we've done is try to provide some neutral, third-party, unbiased information for anybody who wants it. So we did do a brief meeting with a couple of the government leaders in local governments where there is interest in a data center coming. We also did a webinar for anybody that wanted to jump on and learn more about data centers,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. When asked if he knew about the talks between LightHouse Data Centers and Youngstown, Coviello said no.On February 9, Katsoros of First Energy tells representatives from Wharton, LightHouse and Gilchrist and Kitchen that the next step is to complete a "conceptual load study process." In layman's terms, this is a study examining how much electricity a proposed facility might require.This is when the discussion begins to turn to how and when to inform the public about these discussions.

19 New Shale Well Permits Reported for PA-OH-WV Jul 20 – 26 - Marcellus Drilling News -  The Marcellus/Utica region received 19 new drilling permits last week, July 20 – 26, down 7 from two weeks ago. Last week, Pennsylvania issued 10 new permits. Ohio issued 4 new permits. And West Virginia issued 5 new permits. The drillers who received new permits included: Ascent Resources (1), EOG Resources (1), EQT (7), Expand Energy (5), Infinity Natural Resources (2), Range Resources (2), and Snyder Brothers (1). Armstrong County | Ascent Resources | EOG Resources | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Guernsey County | INR/Infinity Natural Resources | Marshall County | Noble County | Range Resources Corp | Snyder Brothers | Washington County | Westmoreland County

INR Discloses $57.5M Q2 Derivative Gain Ahead of Earnings - Marcellus Drilling News - Infinity Natural Resources, the Morgantown, WV-based operator running Utica Shale acreage in eastern Ohio and stacked dry-gas Marcellus/Utica positions in southwestern Pennsylvania, put out a preliminary hedging update on July 17th, giving the market a first look at its second-quarter derivative results before full Q2 earnings land. We thought that we would take the opportunity to try and explain (decode) what all of this hedging (derivatives) stuff is about. The headline number: a net derivative gain of approximately $57.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. That figure is a combination of two very different things, and it's worth separating them.

Q2 2026 Earnings Calls: CNX Resources Production Expectations Remain Flat | RBN Energy -Appalachian natural gas producer CNX Resources affirmed during its 2nd quarter earnings call on Thursday that it expects total annual production in 2026 to be between 1.66 and 1.7 Bcfe/d. This guidance is identical to what the company stated in its Q4 2025 earnings call almost six months ago, as volatility in prices have not caused any divergence from earlier plans. The company expects to turn in line 34 wells this year, with 27 of those in Marcellus and seven in deep Utica.While the annual guidance remains flat on an annual basis, CEO Alan Shepard promised field activity that would be “slightly higher in Q3 then sort of level out in Q4” which is reflected in CapEx projections that increase from Q2 to Q3 before declining in Q4. Shepard stated that the timeline “naturally sets up” so that more gas is available at the end of the year when in-basin demand is highest. He also confirmed that well costs remain in the range of $1,700 per foot but also said that each time the firm goes to drill a new well they get “better and better” so that they might revise their stated well costs sometime in the future.

Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater—here's why -Pennsylvania's roughly 100,000 oil and gas wells produce wastewater that's many times saltier than seawater and contains radium, a known carcinogen. For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and on paved roads to melt ice.The state Department of Environmental Protection halted the practice in 2018, but residents continue to report oil and gas brine being spread in their communities. Now, a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection in May 2026 could open a new path for oil and gas well wastewater to be sold as a commercial product that road maintenance operators or snow removal businesses could purchase.William Burgos and Nathaniel Warner, professors of environmental engineering at Penn State, have spent years testing whether oil and gas brine actually works as a road dust suppressant. Road dust is an issue because fine particles generated by traffic can get into residents' lungs and cause respiratory issues. The dust also reduces visibility, which can lead to accidents. Burgos and Warner spoke with The Conversation U.S.'s Pittsburgh editor, Cassandra Stone, about what's in the brine, why it fails at the job it's supposed to do and what the new permit means for Pennsylvanians.

• What is oil and gas brine, and why is it being spread on Pennsylvania roads in the first place?
• Oil and gas wells produce a significant amount of water, called produced water or brine, along with the oil and gas they recover. In northwestern Pennsylvania, the ratio is around eight barrels of water per barrel of oil. The water is very salty—often 5–10 times as salty as seawater. It is generated from both conventional oil and gas wells and unconventional, or "fracked," gas wells—such as those used to extract natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection banned using brine from fracked gas wells for dust suppression or anti-icing in 2016 and issued a moratorium halting the road spreading of conventional oil and gas brine in 2018. Well operators had previously provided the brine to local townships for free.
• What's in this water, and what do we know about its health and environmental risks?
• Lots of calcium, sodium and chloride, but also radium—a radioactive element and known human carcinogen—as well as petroleum hydrocarbons and lead. Most of these contaminants wash off the road and end up in streams and sediments. The salt can harm fish and other wildlife and corrode bridges and automobiles. Salt from roads can also enter nearby drinking water wells.
• Why are conventional and fracked well brine treated differently?
• Geochemically, there is no obvious reason. Brines from conventional and unconventional wells are chemically very similar: Both are extremely salty and radioactive, and both contain heavy metals and organic contaminants. For example, in Pennsylvania, the combined activity of two radioactive forms of radium averaged 2,000 picocuries per liter in conventional oil and gas brine and 1,800 picocuries per liter in unconventional Marcellus Shale brine. There are numerous federal regulations from different agencies governing discharges of radium into the environment, but many do not directly apply to oil and gas wastes. The EPA tries to follow the principle that radioactivity exposure should be "as low as reasonably achievable," also known as ALARA. Its drinking water standard for combined radium activity is 5 picocuries per liter. Obviously, people are not drinking the oil and gas brine directly, but the problem is that we don't know where the radium ends up after the brine has been applied to the road. It mostly washes off with runoff, but radium dried onto the road could be remobilized as dust that someone inhales, or radium could accumulate in game fish eaten by fishermen. Operationally, unconventional gas wells produce much more water than conventional oil wells, which may be the reason for the additional restrictions on disposal options. Historically, the two industries emerged under very different rules. Environmental regulations were already in place in 2008 when the unconventional Marcellus Shale gas boom began, but conventional drilling dates to the Drake well in 1859—long before modern environmental oversight existed.
• How are these wastes regulated?
• Produced water is regulated by the Office of Oil and Gas Management within the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Most regulations rely on self-reporting by well operators. Operators of conventional wells are required to report the volumes of oil, gas and brine produced from each well every year. If an operator wants to classify its brine as a coproduct and use it for some purpose, it must submit a form to the department's Bureau of Waste Management. There are no requirements to measure radium concentrations or demonstrate that the brine works for its new intended use.
• Does oil and gas brine work as a dust suppressant?
• No. We designed multiple studies to determine whether oil and gas brine can suppress road dust. In the first, we used a laboratory method to measure the amount of dust generated from road material treated with various dust suppressants. Oil and gas brine was little or no more effective than rainwater—and in some cases, it even increased dust compared with rainwater. We also conducted large-scale laboratory experiments and found that most contaminants in oil and gas brine, such as radium, completely washed off treated roads after a typical rainstorm. More road material washed off roadbeds treated with oil and gas brine than those treated with calcium chloride, a commercial dust suppressant. Roads treated with oil and gas brine will not suppress dust, and they degrade faster and cost more to repair than those treated with plain water.
• What is the Department of Environmental Protection's new permit for, and why does it matter?
• In May 2026, the department issued a permit for a brine production well drilled into an oil and gas formation. This means that the same radioactive oil and gas brine wastewater could now be sold as a product from the well. The well operator is not yet required to demonstrate that it works for its intended use.
• How would road maintenance operators or snow removal businesses know if brine ends up in products they buy?
• They wouldn't. There are no required disclosures to inform consumers that the product was sourced from oil and gas brine.
• Is there anything currently happening about this issue in the state Legislature?
• On June 10, 2024, the Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill for a complete ban on road spreading of oil and gas brine. On June 8, 2026, the corresponding House Bill 84 was passed out of committee to the full House. Currently, there is no timeline for floor consideration.

Exclusive: Buffett’s EGTS Quietly Plans Project Stratum, All of It in PA -Marcellus Drilling News - Yesterday we told you about Project Oak Leaf, Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage’s (EGTS) 52.5-mile expansion that will carry Leidy gas down to Maryland and Virginia (see Buffett’s EGTS Plans 52.5-Mile Oak Leaf Pipe, Leidy Gas to MD/VA). The folks at EGTS emailed to say thanks for the coverage — and then mentioned, almost in passing, that they have another new project cooking in Pennsylvania. It’s called Project Stratum, and as best we can tell, MDN is the first outlet anywhere to write about it. We searched. Nothing in the trades, nothing in the local papers, nothing. So here you go.

Team looks to build $9.6B data center along I-71 in Kentucky - A development team is eyeing 550 acres in Kentucky between Cincinnati and Louisville for a $9.6 billion data center project. It's the latest proposal as the AI-related building boom – and the backlash against it – continues. The team, led by Louisville-based Poe Cos. and its partner, Virginia-based PowerHouse Data Centers, has secured options to purchase the acreage, which is located in Carroll County for the proposed Carrollton Industrial Campus. A news release describes it as a "multi-billion-dollar private investment" just east of Interstate 71, about 55 miles southwest of downtown Cincinnati.  The 550-acre Carrollton Industrial Campus would create 320 permanent positions with average wages of $105,000. The development team has secured purchase options and completed initial studies. So far the team, which is also developing an $11 billion data center in Southwest Louisville, has secured purchase options for the site, completed initial due diligence and site evaluation, conducted power studies and system impacts, and completed a draft economic analysis.

Kentucky Officials Grumble Over 12-Mile Pipe to Ohio Power Plant - Marcellus Drilling News -- Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, LP, wants to build the Dearborn County Lateral Project — roughly 12 miles of new 20-inch natural gas pipeline that begins at Texas Gas's existing system in Dearborn County, Indiana, dips south across the Ohio River into Boone County, Kentucky, then hops back over the river into Hamilton County, Ohio. The destination is Vistra Corp.'s Miami Fort Power Plant, a coal-fired station slated for shutdown until someone had the good sense to convert it to natural gas instead. The lateral would move 265,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of firm transportation service. A dekatherm is roughly one thousand cubic feet of gas, so call it about 265 MMcf/d (million cubic feet per day). Texas Gas filed with FERC in late May. Boone County leaders are not thrilled.

Kentucky Officials Oppose Texas Gas Pipeline Linking Indiana to Ohio - Boone County officials and residents are raising concerns over a proposed Texas Gas pipeline that would cross the Ohio River into Kentucky, citing questions about routing, environmental impacts and local benefits. (P&GJ) — Boone County officials and residents are voicing opposition to a proposed Texas Gas Transmission natural gas pipeline that would cross the Ohio River from Indiana into northern Kentucky before connecting to Vistra's Miami Fort Power Plant in Ohio, as first reported by WCPO. County leaders questioned the proposed route, saying the project provides little apparent benefit to Boone County while raising concerns about potential impacts on private property, water resources and the planning process. Residents who live near the proposed alignment also expressed worries about how construction could affect nearby water wells. Boardwalk Pipelines, the parent company of Texas Gas Transmission, said the project would not involve hydraulic fracturing and that protecting water resources is a key part of its planning. The company also said the route was selected after evaluating environmental constraints, nearby homes and other engineering considerations. According to WCPO, Boone County officials also criticized what they described as limited communication during the project's early stages. Boardwalk said it began outreach with local officials in late 2025 and is encouraging the public to submit comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before the close of the agency's current comment period. The proposed Dearborn County Lateral Project would connect Texas Gas' existing pipeline system in Dearborn County, Indiana, to the Miami Fort Power Plant in Hamilton County, Ohio, as part of the federal permitting process.

Kentucky residents, officials push back on Indiana gas pipeline over wells, eminent domain -- A proposed project that would build a natural gas pipeline from Indiana to Ohio is receiving pushback from residents and town officials.  Approximately 2.9 miles of the 12-mile interstate pipeline would be in Boone County, Kentucky. This could impact wells, groundwater, and Boone County's emergency response teams, should anything happen to the pipeline. Texas Gas Transmission, an Owensboro-based subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, is seeking to build the Dearborn County Lateral Project sometime in 2027 if approved, northern Kentucky newspaper LINK nky reported. While most of the route would be in Indiana, those 2.9 miles would cross the Ohio River.  The 20-inch-diameter pipeline is intended to help supply the Miami Fort Power Plant in Hamilton County, Ohio, which is owned by Irving, Texas-based Vistra Corp. The project's web page says it could move up to 265,000 dekatherms of natural gas per day and would also include a new measurement and flow-control station, along with other support facilities. Concern surfaced publicly at the July 14 Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, where Petersburg resident Penny Morris said neighbors are worried about water resources and community safety."Although the pipeline may not cross my property, it has the potential to affect my community," Morris said, according to LINK nky. "Petersburg residents depend on the Ohio River and local groundwater resources, and many households rely on private wells for their drinking water." Boone County residents have questioned if the line could negatively impact their community, especially since they are not directly using the pipeline. "It doesn't benefit Boone County at all," Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand said at the Boone County meeting, according to LINK nky. Beyond the local concerns, fossil fuel infrastructure can harm communities long before any accident occurs, Amnesty International reported. Coal and natural gas power plants contribute to air and water pollution.New gas infrastructure can also prolong dependence on fuels associated with health, environmental, and price-volatility risks.Federal regulators are reviewing the proposal through an environmental analysis at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the National Environmental Policy Act. The environmental scoping comment period stayed open until July 27, and even if the project wins approval, construction is not expected to start before spring 2027. County staff has already filed comments about the route and its environmental effects, Boone County Engineer Rob Franxman told LINK nky, as well as objections to using eminent domain on private land.The fiscal court also backed a motion to prepare a formal letter to federal representatives and regulators opposing the pipeline's expansion into Kentucky."We are prepared to take and put letters to the U.S. and put it to any representatives and districts that we have to go through to voice our concerns, because this directly affects us as residents," Morris said.

Antero Midstream Bets Big on WV Power Demand with East Side Express - Marcellus Drilling News - Antero Midstream Corporation (AM) posted second quarter 2026 results on Tuesday and held its analyst call yesterday morning. A quick word on the corporate plumbing for newer readers: Antero Midstream and Antero Resources (AR) are two separate publicly traded companies that share a management team. AR drills the wells; AM gathers, compresses and moves the gas and handles the water. Different shareholders, same brain trust. The headline number is a good one. AM gathered 4.1 Bcf/d (billion cubic feet per day) during the quarter, a 19% jump year over year and a company record. Compression volumes rose 17%. Most of that growth came from the HG Midstream assets AM bought earlier this year and has now fully digested. Processing and fractionation capacity at AM’s joint venture ran at 100% utilization — you can’t do better than full.

Ethane Leads July Petchem Margins as Natural Gasoline Falls | RBN Energy -Net petchem margins have strengthened in July 2026 for ethane, propane and butane. Ethane remains the highest-margin feedstock, averaging about 14¢/lb so far for July, up 7% from 13¢/lb in June and on par with a year ago. Propane is averaging about 7¢/lb, up 154% from 3¢/lb in June and more than three times the 2¢/lb average a year ago. Butane is averaging about 2¢/lb, up from 1¢/lb in June but in line with the year-ago level. Natural gasoline is averaging -18¢/lb, compared with -14¢/lb in June and -7¢/lb a year ago, widening the margin gap between natural gasoline and the other NGL-based feedstocks.

U.S. Propane Inventories Rise as Production Trends Lower | RBN Energy - The EIA reported a 2.5-MMbbl build in total U.S. propane/propylene inventories for the week ended July 24, about 510 Mbbl above industry expectations for a build of approximately 2 MMbbl. Total stocks increased to 102.3 MMbbl (red line in the chart below), the highest level recorded for the same reporting week. Inventories are now 18.8 MMbbl, or 23%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line), 13.7 MMbbl, or 15%, above the previous five-year maximum, and 24.8 MMbbl, or 32%, above the five-year average (green line). Most of the nationwide build occurred in PADD 3 (Gulf Coast), where propane inventories rose by 2.2 MMbbl to a record 67 MMbbl (red line in the chart below). PADD 3 accounted for nearly 90% of the total U.S. increase. Inventories in the region are now 16.7 MMbbl, or 33%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line), 14.4 MMbbl, or 27%, above the previous five-year maximum, and 22.6 MMbbl, or 51%, above the five-year average (green line).While total U.S. and PADD 3 inventories moved higher, propane/propylene production continued its recent decline. Production decreased by 10 Mb/d to about 2.88 MMb/d (red line in the chart below), marking the third consecutive weekly decrease. Production is now down 4% from its early-June peak but remains 2% above both year-ago levels (blue line) and the previous five-year maximum.

NFG’s Line N Balloons to 294,000 Dth/d; Seneca Buys Up Tioga Acreage Marcellus Drilling News - National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) — the Williamsville, NY company that drills (Seneca Resources), pipes (NFG Supply Corporation, Empire), and sells gas at the meter (NFG Distribution Corp) — issued its fiscal third quarter update Wednesday evening and talked it over with analysts Thursday morning. NFG’s fiscal year ends September 30, so their “third quarter” is everyone else’s second quarter (April–June). There’s a lot in here for Marcellus/Utica watchers, but two items stand out: Supply Corporation more than tripled the size of its Line N System Upgrade Project, and Seneca is about to start writing big checks to landowners in Tioga County.

Antis Get a Do-Over for Iroquois Compressor Permit in Connecticut -  In March, we brought you the news that a Connecticut Superior Court judge tossed a lawsuit filed by Big Green group Save the Sound and the colluding Town of Brookfield, telling them their attempt to stop the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) from ruling on the Iroquois compressor permit was premature (see Judge Tosses Premature Lawsuit to Block Iroquois CT Compressor). The judge said, in effect, wait until DEEP issues a final permit, then appeal. Final permits were expected “sometime in March.” It’s now late July. There are still no final permits. And DEEP has just handed the antis exactly the thing a judge said they’d have to wait for — and then some.

Buffett’s EGTS Plans 52.5-Mile Oak Leaf Pipe, Leidy Gas to MD/VA - Marcellus Drilling News - There’s a brand-new pipeline project on the board for our region, and it’s a good one. Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage (EGTS) — a BHE GT&S company, which means it ultimately belongs to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy — is proposing Project Oak Leaf, a 52.5-mile expansion of its PL-1 system that will move an extra 250,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of natural gas from Clinton County, Pennsylvania down to customers in Maryland and Virginia. (A dekatherm is a heat measurement roughly equal to one thousand cubic feet of gas, so call it about 250 MMcf/d — 250 million cubic feet per day.) EGTS plans to file its application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the fourth quarter of this year, with construction starting in early 2028 and gas flowing by the end of 2029. The Frederick (MD) News-Post picked up the story yesterday. Four public open houses are already on the calendar, the first one next week.

TGP Launches Open Season to Flow More M-U Molecules South - Marcellus Drilling News - Add another name to the growing list of pipeline projects chasing Northeast Marcellus/Utica gas: Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP), a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, launched a non-binding open season on July 13 for its proposed 219 South Project. The idea is to grab gas from as far north as TGP's Station 219 Pool in Pennsylvania (Zone 4) and move it south through Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee — up to 530,000 Dth/d (that's dekatherms per day, roughly equivalent to 530 Mcf/d). TGP says demand along its "200 Line," the backbone connecting Pennsylvania to Tennessee, is growing fast enough to justify testing shipper appetite now. If it goes forward, in-service is targeted for December 1, 2029. The open season runs through August 13. Below are the key details, straight from TGP's posting.

Enbridge NC Pipe Update: Landowner Settles, Greens Swarm Open House -Marcellus Drilling News -  Back in May, we told you about a new 28-mile intrastate natural gas pipeline Enbridge Gas North Carolina (EGNC) wants to build in Chatham and Lee counties, running from Siler City southeast to Moncure (see Enbridge Plans New 28-Mile Gas Pipe in Chatham & Lee Counties in NC). At the time, we had almost no details. Three months later, we have plenty — including an answer to the question we couldn’t answer in May: which regulator actually blesses this thing? The short answer: none of them, at least not the way you’d expect.

Duke Picks Davie County for 2 Gas Plants, Davidson for LNG Facility - Marcellus Drilling News -  In January, MDN broke the news that Duke Energy was eyeing a 1,360-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant on 1,600 acres in Davidson County, North Carolina (see Duke Energy Considers 1,360-MW Gas Plant for Davidson County, NC). In April, we updated it: Duke actually wanted two such plants, and had a second candidate site directly across the Yadkin River in Davie County (see Duke Energy Considers 2 New Large Gas-Fired Power Plants in NC). Duke said back then that a final decision wouldn’t come until late 2026 or early 2027. Surprise! The decision landed today, and Duke didn’t pick one site over the other. It’s using both.

Ameren's 2.1-GW Gas Plant Falls Short of Data Center Power Demand Ameren says its planned 2.1-GW West Alton Energy Center is a key step toward meeting rising electricity demand but will not fully close the projected capacity gap driven by data center growth in Missouri. (Reuters) — Ameren's planned mega gas plant for the Midwest will still leave the utility short of the power and reserves needed to meet surging data center demand, the company's own analysis showed ahead of a key approval process next month. The projected shortfall highlights mounting strain on U.S. power grids as data center demand grows faster than the generation and transmission capacity needed to support it. St. Louis-based Ameren's urgency for the project is acute after signing contracts this year to provide electricity to data centers in development by Amazon and Alphabet's Google in rural Missouri. Ameren AEE.N says the 2,100-megawatt West Alton Energy Center is necessary, but would not fully restore the reserve cushion needed to meet projected demand. The project is planned for a site next to a coal plant on the banks of the Mississippi River about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of St. Louis. "The company's resource capacity still falls well short of the total demand" and planned reserve margin, Ameren Director of Corporate Analysis Matt Michels said in July 24 testimony filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission. An August 20 prehearing conference will kick off the regulatory process for Ameren to obtain approval to construct the power plant. Ameren estimates the plant would come online in late 2031. But Ameren's capacity shortfall in the winter of 2032, for example, would equal about 1,500 MW and grow to about 2,300 MW the following year, Michels said in his testimony. Ameren executives say the utility also will build capacity by enhancing existing power sources, developing solar and battery energy storage sites and purchasing power from the regional grid. Ameren's service area falls within the Midcontinent ISO, which manages the flow of electricity for a territory that includes all or part of 15 U.S. states in the Midwest and South. The total return on Ameren's stock over the past 12 months is 12.7%, outpacing the 8.4% for the S&P 500 Utilities Sector .SPLRCU, as investors anticipate strong earnings growth over the next decade. "Ameren anticipates more than $70 billion of additional investment opportunities over the next 10 years, providing a long runway of growth," Morningstar analyst Andrew Bischof wrote this week in a research note. "The most attractive opportunities are supporting data center development in Illinois and Missouri, new generation in Missouri, modernizing the grid in Illinois and Missouri, and transmission expansion across the Midcontinent electric grid," Bischof said.

Chesapeake Utilities Plans $1.2B South Florida Pipe – Ohio Angle - Marcellus Drilling News - Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) and its subsidiary Peninsula Pipeline Company (PPC) announced on July 13 a new intrastate natural gas pipeline project in South Florida called the Florida Energy Pathway, or FEP. The line will be 24 inches in diameter, running from Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade County. It’s already anchored by firm commitments of nearly 250,000 dekatherms per day from multiple investment-grade shippers. (A dekatherm, or Dth, is a heat measurement roughly equal to a thousand cubic feet of natural gas — so think of it as about 250 MMcf/d, or 250 million cubic feet per day.) Upstream supply will come courtesy of Florida Gas Transmission’s Phase IX expansion. The price tag is around $1.2 billion, with an in-service date of 2030. Chesapeake plans to sell off up to 49% of the project to one or more partners. CEO Jeff Householder pinned the need on Florida’s booming population, its growing economy, and “significant energy supply constraints” in the south Florida market.

FERC Issues Final EIS for Boardwalk Pipe Carrying M-U Gas to SE -Marcellus Drilling News -  In April, we brought you the news that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) had issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project (see FERC Issues DEIS for Boardwalk Pipe to Carry M-U Gas to Southeast). In June, we followed up with word that Boardwalk is dangling temporary capacity on the line during the gap between when the pipe can flow and when its anchor customer actually starts taking gas (see Boardwalk Offers Temporary Capacity Along Pipeline to Southeast). Now comes the next big milestone. Last Friday, FERC staff issued the final EIS (FEIS) for the $1 billion project. Kosciusko Junction — run by Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines — will lay 110.9 miles of new 36-inch pipe across nine Mississippi counties and take over 98 miles of existing pipe from sister company Texas Gas Transmission. It’s built to move 1.16 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of gas, expandable to 1.58 Bcf/d, from the Marcellus/Utica, Haynesville, and Fayetteville plays to power-hungry Southeast markets.

Go Outside – How Much Natural Gas Will Reach the Southeast Following These Big New Projects? | RBN Energy -One of the seminal energy-related political controversies of the past decade was the construction of Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Before entering service in June 2024, the 2-Bcf/d pipeline project faced a number of regulatory hurdles and went through countless rounds of litigation, ultimately culminating in a high-profile Senate showdown. Since becoming fully operational, MVP has filled up seasonally in the winter, but much of its capacity has remained unused in the shoulder season because of constraints downstream on Transco, frustrating an Appalachian market that yearns for growth. Now, three new projects aim to debottleneck Transco and get more gas flowing to the Southeast: Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement as well as MVP Southgate and MVP Boost, both of which are being developed by the co-owners of MVP. But beyond nameplate capacity numbers, how much will these projects really enable gas to go outside the Northeast and find new markets? In today’s RBN blog, we will discuss the impact of these projects and estimate their impact on future flows into North Carolina and beyond.We have been tracking these projects for some time now, both in our weekly NATGAS Appalachia report and in recent blogs like Don’t Stop Believin’. To recap, the Southeast Supply Enhancement (SSE) comprises 55 miles of pipeline looping and other improvements that will add 1.6 Bcf/d of capacity to Williams Cos.’ Transcontinental Pipeline (Transco) along three paths, each extending south from Station 165: to Station 160 in Rockingham County, NC (Path 1; dashed pink line in Figure 1 below); to Station 145 in Cleveland County, NC (Path 2; dashed purple line); and the Station 85 Zone 4 Pool in Choctaw County, AL (Path 3; dashed red line). SSE had its certificate approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this past January and is expected to be fully in service in the second half of 2027, although Williams management has stated its desire to get some gas to North Carolina ahead of schedule and before the full compression is installed.An overlapping project with a different owner is MVP Southgate (short dashed blue line in Figure 1), a 31-mile pipeline that would run south from Station 165 to Rockingham County, NC, and transport up to 550 MMcf/d to Enbridge Gas North Carolina (formerly Public Service Co. of North Carolina) and Duke Energy, the owner/operator of several gas-fired power plants in the region. The Southgate extension — being developed by MVP co-owners PipeBox (itself a joint venture between EQT and Blackstone Credit and Insurance; 53%), NextEra Energy (31%), AltaGas (10%), Ares Management (4%) and RGC Resources (1%) — has also received FERC approval, and developers hope to bring the pipeline online in 2027 according to EQT’s earnings call last week. As an important corollary to Southgate, the MVP Boost project will increase capacity on the existing MVP pipeline by 600 MMcf/d through four additional compression stations in West Virginia and Virginia. MVP Boost is scheduled to be completed in mid-2028.So now, we arrive at the main question: How much incremental natural gas will go outside Appalachia and reach booming markets in the Southeast as a result of these projects? After all, the reason they are needed is that the full promise of the original MVP has never truly been fulfilled — there are only a few months each year when the pipeline flows at its current 2-Bcf/d capacity, and during those periods it is partially displacing gas that would have headed south out of Northeast Pennsylvania on the old Transco. The reason MVP does not typically flow at full capacity is because of constraints at Transco’s Station 165 in Pittsylvania County, VA. Flows south of Station 165 (yellow box in Figure 2 below) cannot exceed 2.6 Bcf/d over a sustained period. Most of the southbound flow from Station 165 comes from MVP, but since Northeast Pennsylvania gas is not being used to heat in-region furnaces during non-winter months, it rushes south and crowds out some of the gas that might otherwise come from MVP.Southgate and SSE each promise to increase takeaway capacity starting at the Station 165 bottleneck. Combined, they could increase southbound flows by up to 2.15 Bcf/d. So the bottleneck problem is solved, and both MVP and the northeast segment of Transco can flow at their own maximum capacity, right?Unfortunately, Station 165 is not the only bottleneck affecting Transco. Before the glut of gas hitting Southern Virginia created an issue there, Transco was already bottlenecked at Station 195 (orange box in Figure 2). That station is way up north by the Pennsylvania-Maryland border (famously known as the Mason-Dixon line), and it constrained flows from Northeast Pennsylvania southbound in the era before MVP. It is hard to find a record of exactly what the capacity constraint is at Station 195, but we can estimate its effect on southbound flows by looking at how much gas moved south into North Carolina in the years before MVP was operational.Gas flows from Transco into North Carolina maxed out at around 2.4 Bcf/d before MVP was placed into service. With this knowledge and recent usage trends on Transco in the Northeast, we can estimate how much capacity is available to flow to the Southeast from Northeast Pennsylvania, given the existing constraint. The amount is highly dependent on the season — roughly 0.4 Bcf/d in meteorological spring, 0.6 Bcf/d in summer, 0.3 Bcf/d in fall and 0.9 Bcf/d in winter. (Meteorological seasons divide the year using whole months; i.e., March, April and May for spring.)Now that we know roughly how much Northeast Pennsylvania capacity is available to flow southbound, we can turn our attention to the other side of the equation — the gas from West Virginia and Southwest Pennsylvania that will move south on MVP. In very rough terms, MVP is flowing near its capacity in winter and at 1.5 Bcf/d during the other nine months of the year. MVP Southgate will increase the takeaway potential on the route to 2 Bcf/d by mid-2027. But then the previously noted MVP Boost comes online in late 2028 and increases takeaway capacity to 2.6 Bcf/d. We assume the pipeline has a maintenance schedule and won’t run at full capacity, but given previous performance, it could probably send out 2.5 Bcf/d for extended periods.Relative to what MVP is already flowing, this is an increase of 0.5 Bcf/d in winter flows and an extra 1 Bcf/d at all other times. That is a hefty increase in potential utilization for MVP, which is currently averaging 1.7 Bcf/d annually. This will help fulfill the promise made when MVP was approved, providing a steady conduit for production to leave Appalachia. And MVP’s tariff charges shippers for capacity, not transportation, so they have every incentive to flow until the pipeline is full.The result is shown in Figure 3 below. The incremental amount of gas that can leave the Appalachian Basin on the two expansions fluctuates seasonally, but averages around 1.4 Bcf/d. The amount of incremental gas that is able to exit Northeast Pennsylvania on the Transco mainline is represented in orange. This is the amount that is still constrained by the bottleneck at Station 195. The blue area in Figure 3 represents the incremental gas that will be able to flow on MVP after MVP Boost and the completion of the two debottlenecking projects. The overall opportunity for more production will be greatest in the summer and lowest in the fall but consistently exceed 1.3 Bcf/d. Note that we are taking no position on how much of this incremental gas enters North Carolina on Southgate and how much travels on Transco SSE. The market and shippers will determine how that shakes out. But the completion of SSE and Southgate offers an opportunity for Appalachian natural gas production to expand by a significant amount, not only to feed rising Northeast demand, but to go outside and move gas to another region where demand is also growing quickly.

15 Dem AGs Rush to Defend Pipeline Cost Limits Frozen Since 2006 - Marcellus Drilling News - Back in May we told you about FERC’s proposal to modernize its natural gas “blanket certificate” program (see FERC Seeks to Fast-Track Gas Infrastructure with Blanket Permits). We called it a REALLY big deal. Turns out 15 Democrat attorneys general agree with us. They just don’t like it. The comment deadline in Docket No. RM25-12-001 was this past Monday (July 27). Right on cue, the AGs from 14 states plus the District of Columbia filed a joint comment letter telling FERC to drop the plan. Washington AG Nick Brown and Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell co-led the effort. The rest of the roll call: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and D.C. Read More

Expand Energy Corporation to Acquire Twin Eagle, Creating North America’s Leading Integrated Natural Gas Company - Expand Energy Corporation, the largest natural gas producer in North America, announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Twin Eagle Holdings, N.A., a leading private asset-backed natural gas marketing and optimization business, for $1.25 billion from Five Point Infrastructure. The transaction is subject to typical purchase price adjustments, including working capital, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals. The Company expects to fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The transaction unites Expand’s industry-leading supply and financial strength with Twin Eagle’s premier physical marketing platform, creating a fully integrated natural gas company positioned to capture value across the entire chain in key U.S. and Canadian markets. Twin Eagle’s earnings are primarily supported by recurring physical supply and delivery relationships, asset-backed portfolio optimization, and experienced commercial, logistics and operating capabilities, consistently delivering earnings growth across a wide range of market conditions. “This transaction accelerates Expand’s evolution into a leading integrated natural gas company with a commercial and marketing advantage compared to peers,” said Michael Wichterich, Expand Energy’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re already North America’s largest natural gas producer, and now we’ll be its leading gas marketer, with direct access to customers and structural demand growth. By combining Expand’s scale, resource depth and financial strength with Twin Eagle’s marketing and optimization platform, we’ll capture additional margin across the natural gas value chain and deliver more durable shareholder returns.”
Founded in 2010, Twin Eagle has established itself as one of the leading independent natural gas and power marketers in North America. Its business spans wholesale marketing, asset management, structuring and analytics, logistics and market intelligence.
“This powerful combination pairs Expand’s enviable financial position and large, lower-cost natural gas supply with the talented team and marketing platform we have spent the past 16 years developing. We thank Five Point Infrastructure for their partnership and vision over the last dozen years. Together, with our new partner, we can create additional value in ways neither company could have accomplished on its own.”“We saw a tremendous opportunity to partner with Twin Eagle management to expand its platform and capitalize on the growing demand for North American gas,” said David Capobianco, CEO and Managing Partner of Five Point Infrastructure. “Twin Eagle has generated exceptional returns for all stakeholders, while solidifying its standing as one of the leading independent asset-backed natural gas marketing and optimization platforms. We wish Jeremy and the team all the best as they move forward in partnership with Expand.” Today, Twin Eagle markets more than 5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas and manages roughly 44 Bcf of storage capacity and approximately 2 Bcf/d of firm transportation. It serves more than 1,000 customers across a diversified footprint spanning the U.S. and Canada. On a pro forma basis, the combined portfolio will have approximately 14 Bcf/d of marketed volume supported by roughly 9 Bcf/d of firm transportation and 49 Bcf of storage capacity. The combination does more than add scale, it will enhance how Expand creates value by:
  - Accelerating the Company’s Marketing and Commercial strategy. The Company now expects to deliver $750 million per year of incremental free cash flow from its marketing and commercial strategy. This is an increase of 50% from its previous target, reflecting the value of the new integrated platform and the repeatable earnings of Twin Eagle.
  - Expanding customer and market reach to capture greater value from every molecule. The acquisition will broaden access to premium demand centers across the U.S. and Canada, reaching approximately 90% of the natural gas market. The combined production, transportation and storage capacity will enable the Company offer additional reliability and flexibility to respond to customers’ needs and provide optimization opportunities.
  - Leveraging scale and financial strength. Expand’s diversified portfolio and financial strength will elevate Twin Eagle’s asset-backed natural gas marketing and optimization business, enabling the combined business to extend contract terms, attract additional high-quality customers, and reach high-value markets.
  - Adding experienced team with highly successful track record. Since its inception, Twin Eagle has consistently grown cash flows by leveraging its natural gas market expertise and effective risk management. Following the close of the merger, Twin Eagle will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Expand, with key members of Twin Eagle’s management, including Jeremy Davis, continuing with the Company after closing.

Middle Man – Expand Energy, Already a Giant, Broadens Its Scope and Reach With Twin Eagle Deal | RBN Energy -It’s unusual, to say the least, for an energy-industry acquisition valued at “only” $1.25 billion to be transformational. But that’s surely the case with Expand Energy’s newly announced purchase of Twin Eagle Holdings, which will make Expand — the largest natural gas producer in the U.S. — the nation’s #1 gas marketing and optimization firm as well. The deal, expected to close in Q3 2026, also will dramatically increase the marketing reach of Expand, whose approximately 7.5 Bcfe/d of production is focused on two major shale plays: the Marcellus/Utica and the Haynesville. In today’s RBN blog, we discuss the transaction and its far-reaching implications.Before we look at the deal and the significance of Expand Energy’s growing role in gas marketing, we’ll provide thumbnail sketches of both Expand and Twin Eagle.  As we said in Finally, the then-newly named Expand Energy emerged from the October 2024 combination of Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy, two upstream companies that — after a series of strategic missteps in the 2010s — righted themselves in the early 2020s and became very logical merger partners, each with major holdings in Appalachia and the Haynesville. In 2026, Expand expects to produce an average of about 3.2 Bcfe/d in the Haynesville, 2.675 Bcfe/d in the “dry” Marcellus in northeastern Pennsylvania and 1.625 Bcfe/d in the “wet” Marcellus/Utica in southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio. Novi Labs, RBN’s corporate parent, said in a recent note that the Chesapeake/Southwestern combination “effectively consolidated the core of the (Haynesville) play,” providing Expand with about 36 million lateral feet of remaining inventory, equivalent to about 32 years of production at the 2025 drilling cadence. Expand has about 27 million lateral feet remaining in the dry Marcellus — ~19 years of inventory at the 2025 pace — and in the wet Marcellus/Utica it has ~ 24 years of inventory. Just as important, the NPV25 median breakeven for Expand’s overall asset base is an enviable $2.77/Mcf: a rock-bottom $2.56/Mcf in the Haynesville and a highly competitive $3.06/Mcf and $3.10/Mcf in the dry Marcellus and wet Marcellus/Utica, respectively. (NPV25 refers to net present value with a 25% discount; in other words, the price at which the investment would earn a 25% internal rate of return, or IRR.)When the Chesapeake/Southwestern merger was consummated, the folks at Expand Energy said the deal would give them a platform to increase their gas marketing activities and reach more markets. According to data compiled by our friends at Natural Gas Intelligence (NGI), Expand was the 11th-largest gas seller in 2025, with FERC Form 552 sales of 5 trillion btu/day (Tbtu/d; dark-blue bar segment to center-right in Figure 1 below). (Form 552 sales refer to wholesale sales of physical natural gas executed at commercial trading hubs or pipeline points where gas is bought, sold and traded before it reaches a final end user.) Expand also posted 4 Tbtu/d of mostly retail “non-Form 552” sales to commercial & industrial (C&I) and other customers (extension of bar segment outlined by dashed dark-blue line). Most of Expand’s marketed volumes were associated with its equity production.Twin Eagle, a gas marketing and optimization firm backed by private-equity investor Five Point Infrastructure, is among a handful of important “intermediary marketers” — the pure-play merchants of the U.S. gas market that have no gas production of their own. Instead, their business is built primarily on portfolio optimization: aggregating supply, serving demand, and capturing the value created by managing the midstream assets (gas pipelines and gas storage facilities) between them. In 2025, Twin Eagle’s Form 552 sales averaged 4.7 Tbtu/d (dark-blue bar segment to far right in Figure 1) and its non-Form 552 sales averaged 0.3 Tbtu/d. Other large intermediary marketers include Tenaska — currently the largest U.S. gas marketer, with 2025 wholesale sales of 9.3 Tbtu/d (left-most gray bar) — Koch (6.3 Tbtu/d), Citadel (5.3 Tbtu/d) and Vitol (5.2 Tbtu/d).The pro forma company, with Twin Eagle as a subsidiary of Expand Energy, would have posted about 14 Tbtu/d of gas sales last year: 9.7 Tbtu/d in Form 552/wholesale sales (medium-blue bar segment to far left) plus 4.3 Tbtu/d of mostly retail, non-Form 552 sales to C&I and other customers.Put simply, the merchant wholesale gas marketer sits in the middle of the value chain between the supply side and the demand side — hence the “Middle Man” title of today’s blog. The focus of companies like Twin Eagle is on logistics optimization, monetizing physical gas transportation, taking advantage of optionality, and making money on the differences in prices between Point A and Point B. Figure 2 below helps to illustrate how it all works. Key for a merchant marketer is the breadth of its portfolio of transportation/transmission capacity on gas pipelines, gas storage capacity, counterparty relationships, risk management capability and credit capacity (blue oval in center of Figure 2 above), because these tools allow them to quickly and efficiently respond to upstream and downstream market forces. As shown by the blue arrows to the left, the marketer secures the natural gas it needs from a combo of supply contracts with producers, spot purchases and asset management agreements (AMAs) with producers and storage owners. AMAs are arrangements under which an asset owner transfers the day-to-day operational control and optimization of its gas assets to an experienced third-party gas marketer or trading desk. Similarly, as shown by the blue arrows to the right, the marketer employs sales contracts, spot sales, and demand-side and storage AMAs to dispose of the gas it has secured. (An upcoming blog will discuss AMAs in detail.)Transmission rights (i.e., capacity on gas pipelines) and rights to gas storage capacity are essential elements of a gas marketer’s portfolio and, as shown in Figure 3 below, Expand Energy (stock symbol EXE) and Twin Eagle have them in spades. As you would expect, a substantial portion of Expand’s 7 Bcf/d of pipeline transmission rights (blue lines) and 5 Bcf of storage capacity (blue triangles) relate to the natural gas the E&P produces in its key production areas — the Marcellus/Utica and the Haynesville (dark-blue-shaded areas in Appalachia and Texas/Louisiana) — and markets to wholesale and retail customers in the Northeast, the Midwest and the Gulf Coast. Twin Eagle’s 2 Bcf/d of gas pipeline rights and 44 Bcf of gas storage capacity (red lines and red triangles, respectively) are more far-reaching, stretching from coast to coast in the U.S. and into Canada. The combination of Expand Energy’s production and gas marketing assets with Twin Eagle’s continental reach (and vast gas storage rights in Appalachia and the Midwest) are likely to create a Tenaska-plus type of marketer — and one with strong production bases near major gas-consuming markets. As we’ve discussed in many blogs over the past couple of years, new LNG export terminals are coming online in Texas and Louisiana, as are new gas-fired power plants (many of them serving new data centers) in those two Gulf Coast states as well as in the Northeast and Midwest.Expand Energy put it this way in announcing the Twin Eagle deal on July 27: “The acquisition will broaden access to premium demand centers across the U.S. and Canada, reaching approximately 90% of the natural gas market. The combined production, transportation and storage capacity will enable the company to offer additional reliability and flexibility to respond to customers’ needs and provide optimization opportunities.”Lastly, we should emphasize what should be obvious, namely that there’s a sizable element of risk in what merchant marketers do — risk that can enable them to make vast amounts of money when things go right but also the possibility to lose when things go wrong. That’s manageable to a degree, of course, but sometimes it’s enough to scare off some energy-industry players from getting involved too deeply.As we said earlier, there’s a lot more to gas marketing than we have room to discuss here. We’ll take a deeper dive on that fascinating topic in a future blog.

U.S. LNG Feedgas Demand Continues to Rise | RBN Energy -U.S. LNG feedgas demand increased last week, with most terminals operating at or near full capacity. The primary exception is Freeport, where ongoing planned maintenance combined with a series of unplanned outages this month has continued to suppress intake.Feedgas last week averaged 17.6 Bcf/d, up 0.32 Bcf/d week over week, according to our  LNG Voyager Weekly Report. Demand was largely unaffected by Hurricane Bertha, which made landfall in Louisiana on July 22 before moving into Texas the next day.While Freeport intake has improved modestly, the terminal remains below full utilization. Portions of the terminal are expected to be offline for maintenance through early August, and unplanned disruptions have reduced flows (see dark blue section below).Sabine Pass rebounded following maintenance on the Creole Trail Pipeline, its primary header system. Corpus Christi continues to post strong intake levels as Stage III completes its ramp-up. At Golden Pass, commissioning volumes held steady at about 320 MMcf/d. This is below the feedgas requirements expected at full operations.

Argent LNG Clears Early DOE Export Milestone for Louisiana Project - Argent LNG has passed an early regulatory milestone for the proposed Louisiana export project with a US Department of Energy (DOE) authorization to ship up to 25 Mt/y of LNG to free trade agreement (FTA) countries while broader international exports remain pending. At a Glance:

• DOE clears exports to FTA nations
• Non-FTA authorization remains under review
• FERC construction approval still lies ahead

Baker Hughes Secures Technology Order For Venture Global'S Cp2 LNG Expansion - Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, has announced a major order, booked in 2Q26, from Venture Global LNG to provide a comprehensive liquefaction solution for its CP2 LNG expansion project in Louisiana. The award builds on the companies’ established master equipment supply agreement, and the scope includes six liquefaction blocks for a total of 12 liquefaction modules. Each block is based on two single mixed-refrigerant liquefaction modules and related compression trains featuring Baker Hughes' centrifugal compressor technology, as well as cold boxes, air coolers, and integrated control systems. “Baker Hughes has been a trusted partner across our LNG developments, and we are pleased to extend this collaboration as we advance the next phase of CP2,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global. “We are proud to continue providing the critical LNG technologies that enable Venture Global to deliver reliable, affordable and flexible energy needed to meet growing global demand,” said Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO, Lorenzo Simonelli. “Our continued collaboration reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to scaling modular LNG solutions that accelerate US supply and support global energy security.”

Freeport LNG Feedgas Rebounds After Train 1 Shutdown - Pipeline and Gas Journal - Natural gas deliveries to Freeport LNG increased after a compressor issue shut one liquefaction train, offering an early sign of recovery at one of the world's largest LNG export facilities. (Reuters) — Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas was on track to take in more natural gas on July 24 after one of three liquefaction trains shut on July 23, according to a company report and data from financial firm LSEG. Freeport is one of the world's most closely watched liquefied natural gas export plants because the shutdown and startup of the facility previously caused massive price swings in global gas markets. When Freeport shuts, U.S. gas prices usually drop because the plant's demand for the fuel declines, and when liquefaction trains at Freeport restart, U.S. gas prices typically rise as demand for the fuel increases. That is what happened so far on July 24 with U.S. gas futures NGc1 trading up around 1% due in part to the increased feedgas to Freeport. Freeport told Texas environmental regulators on July 24 that Train 1 shut on July 23 due to an issue with a compressor system. LSEG data showed that gas flows to Freeport were on track to rise to 1.3 billion cubic feet per day on July 24, up from 0.9 billion cubic feet per day on July 23. Since July 10, Freeport had been pulling in an average of just 1.0 billion cubic feet per day of gas during maintenance work expected to last until late August. The three liquefaction trains at Freeport are capable of turning about 2.4 billion cubic feet per day of gas into LNG. One billion cubic feet of gas is enough to supply about 5 million U.S. homes for a day.

Corpus Christi Train 7 Feedgas Approval Advances Final Ramp-Up  --Corpus Christi LNG has received federal authorization to introduce feedgas to the warm end of Midscale Train 7, advancing commissioning of the final unit in Cheniere Energy’s Stage 3 expansion. The train is expected to add roughly 186 MMcf/d of feedgas demand once fully operational, based on the seven-train project's combined nameplate capacity of about 1.3 Bcf/d. Train 7 commissioning began in late June, and Cheniere and Bechtel have typically achieved first LNG within four to six weeks of startup on the earlier Stage 3 units. Feedgas nominations to the terminal averaged 2.53 Bcf/d over the past seven days, up 6.1% from the prior week, according to NGI'sEntropic Analytics data.

Iran War Risk Keeps US LNG Cargo Values Near Three-Year Highs --Global natural gas prices pulled back Monday after surging alongside renewed fighting in Iran, but persistent maritime risk and tight European fundamentals kept US LNG cargo values near their highest level in more than three years.  At a Glance:
Maritime risk keeps LNG premiums elevated
US cargo values reach 2023 high
TTF retreats after five-day rally

US Natural Gas Prices Fall 4% to 11-Week Low on Record Output - (Reuters) – U.S. natural gas futures slid about 4% to an 11-week low on Monday on record output, lower flows to liquefied natural gas export plants, and ample amounts of gas in storage. Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 10.4 cents, or 3.6%, to settle at $2.767 per million British thermal units. The contract fell to its lowest level since May 7 earlier in the session. That also pushed the contract into technically oversold territory for the first time since mid-July. With futures down more than 15% so far this month, speculators last week boosted their net short futures and options positions on the NYMEX and Intercontinental Exchange to their highest levels since March 2024, according to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Commitments of Traders report. Looking ahead, the premium of futures for September over August rose to a record high for a third day in a row, a sign that the market does not seem worried about supplies meeting demand in August, the last month of the peak summer air-conditioning season. Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states has risen to 110.6 billion cubic feet per day so far in July, up from 110.0 bcfd in June and in line with the monthly record high of 110.6 bcfd in December 2025. On a daily basis, output rose to a daily record high of 112.3 bcfd on Sunday, topping the prior all-time highs of 112.2 bcfd on Saturday and 112.1 bcfd on December 21, 2025. Analysts said mostly mild weather during the spring allowed energy firms to stockpile more gas than usual. As they wait for a federal report on Thursday, analysts projected the amount of gas in storage likely rose to 6.6% above normal during the week ended July 24, up from 6.4% above normal during the previous week. Meteorologists forecast the weather would remain mostly warmer than normal through August 11, forcing power generators to continue burning lots of gas to keep air conditioners humming. About 40% of U.S. power generation comes from gas-fired plants. LSEG projected average gas demand in the Lower 48 states, including exports, would rise from 110.8 bcfd this week to 113.3 bcfd next week. The forecast for this week was lower than LSEG’s outlook on Friday. Average gas flows to the nine big U.S. LNG export plants have eased to 17.2 bcfd so far in July due in part to maintenance at Freeport LNG’s export plant in Texas, down from 17.4 bcfd in June and the monthly record high of 18.8 bcfd in April. The U.S. became the world’s biggest LNG exporter in 2023, surpassing Australia and Qatar, as surging global prices fed demand for more low-cost U.S. gas. Global gas prices have spiked in recent years primarily due to supply disruptions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran this year. Around the world, gas was trading around $20 per mmBtu at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) benchmark in Europe, and near a four-month high of about $22 at the Japan-Korea Marker (JKM) benchmark in Asia.

Nat-Gas Prices Climb on Smaller-Than-Expected Storage Increase - September Nymex natural gas (NGU26) on Thursday closed up +0.036 (+1.32%). Nat-gas prices settled higher on Thursday on a smaller-than-expected storage increase. Weekly EIA nat-gas inventories rose +28 bcf in the week ended July 24, below expectations of +37 bcf. Nat-gas prices extended their gains on forecasts for warmer US weather, potentially boosting nat-gas demand from electricity providers to power an expected increase in air conditioning use. The Commodity Weather Group said on Thursday that forecasts shifted warmer, with above-normal temperatures expected in the western half of the US through August 13. Nat-gas prices tumbled to a 3-month nearest-futures (Q26) low on Wednesday as recent below-normal US temperatures have reduced air-conditioning demand and allowed nat-gas inventories to be rebuilt. A bearish factor for nat-gas prices in the medium term is speculation that a powerful El Niño weather system will bring warmer-than-normal temperatures to the Northern Hemisphere this fall and winter, reducing nat-gas heating demand. US (lower-48) dry gas production on Thursday was 112.4 bcf/day (+2.9% y/y), according to BNEF. Lower-48 state gas demand on Thursday was 81.6 bcf/day (-4.3% y/y), according to BNEF. Estimated LNG net flows to US LNG export terminals on Thursday were 18.2 bcf/day (+1.5% w/w), according to BNEF. Projections for higher US nat-gas production are negative for prices. On July 7, the EIA raised its forecast for 2026 US dry nat-gas production to 111.2 bcf/day from a June estimate of 111.0 bcf/day. As a positive factor for gas prices, the Edison Electric Institute reported last Wednesday that US (lower-48) electricity output in the week ended July 18 rose +2.0% y/y to 101,391 GWh (gigawatt hours). Also, US electricity output in the 52 weeks ending July 18 rose +2.3% y/y to 4,350,346 GWh. Thursday's weekly EIA report was supportive for nat-gas prices, as nat-gas inventories for the week ended July 24 rose by +28 bcf, less than expectations of +37 bcf but above the 5-year weekly average increase of +26 bcf. As of July 24, nat-gas inventories were down -1.2% y/y, and +6.4% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling adequate nat-gas supplies. As of July 28, gas storage in Europe was 56% full, compared to the 5-year seasonal average of 72% full for this time of year. Baker Hughes reported last Friday that the number of active US nat-gas drilling rigs in the week ending July 24 rose by +1 rig to 127 rigs, below the 3-year high of 134 rigs set in February 2026.

Permian Gas Outflows Up as Prices Climb | RBN Energy --Outflows of natural gas have been strong recently, and they stand to strengthen further as new capacity becomes available. Natural gas outflows from the Permian Basin were up last week, with lower outflows to the North, offset by higher outflows to the West, East and Mexico. Last week, outflows to the East averaged 13.2 Bcf/d, up 0.1 Bcf/d week-on-week, as seen in the orange line in the chart below. Outflows to the West averaged 2.6 Bcf/d, also up 0.1 Bcf/d week-on-week. Outflows to the North averaged 1.8 Bcf/d, down 0.1 Bcf/d week-on-week, with slightly lower flows on ONEOK, El Paso towards the Midcontinent and Northern Natural. Outflows to Mexico averaged 2 Bcf/d, up 0.1 Bcf/d week-on-week. Outflows to Mexico have been very strong this summer, flowing near the historic max for an extended period of time rather than only during the ultra-peak season, which typically happens in late summer. The price of natural gas in the Permian continues to strengthen, as Waha basis to Henry Hub narrowed to just minus $0.55/MMBtu last week, according to Bloomberg data. This is the narrowest basis has been since December 2024.Narrower basis has been abetted by the expansion of outbound capacity. On its third quarter earnings call, Kinder Morgan confirmed that the Gulf Coast Express expansion was placed into full service on June 23 and also said that the 570 MMcf/d expansion was full almost immediately once it was online. The next Permian expansion is around the corner, Energy Transfer’s Hugh Brinson potentially already has some in-basin capacity online or coming soon, with Phase 1 (1.5 Bcf/d) expected this quarter and then Phase 2 (0.7 Bcf/d) next year. WhiteWater Midstream and Targa Resources’ Blackcomb Pipeline (2.5 Bcf/d) is also expected to begin service this quarter. For more on the Permian pipeline buildout, see the recent RBN blog, Open The Door.

Q2 2026 Earnings Calls: Chevron Reports Record U.S. Production, Refinery Throughput | RBN Energy Chevron’s global upstream volumes increased by more than 5% in Q2 2026, while U.S. production reached a record of nearly 2.1 MMboe/d, the company said during its quarterly earnings call July 31. Downstream operations also reached new highs. Chevron processed more than 1 million b/d through its U.S. refineries, a record. “We remain focused on cost discipline and long-term value creation. During the second quarter, the company achieved its structural cost reduction target six months early by capturing $3 billion in annual run-rate savings” Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth said. “Furthermore, we delivered $1.5 billion of annual run-rate synergies related to the Hess Corporation acquisition within one year of closing.”Beyond its traditional oil and gas business, Chevron emphasized its expanding power strategy. The company views reliable electricity as the primary constraint on AI-driven data center growth and believes its natural gas resource base and project execution capabilities position it to capitalize on that opportunity. At the center of that strategy is Project Kilby, a behind-the-meter power development in the Permian Basin (and the subject of a future blog) that management says is the only multi-gigawatt project of its kind backed by a long-term power purchase agreement. Chevron recently signed a 20-year take-or-pay agreement with Microsoft for 2.67 GW of capacity, with a final investment decision (FID) expected later this year. The site is expected to be powered initially by 12 smaller turbines (light-blue bar sections in slide below), with seven larger turbines (dark-blue bar sections) coming online later, with an interconnection with the ERCOT grid in 2030-31.The company said it expects Kilby to create a repeatable model for future data center power projects.

White House pushes to reopen closed refineries amid high gas prices - The Trump administration is looking to reopen closed oil refineries, including an embattled one in the Virgin Islands, amid high gasoline prices spurred by the Iran war. A White House official confirmed to The Hill in an email Thursday that the Trump administration “would like to see refineries across the country reopen, especially the St. Croix refinery.” The official said this refinery is of particular interest because it was built to refine Venezuelan oil and because of its “strategic” location. The official said that since April 2025, companies have approached the administration to express interest in purchasing the refinery and that this has ramped up since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and U.S. takeover of the country’s infrastructure. The refinery push was first reported by Politico. Three industry executives told the news outlet that the White House has had discussions about reopening refineries ranging from the Virgin Islands to California. “Energy security is national security, and America’s refining capacity is essential to ensuring the United States has continuous access to secure, affordable, and reliable energy,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement. “The President’s National Energy Dominance Council will continue supporting the reopening of shuttered refineries and the construction of new ones to lower prices and strengthen our national security,” Rogers added. The push comes as gas prices have remained high amid the war in Iran. As of Thursday, the average U.S. gas price was about $4.10 per gallon, according to AAA, more than $1 higher than where it was when the war broke out earlier this year. The St. Croix refinery in question shut down indefinitely in 2021. That came after the Environmental Protection Agency ordered it to shut down for 60 days, saying its oil releases and air pollution posed an “imminent risk to public health.” David Johnson, director of Port Hamilton Refining & Transportation welcomed the prospect of restarting the refinery in a statement shared with The Hill. “By leveraging substantial private investment alongside targeted federal programs that strengthen nationally significant infrastructure and industrial capacity, the restoration of the St. Croix refinery has the potential to accelerate the return of a strategic American industrial asset while enhancing U.S. energy security, expanding domestic manufacturing, strengthening supply chain resilience, supporting advanced technologies, creating thousands of high-quality jobs and improving America’s long-term economic competitiveness,” he said. Johnson said that the company “continue[s] to have constructive discussions with federal and territorial officials, commercial counterparties, investors and financing sources regarding the future of the refinery.” “While those discussions remain confidential, we remain optimistic that the St. Croix refinery can once again become an important contributor to America’s energy security, industrial competitiveness and long-term economic resilience,” he continued. Oil is turned into gasoline at refineries. While the price of oil is typically the largest factor in the price of gasoline, refineries can also play a role.

Refinery makeover: White House hopes to attract private investors for defunct fuel factories - Investors know the Trump administration is worried about fuel prices — and they’re offering assistance.The White House has had discussions with a wide range of potential suitors to reopen defunct petroleum refineries from the Virgin Islands to California amid rising anxieties over higher fuel prices, according to three industry executives familiar with the talks. National Energy Dominance Council officials confirmed they have fielded inquiries from potential investors, and the industry sources said the NEDC connected those investors to relevant agencies to discuss how the government could help facilitate investments.The discussions have progressed to the point where council officials have consulted with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on regulatory requirements for reopening mothballed facilities — an issue likely to be particularly relevant for the refinery on St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which has faced years of environmental problems and legal battles. St. Croix “is one of the refineries on a short list of refineries … that the administration wants to keep running,” said one of the industry executives, who was granted anonymity to describe discussions with White House officials

America became the biggest oil producer in history yet it still imports millions of barrels | Watch (video) America’s fracking revolution transformed the country from a vulnerable oil importer into the largest producer in history. Yet the United States still imports huge quantities of crude because much of its refining system was built for a different type of oil. The result is a strange trade in which America exports its own higher-value crude while buying heavier foreign oil for domestic refineries. The boom created enormous wealth and geopolitical power, but serious questions remain over how long it can last.

Commercial Crude Inventories Fall to Lowest Level Since 2018 | RBN Energy -According to the EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) released this morning for the week ended July 24, U.S. commercial crude inventories posted their largest weekly draw in over two months, falling more than 7 MMbbl to less than 405 MMbbl. Total crude once accounting for SPR inventories currently sits at 712 MMbbl (yellow circle in chart below). This draw reduces commercial crude inventories to their lowest level since October 2018, as exceptionally strong refinery demand more than offset modest export growth. As discussed in this week's Crude Oil Billboard, the bulk of the draw occurred in PADD III, where inventories declined 6.5 MMbbl alongside a sharp increase in capacity utilization to above 100% as refiners continue to capitalize on near record-high crack spreads.The inventory decline underscores how little buffer remains in the U.S. crude system. Cushing stocks fell below the widely watched 20 MMbbl threshold to just 18.6 MMbbl, their lowest level since August 2014, increasing the market's sensitivity to disruptions in inland crude logistics. At the same time, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell for an eighteenth consecutive week to its lowest level since 1983 after another 4 MMbbl draw. While the pace of SPR withdrawals has slowed, more than 108 MMbbl has now been released since the start of the conflict with Iran as part of the broader IEA-coordinated emergency stock release.Although commercial crude inventories have fallen to their lowest level since 2018, the U.S. is far from running out of oil. Domestic production remains near record highs, imports are averaging near 6 MMb/d for the year, and more than 700 MMbbl of crude remains in commercial and strategic storage combined. The significance of today's inventory levels lies less in the absolute volume of oil available and more in the shrinking margin of safety. As inventories tighten and uncertainty of the duration of the War in Iran rises, the market becomes increasingly responsive to incremental changes in refinery demand, export flows, or supply disruptions, amplifying price volatility even when overall crude availability remains adequate.

Bad River tribe, groups sue over waterway crossing approvals for Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute - The Bad River tribe and environmental groups are again suing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources over decisions allowing work to move forward on Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute at four waterway crossings.The tribe, Clean Wisconsin, 350 Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Ashland County Circuit Court. The legal challenge comes after the DNR granted Enbridge a permit to cross Beartrap Creek and permit exemptions for three other waterways. They include Little Beartrap Creek, Bay City Creek and an unnamed tributary to the Brunsweiler River.The groups argue that Enbridge is not eligible to conduct work at the four waterways because it did not own land next to them. The lawsuit is their latest legal challenge against the DNR as litigation continues over key state approvals for the project, including a wetlands and waterway permit.In May, a Bayfield County judge allowed work to move forward on the Line 5 reroute except at the four waterways. Midwest Environmental Advocates, who is representing 350 Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters, accused the company of a “workaround” by obtaining ownership interests at three of the four crossings.“Despite Enbridge’s repeated attempts to overcome these legal barriers, their Line 5 proposal continues to run afoul of Wisconsin law,” MEA spokesperson Peg Sheaffer said. “Until they demonstrate that they have met all the requirements of Wisconsin law, construction at the four stream crossings must not be allowed to proceed.”A DNR spokesperson said it’s reviewing the lawsuit.“The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued authorizations for Enbridge to complete erosion control and stream restoration at four waterbody crossings, following established rules and policies and after a thorough review,” Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said in a statement.Enbridge’s Line 5 carries up to 23 million gallons of oil daily from Superior across northern Wisconsin and Michigan to Ontario. The company proposed a 41-mile reroute of Line 5 after the Bad River Tribe sued in 2019 to shut down the pipeline on its lands. The project is crossing about 200 waterways, and it’s slated to affect around 100 acres of wetlands in Ashland and Iron counties.The $450 million project has undergone years of review, protests, tens of thousands of comments and legal challenges. Enbridge has said 600 people are now working on the project, which is projected to employ 700 union workers at peak construction.Supporters say it will contribute $135 million to Wisconsin’s economy. Opponents point to multiple spills on Enbridge pipelines, including up to 1,900 gallons of drilling fluid that spilled on June 27. Kellner said the clay and water mixture used for horizontal directional drilling at Vaughn Creek, where the spill occurred, was approved by the DNR and is non-toxic.At least two other small spills of 250 gallons and 10 gallons of drilling fluid have occurred at Vaughn Creek.Kellner said the clay-water mix has been cleaned up.The company is responsible for some of the nation’s largest oil spills on land, including a 2010 oil spill into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River.In 2023, U.S. District Court Judge William Conley ordered Enbridge to pay $5.15 million for trespassing on roughly 2 miles of tribal lands and shut down or reroute Line 5 around the Bad River reservation by mid-June this year. Both the tribe and Enbridge appealed the decision. In March, Conley paused his shutdown order until a federal appeals court issues a ruling, citing potential “devastating” impacts of a sudden shutdown.

Court Upholds Enbridge Line 5 Trespass Finding But Stops Short of Shutdown A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Enbridge is trespassing on portions of the Bad River Reservation with its Line 5 pipeline but sent the case back to the district court to reconsider the remedies, including the pipeline's removal timeline. (P&GJ) — A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court's finding that Enbridge is trespassing on portions of the Bad River Reservation in northern Wisconsin by continuing to operate its Line 5 pipeline after easements on certain tribal allotment parcels expired. However, the court sent the case back to the district court to reconsider the remedies, including an order requiring the pipeline's removal and other injunctive relief. In a decision issued July 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concluded that Enbridge lacks legal authority to continue operating Line 5 across 12 allotted parcels where easements expired in 2013. The court affirmed that the company is trespassing but determined the lower court must revisit the remedies imposed. The dispute centers on approximately 12 miles of Line 5 that cross the Bad River Reservation. The pipeline transports more than 20 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids each day between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario, as part of Enbridge's 645-mile Line 5 system serving refineries in the Midwest and Canada. The Bad River Band sued Enbridge in 2019 after easements covering allotted tribal lands expired in June 2013. The tribe argued that Enbridge continued operating the pipeline without the required rights-of-way and cited erosion along the Bad River that could expose the pipeline and increase the risk of a spill. A federal district court previously awarded the tribe more than $5.1 million in restitution, ordered Enbridge to continue disgorging a portion of its profits while Line 5 remained on the affected parcels, and directed the company to remove the pipeline from those lands. The district court also ordered Enbridge to implement enhanced monitoring and response measures to address erosion risks near the Bad River meander. Both sides appealed. The appeals court agreed that Enbridge's continued operation across the allotted parcels constitutes trespass because the company no longer holds valid easements and did not obtain the tribal consent required for renewed rights-of-way. The court also ruled that federal statutory law displaces the tribe's federal common-law nuisance claim, overturning that portion of the district court's decision. In reaching its decision, the court rejected Enbridge's argument that a 1992 agreement required the Bad River Band to consent to renewed easements over the allotted parcels. The panel found the agreement applied only to separate tribal parcels covered by a 50-year easement that remains in effect until 2043 and did not obligate the tribe to approve future rights-of-way on subsequently acquired allotted lands. The opinion leaves unresolved what remedies ultimately will apply while Enbridge continues pursuing a proposed reroute of Line 5 around the reservation, a project that remains subject to state and federal permitting.

California Dems mobilize to stop pipeline land grab - - California’s Democratic senators are making a full-throttle push to quash an amendment working its way through Congress that would give a lifeline to a contentious oil pipeline in their home state.Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff want to kill a provision in the House’s defense policy bill that lawmakers adopted by a single vote last week, mostly along party lines, that would allow the Pentagon to seize land along the Santa Ynez pipeline system in central California.The amendment, sponsored by Texas Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt, would empower the Trump administration to keep oil flowing to California users — including military installations — after an 11-year stoppage following a spill.“This amendment is a power grab that threatens both states’ rights and California’s coastline and environment,” Padilla said in a statement. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t become law.”

Green groups lose court bid to halt Alaska land transfer - The Interior Department’s transfer of over 2 million acres of federal land to Alaska’s control will survive after a federal judge on Friday rejected environmentalists’ request to block the change in ownership.The land transfer initiated earlier this year includes much of the Trans-Alaska pipeline corridor and will allow the state to more quickly approve permits for the proposed Ambler Road, which would connect the Dalton Highway to mining locations.When Congress passed legislation to make Alaska a state in 1958, it included a promise to transfer 103 million acres of “vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved” land to the state, a process that continues decades later.The transfer came about after a February order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revoked withdrawal orders issued in the early 1970s for lands that are now corridors for the Trans-Alaska pipeline and Dalton Highway.

LNG Canada Achieves Record Gas Intake in June 2026 | RBN Energy  - Intake of natural gas at the LNG Canada liquefaction site in Kitimat, BC reached a record monthly average of 1.78 Bcf/d in June 2026 (green column and text in chart below) as reported in our Canadian NatGas Billboard. This surpasses the previous best value of 1.70 Bcf/d posted in April 2026 (purple column and text) with the record also marking the one-year anniversary of the first commercial cargo shipped to Asian customers in June 2025. On the heels of the June record, we are currently estimating that July gas intake will drop to 1.2 Bcf/d as flare replacement work and other onsite maintenance has been taking place since the end of June. LNG Canada has not provided any timeline as to when this work might be completed.Daily gas intake, computed as a combination of reported pipeline flows and our estimates, point to LNG Canada's gas use in July (blue dashed rectangle in chart below) having fallen to some of the lowest levels since mid-December 2025, aside from a short-term outage in mid-March 2026 when an unexpected power outage briefly sent gas intake to near zero. Export activity has slowed with the LNG tanker turnover rate — the time between tanker departure and next tanker arrival — having increased to more than two days in the past week and was already on an increasing trend from the first half of July and up from an average of less than one day of turnover which characterized much of the previous six months of shipping activity.

Uniper Locks In Canadian LNG as Germany Diversifies Long-Term Supply --Uniper, one of Germany’s largest gas traders, signed a long-term offtake deal for LNG from the proposed Ksi Lisims project in British Columbia, deepening an emerging Canada-Germany energy trade relationship as both countries pursue supply diversification.See table of North American Netback Prices.  At a Glance:
Uniper secures long-term Canadian LNG supply
Canadian cargoes bolster German diversification plans
Ksi Lisims reaches half contracted capacity

Prince Rupert Pipeline Contract Advances Ksi Lisims LNG Feedgas Link - Two partners behind Ksi Lisims LNG have advanced the project’s planned feedgas connection to the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, awarding Allseas a contract for a critical section of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline.  At a Glance:

• Allseas wins subsea pipeline installation contract
• PRGT would move 2 Bcf/d west
• Canada remains net US gas supplier

Q2 2026 Earnings Calls: Tourmaline Delays Growth to Wait for Gas Demand | RBN Energy -Tourmaline used its Q2 earnings call to reinforce its view that North American natural gas demand is accelerating, but the company is choosing to pace production growth until more of that demand materializes. Management announced a one-year pause between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of its Northeast BC infrastructure buildout (existing assets shown below), allowing shareholders to benefit from lower costs and higher free cash flow before committing additional growth capital. The company said future spending will depend less on commodity prices and more on new sources of demand, including LNG exports, gas-fired power generation and AI-driven data centers.Tourmaline said Phase 1 of its Northeast BC project remains on schedule, with the Aitken plant expected to start up in the fourth quarter and five of six regional connector pipelines already complete. The company also expanded its LPG export strategy by signing a long-term agreement with AltaGas to ship additional propane and butane through the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF), increasing exposure to higher-value export markets. At the same time, management highlighted continued gains in well productivity and lower operating costs.Management also expressed growing confidence in Western Canada's long-term gas outlook. Tourmaline expects LNG demand, Alberta data centers and gas-fired power projects to tighten regional markets over the next several years and said it is actively pursuing a long-term gas supply agreement for a hyperscaler project near its Banshee plant. Rather than chasing production growth ahead of demand, the company said it intends to let new markets pull additional supply into service, a strategy that could improve pricing while supporting stronger long-term shareholder returns.

Turn Me Loose – Will Crude Oil Pipeline Capacity Keep Up With Western Canadian Production Growth? - Several projects in the works would expand crude oil pipeline takeaway capacity out of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) to the U.S. and Canada’s west coast. But, given the pace of production growth in Alberta, will enough takeaway space come online in time to prevent pipeline capacity shortages and the price dislocations that come with them? That’s what we’ll be looking at in today’s RBN blog, the final episode in our seven-part series on WCSB crude oil supply, which also serves as a preview of our latest Drill Down Report. Over the course of our series (and detailed in our new report), we've explored the forces reshaping Western Canada's crude oil market, from the rapid growth in WCSB production and its seasonal swings to the pipeline expansions that have enabled rising exports. We also examined how transportation constraints influence crude price discounts, traced the evolution of crude flows and end markets, reviewed proposed pipeline expansion projects, and assessed producers’ plans to increase oil sands output in the years ahead. Together, these trends highlight a market in which production growth, takeaway capacity and changing demand patterns will determine whether Western Canadian crude can continue expanding its reach into North American and global markets. Canadian crude output is rising, requiring new export routes. As traditional pathways face constraints, the U.S. Rockies—especially the Guernsey, WY hub—are emerging as key corridors for moving Canadian heavy crude to downstream markets, including the Gulf Coast.Today, we present our monthly forecasts through 2029 for WCSB crude oil production and exports. Then we’ll compare these export forecasts against expected pipeline takeaway capacity to see if Western Canada’s crude oil market might be at risk of pipeline capacity shortages in the next few years. In addition to the information we’ve gone over in this series, the forecasts we present here include predictions about the impact of future turnaround activity for each oil sands facility and refinery. These forecasts lean on our database of turnaround histories for each facility, and company guidance where available. Starting with our crude oil production forecasts, Figure 1 below shows monthly WCSB historical production by type from 2022 through this spring (solid lines) and our projections through 2029 (dashed lines). We expect continued production growth in non-upgraded oil sands (gray lines), other heavy oil (purple lines), and condensate and pentanes plus (orange lines), while we are forecasting fairly flat production for upgraded oil sands (green lines) and conventional light and medium oil (blue lines), albeit with month-to-month volatility and some year-to-year variability, primarily due to oil sands turnaround schedules. Our Alberta oil sands production forecasts include estimates for every single project (see Section 7 of our report for information on upcoming growth projects), as well as estimates for every Saskatchewan SAGD (steam-assisted gravity drainage) heavy oil project. For other crude oil and condensate production, we’re assuming growth similar to what we’ve seen over the past couple of years.Figure 2 below shows the combined total production forecast through 2029. We currently expect crude oil and condensate production to grow by 98 Mb/d in 2026, 221 Mb/d in 2027, 121 Mb/d in 2028 and 129 Mb/d in 2029. For context, annual growth from 2022-25 ranged from 100-192 Mb/d and averaged 158 Mb/d. Our forecasts for 2026-29 assume the difference between peak-month and low-month production in a given year averages about 600 Mb/d, less than the 735 Mb/d average range from 2022-25.  To get from a production forecast to an export forecast is easier said than done. Availability of data varies from province to province, from asset to asset, and from pipeline to pipeline. In addition to data reported by companies, we are pulling data from about 20 monthly or quarterly statistical reports from industry sources (i.e., Alberta Energy Regulator, StatCan, Canadian Energy Regulator, EIA, etc.) to try to piece together as complete a picture as possible. We are tracking and forecasting imports (mostly diluent), production losses, refinery and other field use, diluent supplied from refineries and diluent recovery units (DRUs), NGLs and refined product volumes shipped on the oil pipelines, butanes used for diluent and as refinery feedstocks, inventory changes, missing barrels, and several other items. However, if we look at this from a higher level, annual WCSB production exceeded exports by 220-250 Mb/d in the 2022-25 period; for 2026-29 we forecast the annual difference to range from 235-321 Mb/d.Figure 3 below shows the outlook for monthly WCSB export volumes overlaid on top of current and expected new pipeline capacity.

BP puts North Sea business up for sale - BP has said it is putting its North Sea business up for sale in a move that would end 60 years of production in the region by the oil giant. The decision follows a review of BP's operations as it seeks to slim down the group. Its North Sea business has five production hubs - two in the central North Sea and three west of Shetland - and employs about 1,100 people. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he told US President Donald Trump he would take a "pragmatic approach" to the issue of North Sea oil and gas. Trump, some trade unions, industry figures and some Labour MPs all back increased drilling in the North Sea. "The UK has been our home for more than 100 years and will continue to play an important role in our future," BP chief executive Meg O'Neill said. "We're proud of the jobs we create, the contribution we make to the UK economy, and the work we do to keep energy flowing every day," she said. The company said it remained committed to operating the business safely and reliably throughout the sale process. Its North Sea business produced 117,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, a small fraction of the oil giant's 2.3 million barrels of daily production. O'Neill, who took the helm at BP in April, said earlier this year there was "untapped potential" in the North Sea. However, in announcing Friday's decision she said: "As we focus our portfolio and direct capital to our highest-value opportunities, we believe our North Sea business will be better positioned as part of another company. "It has world-class people, resilient assets and a proud heritage, and it is precisely these qualities that can attract an owner ready to back its next chapter. We are seeking an outcome that recognises that value." The sale could potentially bring in £2bn to BP. Last month, the FT reported the company was in talks with Ithaca Energy to sell its North Sea assets for around this amount, although the talks fell through. BP employs around 13,960 people in the UK. Its global headquarters will remain in the UK. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said she was in close contact with BP, and her priority was to ensure that "the workers and local community are protected during this sale process". In its 2024 general election manifesto, Labour said it would not issue new licences for drilling, but would honour existing ones. But in recent months, as the Iran war pushed up global oil prices, calls have grown for more North Sea drilling to be approved, from the Conservatives, Reform UK and from President Trump, while also becoming a divisive issue within the Labour party. Some Labour MPs have urged the government to take a more liberal approach, warning that the transition away from oil and gas must protect jobs and the cost of energy bills. But others have backed the government's existing approach, arguing that expanding renewable energy is key to improving energy security and reducing the impact on climate change. As energy secretary in Sir Keir Starmer's government, Ed Miliband was a staunch supporter of the manifesto position. Miliband is now the foreign secretary in Burnham's government. Burnham himself has seemingly left the door open to future drilling. He said he told President Trump this week: "There is a resource there. When people are struggling - you can't ignore that." Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell previously told the BBC that Burnham would stick to the party's manifesto commitments, but there would be a "change of emphasis" on North Sea oil and gas. Oil and gas companies have also criticised the UK's windfall tax- the Energy Profits Levy - which they argue means the North Sea has lost some of its appeal in recent years. The Scottish government's energy minister, Stephen Gethins, said the decision would cause uncertainty for workers. "Scotland's future prosperity – and our contribution to energy security – are reliant on North Sea energy production and, crucially, the skills and experience of that workforce," he said. Reserved policies – such as the Energy Profits Levy – were driving an accelerated decline of North Sea oil and gas before renewables were fully ready to meet energy needs, Gethins added. The Scottish Conservatives' energy spokesman, Andrew Bowie MP, called on the Labour government at Westminster to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank offshore sites and cancel plans to ban new licences in the North Sea. He also called for the Energy Profits Levy to be scrapped. Reform MSP Duncan Massey said 1,100 workers faced uncertainty with the BP sale, adding politicians should not put ideology ahead of jobs and economic reality. The Scottish Greens said 80% of the oil from the North Sea was shipped overseas, therefore it was "doing very little to improve our energy security".

France Heat Wave, Asian Premiums Test Europe’s Pull on US LNG --Recurring heat waves across Europe and hotter forecasts for Northeast Asia are supporting summer LNG demand as a widening Asian price premium sharpens competition for flexible US volumes. At a Glance:
Global heat supports LNG demand outlook
Feedgas holds near 17.8 Bcf/d
Cooler US forecast pressures gas prices

Q2 2026 Earnings Calls: TotalEnergies Reframes Middle East Investment Strategy | RBN Energy -As discussed in their recent earnings call, in Q2 2026, TotalEnergies delivered one of its strongest quarterly performances since 2022, supported by higher crude prices, record refining margins, resilient upstream production growth, and continued strength across its Integrated Power business despite ongoing geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East. While the financial results were robust, a significant takeaway from the earnings call was management's evolving view of geopolitical risk and how it is reshaping the company's long-term investment strategy. Rather than treating the recent disruption as a temporary event, management signaled that it expects elevated geopolitical risk in the Middle East to persist, placing greater emphasis on portfolio diversification, integrated value capture, and export infrastructure resilience.A central theme throughout the discussion was that the primary constraint on Middle Eastern crude supply is no longer production capacity, but the ability to reliably move barrels to market. CEO Patrick Pouyanné repeatedly pointed to the Strait of Hormuz as the region's principal bottleneck, noting that production from Abu Dhabi assets recovered quickly when operating conditions improved, while export logistics remained significantly more challenging. As a result, TotalEnergies is increasingly evaluating investments that reduce dependence on Hormuz, including potential participation in expanding Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's (ADNOC's) pipeline system from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, as well as alternative export routes from Iraq to the Mediterranean. Although no formal investment decisions were announced, management's comments suggest that export infrastructure is becoming a strategic priority alongside upstream resource development. The growing focus on the Fujairah export corridor is particularly noteworthy. By expanding pipeline capacity to a terminal outside the Strait of Hormuz, UAE producers could increase the share of crude that reaches international markets without transiting one of the world's most vulnerable maritime chokepoints. The call suggests that infrastructure capable of improving export flexibility and reducing geopolitical exposure may become just as important as new upstream production projects in determining future Middle Eastern supply growth. More broadly, TotalEnergies' strategy indicates that the next phase of investment in the region may increasingly prioritize supply chain resilience over incremental production capacity, reflecting an expectation that geopolitical disruptions will remain a structural feature of the market rather than a short-lived event.

Vaca Muerta Shale Boom Fuels Argentina's Next Wave of Pipeline Growth --Vaca Muerta continues to transform Argentina's energy sector, with major pipeline and LNG export projects advancing even as the country's broader economy faces employment challenges. (Reuters) — Ramiro Ramirez, a trained mechanic, found work in just a month at Argentina's Vaca Muerta, home of one of the world's largest shale oil and gas reserves, where he earns 10 times his previous salary as a cook. His new life operating a gas compressor is not easy. Ramirez, 25, leaves his city in Neuquen province at 5 a.m. for a daily two-hour ride to oil fields by the small, dusty town of Añelo, which has swelled with newcomers seeking work since the formation's production rose sharply in recent years. He hopes to make a career at Vaca Muerta, a bright spot in President Javier Milei’s austerity-heavy economic playbook that contrasts sharply with job losses across the country. “All in all, I feel pretty good,” said Ramirez. “These are very desired positions.” Vaca Muerta could be a transformative force for Argentina's economy, which needs dollars to contain inflation and repay loans to the International Monetary Fund. YPF, Argentina’s state-run energy company, projects that by 2031, the formation will generate $50 billion in export dollars, rivaling Argentina’s agriculture sector. It is well on its way: In 2024, Argentina logged its largest energy trade surplus in nearly two decades, and last year broke its record again exporting $11.1 billion worth of energy. Economists say Milei is smart to focus on capital-intensive sectors such as Vaca Muerta, which he has called “the new Argentine panacea." But they caution that as Vaca Muerta develops, much of Argentina waits for economic relief. Workers in Neuquen in western Argentina's Patagonia region earn the country's highest average private-sector salary. Much of Argentina, by contrast, is suffering from lost manufacturing and construction jobs amid Milei’s lowering of import tariffs, suspension of federal infrastructure projects and austerity measures that have decreased purchasing power. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva recently applauded Milei's reduction of once-staggering inflation but highlighted hurting sectors, saying Argentina needs to create better conditions for businesses and individuals to take out bank loans and mortgages. “There’s no way for Argentina not to prioritize (Vaca Muerta),” said Lucas Pussetto, an economist at Argentina's Austral University, later adding, “Is it enough? No.” Milei has framed job loss in some sectors as inevitable as Argentina’s economy opens and competition increases. In a statement to Reuters, Argentina's Economy Ministry said that "as in any process of economic transformation, the recovery shows differences between sectors in the initial stage" but that the objective is "for growth to progressively extend to the rest of the sectors and translate into greater formal job creation."

Waiting on the World to Change – Global Turmoil Spikes Energy Markets, But Sharply Lower Crude Oil Prices, Production Could be Just Ahead | RBN Energy - Geopolitical developments over the last several months have resulted in perhaps the most chaotic and unstable energy market in the last 50 years, rivaled only by the OPEC oil embargoes of the 1970s, the global financial crisis in 2009 and the COVID lockdown years of the early 2020s. The disruptions have driven crude oil prices and production higher in the short term, but there’s a potential long-term shift just ahead. In today’s RBN blog, we look at how the changes on the horizon could lead to sharply lower global crude oil prices and a rollback in U.S. production, two forecasts at the heart of our newly available Future of Fuels report. It’s been a year of dramatic change, starting with the U.S. removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January (just before our previous report was published). Things have only accelerated since then, highlighted by the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran that began on the last day of February. While the damage to energy facilities across the Middle East has been significant, the largest impact by far has been the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, mostly stopping the flow of one-fifth of global crude oil and millions of barrels of refined products, while also impacting the LNG market and a number of other commodities. The on-again, off-again talks to find a lasting resolution to the conflict, along with the most  recent escalation by the Houthis threatening tanker movements through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, have only added to the global uncertainty.In addition to the events in the Middle East, the Russia/Ukraine war continues to provide additional stress to markets, especially the rapidly accelerating damage Ukraine has inflicted on Russian refineries, resulting in throughputs hitting decades-long lows and the loss of well over 2 MMb/d (and growing) of refined products. Chinese responses to these events and a variety of other global developments also continue to add uncertainties. Less immediately impactful — but maybe the most significant in the long term — was the exit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from OPEC in May, which we expect to have many knock-on effects in the market.As discussed many times in the RBN blogosphere this year, the changes and unrest noted above have driven prices higher for crude oil and refined products, leading to record-high U.S. crude oil production, surging crude exports and refining margins, and rig counts that are now well above year-ago levels. It’s a rosy picture for producers, and we expect pricing and production will continue to rise in the short term. But major market headwinds appear on the way; the question is how soon they arrive. Here’s where things stand today and why we could be headed for an era of crude oil oversupply:

• Venezuela — The U.S. takeover of the Venezuelan oil industry carries major implications for all segments of the petroleum industry. Operating conditions in Venezuela have improved significantly, leading to an uptick in crude oil production and exports. Because of the evolving conditions there and the uncertain nature of the situation, we are cautiously making only relatively minor changes in our short/mid-term forecasts, but we expect Venezuelan crude production growth to accelerate longer term. On the other hand, we expect only limited improvement in refinery utilization.
• Iran — The stability of the Iranian government has decreased significantly in recent months and potential future actions by the U.S. carry major implications for the crude oil and refined product markets. Due to the significant uncertainties, we have not made substantive changes in our forecasts for Iranian crude production, domestic demand or refining capacity, and the availability of transit through the Strait of Hormuz (and perhaps even from Red Sea ports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait) remains a major risk. That said, a lasting end to the hostilities seems likely at some point, easing the path to a more normal crude market and increased Iranian production and exports.
• The UAE and Saudi Arabia — The UAE is far from the first country to depart OPEC, but it’s the first to do so at the top of its game. The UAE has been a relatively less-disciplined OPEC member in recent years, with its consistently rising production often meeting (and sometimes exceeding) its established quotas. With production of 3.4 MMb/d (before the Strait of Hormuz closure), an estimated productive capacity of 4.5 MMb/d, and a goal to raise output to 5 MMb/d by 2030, the UAE figures to be a significant contributor to global supply growth through the end of the decade. We believe this will have a domino effect on Saudi Arabia’s strategy, as it looks likely to boost output, unwilling to be the sole OPEC producer concerned about defending price by restraining production.
• Russia — The Russia/Ukraine war has significantly changed global petroleum trade patterns and reduced Russian refinery utilization and oil production. We continue to see declines in the performance of both the upstream and downstream industries in the near to medium term, with potential improvement only after 2029 (assuming the hostilities with Ukraine are resolved by then). Russian crude production is forecast to drop to about 9.9 MMb/d by 2029, with a recovery back to pre-war levels of 10.6+ MMb/d taking until 2050. (Its refining industry will continue to be even more impacted.)

The developments noted above and generally improving prospects for producers in other regions could create a very oversupplied oil market in the next couple of years. Were that to happen, increased global output and lower prices could lead to a decrease in U.S. production, resulting in greater market share for producers elsewhere. So, how much could things change? (Note: The forecasts discussed in today’s blog are specific to the Future of Fuels report. Novi Labs is working on its own production forecast, which will show more moderate changes.)

QatarEnergy buys 33 spot US LNG cargoes to offset Hormuz disruption --  QatarEnergy, Qatar's state-owned energy company, purchased 33 spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the US this year for delivery to customers in South Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India and Japan after Qatar's gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz were halted. According to international media reports, the company made the purchases following its force majeure declaration, aiming to protect its long-standing reputation as a reliable supplier and help maintain gas deliveries to key customers. The 33 cargoes are estimated to be equivalent to one-third of QatarEnergy's monthly LNG exports before the conflict and are valued at around $1 billion. QatarEnergy purchased only four spot LNG cargoes last year, while most of this year's cargoes were acquired from US LNG producer Venture Global and some of the company's customers. According to data analytics firm Kpler, 28 of the 33 cargoes have already been delivered, while the remaining five are en route to South Korea, Taiwan and India.

Tokyo Gas Warns Prolonged Iran War Could Keep Spot LNG Prices Elevated Tokyo Gas said the conflict involving Iran has tightened the global spot LNG market and warned that prices could remain elevated if the war continues, underscoring ongoing uncertainty for LNG buyers. (Reuters) — The Middle East conflict has significantly tightened supplies on the spot liquefied natural gas market and the upward pressure on prices could persist if the war drags on, an executive at Tokyo Gas said on July 30.

• "We will seek to optimize supply and demand through our global LNG trading capabilities," Go Soga, an executive officer for Tokyo Gas, told reporters.
• Tokyo Gas is Japan's biggest city gas provider and one of the country's biggest buyers of LNG.
• It operates an LNG trading company in Singapore in coordination with offices in London and Tokyo.
• The utility aims to expand the trading business into a growth driver, targeting annual trading volume of 5 million metric tons by 2030.
• Trading volume in fiscal 2025 that ended in March has already reached the high-4 million-ton range, Soga said.
• Tokyo Gas reported a 65% decline in April to June, first-quarter net profit, mainly due to the absence of one-off gains booked a year earlier.
• Higher selling prices for its U.S. shale gas business helped boost revenue, Atsushi Torii, general manager of accounting department, said.
• Results for the U.S. shale gas business for January to March are reflected in its first-quarter earnings.
• The average Henry Hub gas price in that period rose to about $5 per million British thermal units from $3.6 a year earlier, Torii said.
• Tokyo Gas hedges about 75% of its gas price exposure.
• The remaining unhedged portion contributed to higher profit, Torii added.

Japan Has Enough LNG to Avoid Summer Power Shortages Japan’s biggest buyer of liquefied gas has told media it has secured enough supplies until October and there is no risk of summer shortages during peak air-conditioning demand, Channel News Asia has reported.“We have secured sufficient LNG stocks for the peak summer demand season from August to October, and there are no issues regarding stable power supply,” a company executive said. He added that JERA has significantly reduced its purchases of LNG from Qatar and will ensure adequate supply for the winter season through its global trading division.Japan is one of the most energy import-dependent countries in the world, with a lot of its oil and gas previously coming from the Middle East. The war-related disruption in export flows has prompted Japan to rush to secure alternative supplies. These have mostly come from the United States, which has emerged as the biggest low-risk supplier of liquefied natural gas.Yet JERA is looking to ensure a diversified supply of the essential fuel. Last month, the company said it had signed a 20-year LNG supply contract with Malaysia’s Petronas, with deliveries set to begin in 2028. Malaysia is Japan’s second-largest LNG supplier, after Australia. In addition to higher LNG purchases from non-Middle Eastern suppliers, Japanese utilities were forced to ramp up coal generation earlier in the year to maintain power supply security.The Petronas deal is for 2 million tons of liquefied gas annually, adding to earlier supply deals agreed by JERA. The company, which is the largest buyer of liquefied natural gas in the world, last year presented plans to triple its purchases from the United States alone to as much as 5.5 million tons annually. That would have been a 10% increase on its current imports from the U.S., making up a third of its total LNG purchases.

US-Owned LNG Ship Reportedly Struck By Kamikaze Drone At Egyptian Port -- A potentially major escalation emerged late Wednesday after a US-owned gas-processing vessel moored at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta was reportedly struck by a drone, according to Reuters, citing maritime security firm Ambrey. Details remain scant, and this assessment is preliminary. Ship-tracking data from Bloomberg shows the gas-processing vessel Energos Winter, which serves as a floating storage and regasification unit, moored off the port of Damietta. The port hosts the Damietta LNG terminal, a critical outlet for processing and exporting Egyptian and regional natural gas to Europe. Reuters reported: The drone hit floating storage tanker Energos Winter, causing a fire that then spread to another vessel, Gaslog ‌Salem, ⁠three trading sources familiar with the incident said. Two separate security sources said the cause ⁠of the blast was a drone strike. The crew was evacuated, and the fire had ⁠been brought under control, Ambrey said, adding that no party ⁠had claimed responsibility. Our partners at Newsquawk issued an alert at around 12:09 p.m. New York time that appeared to contradict Reuters' reporting on the floating storage and regasification unit: Reports of a drone attack targeting Damietta port are false, Al Hadath reports, citing a source. There are also conflicting reports on X: Some say it was a drone strike, while others say it was an industrial accident.

Report: US-Owned Gas Storage Vessel in Egypt Hit by Drone - -A drone hit a US-owned liquefied natural gas storage tanker in the Egyptian port city of Damietta, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing the British maritime security firm ‌Ambrey. The incident could signal a widening of the US-Iran war, though at this point it’s unclear who was responsible. Sources told Reuters that the drone hit the storage tanker Energos Winter, owned by the US-based firm Energos Infrastructure.The drone sparked a fire that spread to a second LNG storage vessel, the Gaslog Salem. Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry confirmed there was a fire at the port, though it didn’t say what caused it.The ministry said that the “situation was dealt with immediately in accordance with the emergency plans and the approved rapid response plans, through the relevant authorities and firefighting and safety teams at the site” and added that there were no injuries.The incident comes as the US may be on the verge of conducting strikes against Iran following an Iranian missile attack on Jordan, and after the US and Saudi Arabia launched major attacks on Iraq, marking a major escalation in the region.The US and Saudi Arabia launched the attacks over claims that Iraqi Shia militias targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, though Yemen’s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, took credit for the strikes and have also been targeting Saudi tankers as part of their enforcement of a new maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

Egypt rejects reports linking Iran to Damietta drone attack - Egypt has rejected media reports suggesting Iran's role in a recent drone attack on ships at Damietta Port, as Tehran also dismissed any involvement and urged vigilance against Israeli "false-flag operations." Speaking on Thursday, Egypt's Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan dismissed a Wall Street Journal report claiming that the Egyptian government believed Iran was responsible for the attack on two ships at the Mediterranean port. Rashwan warned against rushing to conclusions or circulating unverified rumors on social media, particularly given the current regional situation. His remarks came after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected Western media reports seeking to link the unclaimed drone attack to Iran. In a message posted on X, Araghchi stressed that "Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, and its security is of utmost importance to us." "We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace. The threat is clear, mutual, and fearful of Muslim solidarity," he added. The comments followed Wednesday's drone strike that triggered an explosion and fire involving two ships at Damietta Port, including a US-linked gas-storage tanker. No country or group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no casualties were reported. Egyptian authorities said the fire was quickly brought under control. Certain Western media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, have sought to portray the unclaimed incident as part of a so-called "Iran war," in an attempt to manufacture pretexts and drive a wedge between regional countries. Iran has consistently rejected involvement in attacks targeting friendly nations and noted the Zionist regime's long history of carrying out false-flag operations aimed at undermining Muslim unity and advancing its regional agenda. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said authorities have recovered the wreckage of the drone used in the attack on the gas vessel and are examining it to determine its origin. Madbouly stressed that Egypt's conclusions would be based "on facts, not speculation."

ADNOC Defies Hormuz Risks as UAE LNG Exports Continue - The UAE is still exporting liquefied natural gas, despite the threat of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a Bloomberg report, an ADNOC LNG tanker appeared in the Persian Gulf earlier today, successfully exiting the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly with its location devices turned off to avoid detection. The publication noted that earlier this month, Iranian forces had attacked a Qatari LNG carrier, sapping appetite for risky moves among energy shippers. Bloomberg also said that ADNOC was loading another LNG carrier at its Das Island facility at the end of last week. The developments highlight both the precarious situation that continues to plague Gulf oil and gas exporters and the strength of demand for their energy commodities. ADNOC has been especially active in liquefied gas, stepping in to boost its exports as neighbor Qatar had to declare force majeure on its Ras Laffan LNG hub. Earlier this month, ADNOC Logistics and Services even placed a $900-million order for four newbuild LNG carriers to expand its fleet as Abu Dhabi’s national oil company seeks to seize the global rise in LNG demand. The Abu Dhabi firm also has eight LNG carriers, with an investment of a total of $2.5 billion, currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean. These vessels are scheduled for delivery from 2028, and are all contracted on 20-year time charters to ADNOC Gas. Meanwhile, LNG importers have tried to pressure Qatar and the UAE into asking for lower prices for their liquefied gas. Buyers of the commodity argue that the Persian Gulf has become a lot riskier than it was before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February, and this risk will be reflected in the price shippers pay for insurance. As a result, the sellers need to lower their prices, the logic goes.

ADNOC Buys Five Supertankers as Hormuz Crisis Tightens Shipping - Amid tightened vessel supply due to the Middle East crisis, Abu Dhabi’s national oil company ADNOC has paid about $590 million to buy five supertankers to better manage its crude deliveries, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting sources with knowledge of the deal.  ADNOC has acquired the five very large crude carriers (VLCCs) as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) looks to boost crude oil production and exports after exiting OPEC earlier this year, and despite the regional conflict that has stalled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) has bought the supertankers, capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of crude oil each, from Frontline Plc, according to Reuters’ sources.In an emailed statement to Reuters, ADNOC L&S said, “We do not comment on rumours or market speculation. ADNOC L&S continually reviews its fleet requirements and strategic growth opportunities.”ADNOC L&S owns over 340 vessels and operates 600 chartered ships.Meanwhile, the UAE produced 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in June, its highest output ever, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency.The crude oil production in June was the highest ever on record for the UAE, nearly double the output from March 2026 when Middle Eastern producers slashed production at the start of the Hormuz crisis. The production level also topped the previous record of 4 million bpd from the spring of 2020 when the OPEC+ producers were fighting for market share in a brief price war during peak Covid.The UAE has sought to adapt to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by sneaking tankers in dark mode through the Strait and increasingly offering to sell many of its crude grades for loading offshore Fujairah and at Sohar in Oman, outside the Strait. ADNOC is also boosting its LNG carrier fleet to grow its international gas business.Earlier this month, ADNOC Logistics and Services placed a $900-million order for four newbuild LNG carriers to expand its fleet as Abu Dhabi’s national oil company seeks to boost gas exports to seize the global rise in LNG demand.

Kuwait Signs $16 Billion Pipeline Infrastructure Deal with Blackstone, Brookfield, KKR Kuwait has signed a $16 billion agreement involving its crude oil pipeline network, bringing Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR into one of the Middle East's largest midstream infrastructure partnerships. (P&GJ) — Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has signed a $16 billion infrastructure agreement with a consortium comprising Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR to establish a joint venture covering the country's domestic and export crude oil pipeline network. The transaction, structured as a 20.5-year lease-and-leaseback agreement, includes all 13 of KOC's crude oil pipelines, spanning approximately 320 kilometers (199 miles). The deal is expected to become Kuwait's largest energy infrastructure partnership and the largest foreign direct investment in the country's history. Under the agreement, KOC will retain a 51% ownership stake in the newly formed joint venture, while Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR will collectively own the remaining 49%, with each investor holding an equal share. KOC will maintain full ownership, operation and maintenance of the pipeline system. The joint venture will lease the pipeline usage rights from KOC and grant the company exclusive rights to operate the network in exchange for a volume-based tariff. The agreement does not affect Kuwait's authority over crude production or refinery throughput. The transaction is expected to generate $7.85 billion in upfront proceeds for KOC, supporting Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's capital investment program, including its goal of increasing crude oil production capacity to 4 million bpd by 2035. KPC Deputy Chairman and CEO Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah said the agreement marks a milestone for Kuwait's energy sector while preserving state control of critical infrastructure. The agreement also marks the first time major global institutional investors have committed long-term capital to Kuwait's midstream infrastructure. Representatives of Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR said the investment reflects confidence in Kuwait's energy sector and long-term infrastructure strategy. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Two tankers carrying Saudi oil for India exit Red Sea by going 'dark' (Reuters) - Two tankers carrying Saudi crude for Indian refiners have exited the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by sailing "dark" after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi shipments, two sources with direct knowledge ‌of the matter said. The Suezmax tanker Amazon, chartered by Indian Oil Corp (IOC.NS), opens new tab, loaded 1 million barrels of oil and Aframax Rodos lifted 700,000 barrels of crude for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL.NS), opens new tab at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port around July 20 and briefly turned north towards the Suez Canal. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. However, the Amazon and Rodos then switched off their Automatic Identification ⁠System transponders around July 22, preventing public tracking of their moves, and headed south to exit the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the sources said. The tankers are the first evidence of vessels carrying Saudi crude for India going dark by turning off their transponders, which the sources said is normal practice in war zone areas, since the blockade began. "The owner had shut the transponders on the vessels for safety purposes, and the vessels are now heading to India," one of the sources told Reuters. The Rodos is expected to arrive at India's ‌Mangalore ⁠port on August 1, while the Amazon is scheduled to reach Chennai in early August, both sources said. Both vessels are managed by Greece-based Dynacom Tankers. Dynacom had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters. India's foreign ministry, Indian Oil and MRPL did not respond to emails seeking comment. The vessels switched off their ⁠transponders after two other Dynacom ships, Malta-flagged Panamax-sized tanker Kavomaleas and Liberian-flagged VLCC Acheloos, were hit by projectiles. Indian refiners have switched to cargoes from the Middle East on a delivered basis since the Houthi attacks ⁠on several Saudi tankers. MRPL said in its latest tender it will only buy oil shipped on routes avoiding the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. It was not immediately clear if ⁠the Indian government talked to the Houthis or Iranian authorities to gain safe passage for the vessels after refiners in India approached it for help.

India issues Black Sea advisory after deadly strikes off Ukraine - India has warned its seafarers and commercial vessels face heightened security risks while operating in the “highly volatile” area around the Black Sea, saying the number of drone and missile attacks by both Russia and Ukraine on ships in the region is rising. Indian nationals working on commercial vessels have been asked to “carefully assess” the situation while operating or transiting through the conflict-affected region in the Black Sea, the Indian foreign ministry said on Sunday. At least five Indians are among 11 people killed in attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea since April as Russia has stepped up attacks on the cargo ships in the Black Sea maritime corridor. Russia and Ukraine have both ramped up strikes on ships in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. Ukraine claims that it is targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet – ships that transport oil in violation of international sanctions. The Indian foreign ministry said it had observed an “increase in the number of such incidents on commercial vessels” and said those who undertake such journeys should exercise the utmost caution. “Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region are advised to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments,” the ministry said in a statement. It asked seafarers to obtain comprehensive information from employers and ship operators regarding the vessel’s route, port of call and security arrangements while remaining in contact with family members. Seafarers should ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency. Three merchant vessels with Indian crew members on board have come under attack within just a week in the Black Sea amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. In the latest attack on Saturday, two Indian crew members went missing after MV AGN Ragnar, a Palau-flagged cargo ship, was attacked by three drones. The remaining seven crew members, including two Indians, were safely evacuated by the Ukrainian coast guard. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv said a search and rescue operation has been launched for the two missing seamen. The two, identified as Chandra Ram Dubey and Deepak Kumar Gupta, reportedly jumped into the sea when the vessel was attacked. Earlier, a vessel identified as the MV Omorfi was struck in Russian territorial waters, killing an Indian crew member. There were 10 crew members on board in total, including three Indian nationals. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) said the deceased was chief officer Sagar Gupta and said he was killed in a “Ukrainian drone attack” while on board the Omorfi at Novorossiysk. It came a day after four Indian seafarers were among 10 crew members killed in multiple strikes on bulk carrier MV Golden Leo, which was carrying 17 crew members. One Indian crew member was critically injured in the Russian strike.India strongly condemned the strikes and summoned a Russian diplomat following the attack on the Golden Leo. The attack was the deadliest of its kind on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea since the war began.But Russia refused to apologise for the attack, saying it will not stop targeting shipping to and from Ukraine. The Kremlin alleged that the vessel in question was “transporting ammunition” or other military goods, without providing evidence.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium reports further attack on oil tankers at its Black Sea terminal - The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) on Thursday said that two more oil tankers were hit in the Black Sea, as Moscow and Kyiv exchanged overnight airstrikes that have killed at least eight people and injured dozens. In a Telegram statement, the CPC said that the crude oil tanker “NISSOS SIFNOS” carrying the flag of the Marshall Islands and owned by the Tengizchevroil company, was targeted overnight in an attack while loading oil at the CPC's single point mooring in its marine terminal in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. “As a result of the drone attack near the oil receiving manifolds, a fire broke out on the cargo deck. It was extinguished by the tanker's crew, along with three CPC support vessels,” the statement said. Indicating there are casualties among CPC employees or contractors, the statement said no oil spill occurred and that the tanker remained buoyant, with damage assessments currently underway. “Oil loading has been suspended, and the pipeline facilities are operating normally,” the statement further said, noting that another vessel, the “MARATHI,” was attacked six nautical miles from the CPC’s marine terminal while en route to receive oil. “Thus, calls from the Republic of Kazakhstan and other foreign CPC shareholders, including through the US State Department, regarding the inadmissibility of using force against international energy infrastructure facilities were ignored,” the statement noted. It added that this created risks to global energy security, disrupted mechanisms for uninterrupted energy trade, caused significant damage to the economic interests of Kazakhstan and CPC shareholders, as well as CPC's shippers, including companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Eni, Total, and Shell. The statement comes as Russia and Ukraine continue trading accusations about overnight attacks, which have killed at least eight people and injured dozens, according to local authorities on Thursday morning. Earlier this month, both Russia and Kazakhstan condemned what they described as Ukrainian drone attacks on vessels loading oil at the CPC marine terminal. Ukraine has acknowledged such attacks in some instances. However, the CPC did not clarify by whom the attacks on Thursday were carried out, while neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities commented on the matter.

Two large oil spills detected off the coast of Makhachkala -Two suspected oil spills with a combined area of more than 600,000 square metres have been detected in the Caspian Sea near Makhachkala, Daghestan. The pollution was identified through satellite imagery published by an environmental monitoring service.According to the satellite analysis, one spill covers around 0.25 square kilometres, while the other measures at approximately 0.41 square kilometres — together an area comparable to more than 90 football pitches. The pollution is believed to consist of oil, although this has not been officially confirmed.According to the analysts, one slick appears to have originated in an oil harbour, while the second, located about eight kilometres from the Makhachkala–Garabogaz shipping route, may have resulted from a spill from a vessel.As of publication, neither Russia’s environmental authorities nor the government of Daghestan had announced an investigation or confirmed the presence of an oil spill.On 25 July, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking one of its merchant vessels in the Caspian Sea, saying one sailor had been killed. According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), its drones struck the Filanovsky offshore oil platform in the Caspian Sea, cargo vessels allegedly transporting military supplies to Iran, and a missile boat on the same day. Neither side reported any environmental consequences from the attacks, and Russia has not commented on the strikes.Environmental experts have repeatedly warned of increasing human pressure on the Caspian Sea as a result of oil production and transport, shipping, and industrial pollution. Oil contamination poses a threat to marine ecosystems, fish stocks, and the Caspian seal population, whose numbers have been dwindling in recent years.In December 2024, the sinking of two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait caused a major fuel oil spill that contaminated parts of the Krasnodar region’s coastline, occupied Crimea, and the Sea of Azov. Although the Caspian Sea is not connected to the Black Sea, environmentalists say such incidents highlight the ecological risks associated with the transport of petroleum products.

Kazakhstan's daily oil output halves after export terminal closure, source says (Reuters) - Kazakhstan, among the world's 10 biggest oil producers, has more ‌than halved its daily oil output after the closure of its main exporting terminal in Russia's Black Sea over drone attacks, an industry source said on Monday. The production decline in Kazakhstan is likely to add to wider global oil supply jitters over the Strait of Hormuz's effective closure and risks of passage over other main sea routes for commodity exports. . It also shows the over-reliance of the world's largest landlocked ⁠country on Russia for its energy exports. The industry source said oil and gas condensate production in Kazakhstan more than halved on Sunday from the average June levels to 133,200 metric tons, or around 1 million barrels per day, from 2.16 million bpd. Kazakhstan's energy ministry said later on Monday that Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline loading operations had resumed after a week-long suspension. The pipeline — which runs from Kazakhstan's giant Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea terminal — accounts for more than 80% of oil exports from the country, where a number of international oil majors operate, including Chevron  and ExxonMobil. The ministry said two oil tankers — Seamajesty and Milos — ‌were ⁠berthed for loading at the CPC terminal. Both vessels were loading U.S. Chevron-led Tengizchevroil volumes, it added. It did not comment on the output cuts. It had said last week that oil companies had reduced output due to export constraints and CPC loadings had been suspended for safety reasons. CPC also said two tankers were berthed at the Black Sea terminal as ⁠of Monday, adding its pipeline has been back online since 12:28 p.m. Moscow time (0928 GMT). The Suezmax vessel Asia chartered by Chevron was also at the Black Sea terminal at midday on Monday, according to LSEG data. Chevron said it "continues to monitor ⁠the situation at CPC", adding that the safety and security of personnel remained its top priority. It declined further comment. More than 1,500 km (940 miles) long, the CPC pipeline runs from Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield in the ⁠west of the country via Russia to the port of Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast. Drones attacked several tankers at or near the terminal as Ukraine and Russia have escalated counterattacks on vessels and other targets as the more-than-four-year war rages on.

Sanctioned oil tanker reportedly leaking oil off Oman - A tanker sanctioned by the European Union and the UK for transporting Russian fuel is suspected of leaking oil in a protected marine area off the coast of Oman, according to Reuters’ analysis of satellite imagery and independent experts.The Caroline Bezengi, which loaded Russian oil at Novorossiysk before its latest voyage, last transmitted an AIS signal on June 11 off the coast of Yemen. Satellite images captured between July 2 and 13 by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites appear to show a silver-grey oil slick in waters southwest of al-Qibliyyah Island. Three independent specialists told Reuters the imagery was consistent with an oil spill. Reuters also reviewed video showing the vessel near the island but could not independently verify when it was recorded.The tanker reportedly experienced difficulties off the Yemeni port of Mukalla on June 8, according to two maritime security sources, one of whom confirmed the spill.The cause remains unclear and may have resulted from a mechanical failure or damage linked to regional conflict.The vessel’s owner, Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement, could not be reached for comment, while Oman’s Maritime Security Centre and Environment Authority did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.To remind, according to ITOPF, the total volume of oil lost to the environment from tanker spills in 2025 was approximately 4,000 tons, compared to 10,000 tons in 2024.

Six Saudi Oil Tankers Reroute Around Africa to Dodge Houthi Threat - Half a dozen empty Saudi oil tankers have turned away in the Arabian Sea from the Red Sea chokepoint Bab el-Mandeb and headed south around Africa in the western direction, in highly unusual moves for tankers loading crude from the Middle East.All six tankers turned away from Bab el-Mandeb after the Houthi threats to Saudi shipping and actual attacks on tankers prompted Saudi Arabia to re-route its crude oil exports, again, to Egypt.The tankers are indicating destinations such as either Gibraltar or the South African ports of Durban or Algoa Bay, all of which are major refueling hubs, according to vessel-tracking data monitored by Bloomberg. The round-Africa trip would add at least two weeks to the journey of a supertanker compared to a trip through Bab el-Mandeb northward toward the Suez Canal.Separately, more than half a dozen empty supertankers were en route to Egypt's Sidi Kerir port early this week to pick up Saudi crude, as the world's top crude oil exporter is re-routing – again – its export tactics to avoid the new threat for the Middle East's chokepoints, the Bab el-Mandeb.Since the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen announced last week a blockade on Saudi shipments in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Saudi Arabia has been shuttling on tankers more crude from Yanbu to the Egyptian port of Ain Sukhna on the Red Sea, and then on the SUMED onshore pipeline to Egypt's Sidi Kerir port.The Houthi threat, which resulted in attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea last week, has prompted Saudi and Western operators to divert laden tankers to the Suez Canal in Egypt to bypass the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.At least eight empty very large crude carriers (VLCCs) are signaling the port of Sidi Kerir as their destination, with all expected to arrive in the coming two to three weeks, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.The Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb have already forced at least one oil tanker carrying Saudi crude to Asia to choose the much longer route through the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, and around Africa.

U.S.-Saudi Consortium Plans $5 Billion Gulf Refinery Outside Hormuz - A consortium of U.S. and Saudi companies is set to build a new refinery in the Persian Gulf despite the current situation in the region. The facility will have a price tag of $5 billion and a capacity of 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily, Reuters has reported.The consortium, dubbed MERA Oil, includes Texas-based MWG Group, the Patel Family Office, and PWS, a company associated with Saudi AHQ Group. The partners are currently selecting the site of the new facility, with a short list of three possible locations from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The GCC is comprised of six Gulf states.Besides a refinery, the project will also feature a deepwater port, storage capacity, and export facilities, the report said. The location will be outside the Strait of Hormuz, the consortium said.At a future date, the complex may add sustainable aviation fuel processing capacity and carbon management facilities, Reuters also said in its report.Earlier this week, Saudi Aramco had to shut down its Jazan refinery, removing 400,000 barrels daily from global refining capacity, following a strike by the Yemeni Houthis. The attack took place Saturday, and video verified by Reuters showed a large plume of smoke rising from the refinery. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group also struck Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Saudi Aramco has not commented on the damage or restart schedule. Per media reports, repairs at Jazan will take until mid-August.The shutdown will aggravate an already rather severe supply situation in refined fuels, which analysts have been warning about for months but only began to bite in the past couple of weeks, as crack spreads soared to an all-time high due to the gap between demand for fuels and their supply amid fighting in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and Russia. On the good news side, Russia has begun restarting refineries damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. On the bad news side, its ban on diesel exports is still in place.

Oil Prices Ignore the Warning Signs in Physical Markets - Oil price movements since the start of March this year have become the topic of dozens of discussions. Many have been puzzled by futures prices and why they haven’t gone through the roof given the severe disruption in Middle Eastern supply. It appears the reason is sheer optimism and a bet on market adaptability. However, there is a problem with that. Adaptability has limits. Many commentators like to compare the current oil price—and supply—situation to 2022, when Russia’s incursion into eastern Ukraine prompted an actual surge in oil prices, with Brent going almost all the way to $140 per barrel. At the time, the biggest fear on oil markets was that Western sanctions would cripple crude and fuel flows from the world’s second-largest exporter. Yet nature, or rather oil, found a way and Russian oil, gasoline, and diesel continued flowing abroad. This is the basis for the current optimism for Middle Eastern oil and for a while, it was a reasonable enough basis for optimism, even though the Middle Eastern oil disruption was far greater than the Russian one—and a lot more literal. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, oil infrastructure became a target for drone and missile strikes, and Gulf states had to shut wells down for lack of storage capacity. Yet they adapted. Saudi Arabia has managed to redirect oil flows from the East to the West and use the Red Sea port of Yanbu to ship the crude abroad. The UAE redirected flows as well, and Iraq is considering doing the same thing whenever it builds the capacity. The market, in other words, adapted. This kept a cap on futures prices along with a general hope for a peace deal despite precious little evidence that there is a real desire for peace on either of the warring sides. This hope has persisted in the face of broken ceasefire deals, inflammatory rhetoric, and a string of mutual threats and failed negotiations. The hope that adaptability will prevail over physical oil supply disruptions appears to be just as strong, again, despite mounting evidence that caution may be advisable. Reuters’ Clyde Russell summed up the sentiment in a column this week, writing that “In effect, it may be the case that the market is betting that crude and refined product traders will be able to mitigate the worst of the Iran crisis.” Unfortunately for those doing that betting, warning signs are flashing, especially in oil products. Crack spreads are at all-time highs, reflecting an increasingly tighter market, with some analysts suggesting this may only be the beginning. In fact, some analysts have been warning since the spring that if the war extended beyond June, all bets would be off, with global crude inventories depleted and shortages emerging in fuels. This is exactly what is happening, albeit perhaps more slowly than many would imagine given the dramatic nature of developments. Global oil inventories are not yet empty, but they are being drawn down considerably, with the U.S. SPR nearing a critical level. Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel supply is tightening because demand is outpacing supply, suggesting that the disruption in Middle Eastern energy exports has indeed been severe enough to warrant a closer look than just futures markets. Yet, optimism persists. Brent and WTI are down below $90 per barrel because the U.S. and Iran are not bombing each other across Hormuz at the moment. There is no solid evidence of efforts to reach peace, only this pause in hostilities. It is time for more attention to be paid to physical markets than to futures oil price charts.

Oil Prices Plunge Over 8% as US and Iran Pause Strikes, Reviving Hopes for Strait of Hormuz Shipping -- Oil prices tumbled sharply Monday, with the non-expiry crude contract dropping 8.21% to $82.24, as a weekend pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran raised hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough that could restore normal shipping traffic through one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints. Oil prices tumbled more than 5% Monday after the U.S. and Iran paused strikes over the weekend following two weeks of attacks, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would de-escalate the conflict and allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell $5.70, or around 5.9%, to $91.08 a barrel by early morning trading, briefly slipping under the key support level of $90 during the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude traded at $84.51 a barrel, down $4.80, or roughly 5.4%. Oil prices fell further after Iran reportedly indicated it would suspend its own attacks as long as the U.S. pause in hostilities remains in place, easing concerns after nearly two weeks of escalating conflict in the region. International benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery fell 7.4% to around $89.58 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for September delivery dropped 6.8% to $83.25 a barrel.Iran indicated it would stop carrying out attacks as long as the United States also refrains from striking, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters on Sunday. The pause follows Washington's decision to suspend its bombing campaign after President Trump's advisers reportedly warned that the military was running low on viable targets and raised concerns about depleting U.S. munitions stockpiles. Even with the de-escalation, actual maritime traffic through the region's most critical waterway has yet to meaningfully recover. Fewer than 10 commodity vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily during the weekend, according to shipping data from Kpler. MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic said any rebound in flows through the Strait is likely to prove slow and only partial, since many shippers remain cautious and will want greater confidence in vessel safety before sending more empty ships back into the waterway.In addition, ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait fell Sunday after Yemeni Houthi forces attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, though a third Chinese supertanker did manage to exit through the strait during the same period. Despite Monday's sharp price move, market analysts cautioned that a pause in fighting does not guarantee a swift return to normal oil flows from the region. One analyst noted that a stay of military strikes might look like an improvement on paper, but it comes with no guarantees that oil will soon resume flowing from the area, adding that prices are more likely to keep falling if elevated energy costs once again weigh on global demand rather than because of fragile, short-term ceasefires.The optimism driving Monday's selloff comes even as fighting has not fully stopped. Despite renewed prospects for peace, strikes continued in recent days, with Iranian forces firing ballistic missiles at Kuwait and sending attack drones toward the Strait of Hormuz. That continued military activity has left analysts wary of declaring the conflict fully resolved, even as headline oil prices react favorably to diplomatic signals.Monday's decline is only the latest swing in what has been an extraordinarily volatile period for crude prices this year, as the Middle East conflict has repeatedly pushed prices sharply higher during periods of active fighting, only to see them retreat just as quickly whenever ceasefire talks gain momentum. Both Brent and WTI contracts were trading at their lowest levels in nearly a week on Monday, following three consecutive weeks of price increases driven by the escalating conflict. Brent crude had climbed as high as $100 per barrel at the peak of the conflict, as fighting disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and spilled over into the Red Sea, hindering exports from Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The pullback in oil prices has had ripple effects across broader financial markets, easing inflation concerns and boosting risk appetite among investors. Major U.S. stock indices advanced Monday as falling energy costs reduced pressure on interest rate expectations, with the retreat in crude prices seen as a modestly positive development for consumers and businesses that had been bracing for a prolonged period of elevated energy costs tied to the conflict.With Iran's willingness to maintain the pause contingent on the U.S. continuing to refrain from strikes, the durability of Monday's price relief remains uncertain. Traders and analysts will be watching closely in the coming days for signs of whether shipping volumes through the Strait of Hormuz begin to meaningfully recover, or whether the current lull in fighting proves to be only a temporary reprieve in a conflict that has repeatedly flared back up after periods of apparent calm. For now, markets appear to be pricing in cautious optimism, even as the underlying security situation in the Gulf remains far from fully resolved.

Oil Plunges on Easing Supply Risks as US Pauses Attacks -- Crude oil futures tumbled more than 6% Monday morning after the U.S. on late Friday halted attacks on Iran after a 13-day bombing campaign. Iran in response announced that it will not carry out any further strikes for as long as the U.S. keeps the pause. By 8:30 a.m. ET, ICE Brent for September delivery was down $6.38 to trade near $90.40 bbl, and NYMEX WTI for September delivery fell $5.22 to $84.09 bbl. Downstream, NYMEX ULSD futures for August delivery eased $0.0453 to $4.1353 gallon, and front-month RBOB futures retreated $0.0898 to $3.3061 gallon. The U.S. Dollar Index edged lower by 0.087 points to 101.215 against a basket of foreign currencies. Oil prices have rocketed amid the war escalation over the past two weeks, which not only disrupted exports from the Persian Gulf, but also expanded to a new front, threatening oil flows in the Red Sea. While the two-day break in fighting over the weekend eased oil supply woes and raised hopes of a return to the negotiating table, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained muted. Signs of easing supply disruptions also came from the Black Sea, where ship tracking data showed empty tankers heading to Kazakh oil terminals. Operations have been suspended since early last week after several drone strikes on tankers loading at the terminal. The subsequent halt of the CPC pipeline transporting some 1.2 to 1.4 million bpd of crude oil from the Caspian Sea to Novorossiysk led to a backlog of crude forcing producers to throttle output. Oil supply, however, will be slow to return amid an uncertain quasi-truce between the U.S. and Iran and recent Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers. The four-month long supply squeeze has destroyed oil demand, and soaring prices have weighed on fuel demand and economic growth. Market participants will be parsing several key macroeconomic indicators scheduled for release this week to gauge demand developments. Preliminary readings for second quarter GDP growth in the U.S. and the Eurozone are set to be published Thursday, July 30. Several consumer sentiment reports for both economies, as well as manufacturing PMIs for China, are also on tap this week.

Oil prices tumble as US and Iran hold off on strikes over weekend --Oil prices tumbled on Monday as the US and Iran held off on strikes for the third day in a row, raising hopes that a diplomatic solution might emerge even as the physical oil market remains fundamentally tight. Futures on Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by more than 6.5% on Monday to trade near $90 per barrel after recresting $100 only days ago. Those on US benchmark WTI crude shed roughly 5.8% to trade near $84. As the US and Iran had engaged in more than 10 days straight of military engagement, trading strikes that destroyed infrastructure and killed several US service members, oil prices had steadily ticked back up toward their wartime high levels. President Trump said to Axios on Thursday that he was considering a "massive strike … bigger than ever before," but ultimately ordered the US military to stand down on Friday, per the news outlet. Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told Fox News on Sunday that Trump had ordered the pause in US military engagement to allow breathing room for diplomacy. Pressuring oil prices upward through last week as well were attacks on Saudi Arabian crude tankers in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi militant group, threatening to cut off the roughly 5 million barrels per day of oil Saudi Arabia is sending by pipeline from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, circumventing the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks in the Red Sea appeared to slow over the weekend, however, allowing oil markets a bit more breathing room. Even so, traffic levels through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, remain depressed, averaging 31 vessels per day over the weekend and marking a 50% drop in tonnage terms versus the second quarter's daily average, per Clarksons Research. In the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint at the center of the US-Iran war, traffic has also remained subdued, with only 13 crossings observed over the weekend, roughly 95% below prewar averages, per Clarksons. That dynamic has effectively left the US to struggle between the best of two poor options. While significant escalation threatens widespread retaliation by Iran and a wider regional war, any slowdown risks ceding even more control of the Strait of Hormuz to the Islamic Republic, which the US has described as unacceptable. "The US and Iran are at loggerheads still … The battle appears intractable and requires a major compromise from either the US or Iran to resolve," Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda said, noting that strikes have been put on hold as the US "rethink[s] their effectiveness." The hasty rise and fall in oil prices over the past two weeks complicates the picture for the Federal Reserve, set to announce its July interest rate decision on Wednesday. Volatility in oil markets, not just high prices, can drive inflation higher, according to Bank of America economists Claudio Irigoyen and Antonio Gabriel, as the prices of other goods and services pushed higher by more expensive oil can be slower to come back down than oil prices. As the US searches for potential diplomatic off-ramps, the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, which has all but died amid the past weeks of renewed conflict, will be central to those discussions. At the center of any negotiations will be control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of Iran's nuclear programs, negotiations over which had not fully begun when the deal began to crumble. News that the US would provide Saudi Arabia with the means to potentially enrich its own uranium in US-provided nuclear reactors is also likely to complicate negotiations. While the deal is intended to allow Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program only, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has insisted that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, the kingdom will do so as well.

Oil Market Plunges as U.S. Pauses Iran Air Strikes - The crude oil market gapped lower on Monday and ended the session 7.5% lower after the U.S. suspended its air strike campaign against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution. On Sunday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, said U.S. President Donald Trump decided to pause U.S. attacks to allow more time for diplomacy. The market gapped lower from $87.68 to $86.12 on the opening. The market partially backfilled its gap as it posted a high of $86.20 and continued to trend lower to a low of $82.12. President Trump told Axios News that the U.S. is in “very deep talks with Iran” but threatened he is ready for “strong military action” if diplomacy fails. Meanwhile, Iran appeared to test the pause in the U.S. military campaign, with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reporting drone attacks on Monday. Also, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen said they targeted the East-West Pipeline carrying oil to Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port of Yanbu. The market later retraced some of its losses, only to trade back towards its low later in the session. The September WTI contract settled down $6.70 at $82.61 and the September Brent contract settled down $8.42 at $88.36. The product markets ended the session lower, with the heating oil market settling down 6.9 cents at $4.1116 and the RB market settling down 6.86 cents at $3.3273. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they targeted a number of sensitive crude oil supply and transport sites linking eastern Saudi Arabia to the critical Red Sea oil export hub of Yanbu. Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the operation was in response to what he described as Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. Saudi Arabia has re-routed its crude output to Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to get around Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which began after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran in February. Bloomberg reported that despite the conflict in the Middle East, China’s crude imports likely increased this month from the lowest level in more than a decade. According to Kpler data, flows from the Persian Gulf briefly increased following the U.S.-Iran interim peace agreement in June, and those cargoes have finally arrived in China. Baker Hughes said it expects annual global spending by oil and gas producers to decline modestly this year, with growth in Latin America, offshore Africa, and North America land offset by lower spending in Europe and the Middle East. In North America, it expects further seasonal recovery in the third quarter, with Brazil and Mexico driving growth in Latin America. IIR Energy said U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 221,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending July 31st, increasing available refining capacity by 23,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to fall to 94,000 bpd in the week ending August 7th. Phillips 66 reported a unit upset at its 345,000 bpd Wood River, Illinois refinery on Sunday due to a power outage. Separately, Phillips 66 reported that it experienced a unit upset resulting in flaring at its 277,000 bpd Sweeny refinery and petrochemical complex in Texas.

Oil Prices Extend Losses as U.S.-Iran Calm Holds for Another Night  - Oil prices continued to trend lower in early Asian trade on Tuesday as a fourth night passed without any attacks from either Iran or the United States.At the time of writing, WTI crude was trading at $80.98 per barrel, down 1.97% on the session, while Brent crude had slipped to $86.80 per barrel, a decline of 1.77%.On Monday, President Trump sought to boost hopes of a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran by claiming that the U.S. was engaged in "good talks" with Iran. Iranian officials echoed that sentiment, although both parties have made it clear that they are ready to restart hostilities at any point should diplomacy fail.Despite the pullback, oil prices remain elevated as shipping disruptions continue to weigh on Middle East energy flows, with particular concerns over Red Sea traffic as the Houthis attempt to replicate Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait did drop on Sunday following a Houthi attack on Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, but the Yemeni group does not pose quite as large a threat as Iran does over Hormuz.Alongside a falling geopolitical risk premium, demand destruction is helping to drag prices lower, with $100 oil already hurting consumption. Last week, the EIA reported inventory builds across the board, which was perhaps one of the first signs of demand destruction kicking in. Markets will be closely watching the American Petroleum Institute inventory estimates due out later today to confirm that trend.For now, geopolitics remain front and center for oil markets, with any escalation in the Middle East sure to send prices soaring while signs of a diplomatic breakthrough will send prices even lower.

Oil prices fall 5% to two-week low on hopes for US-Iran conflict easing – CNA - Oil prices dropped 5 per cent on Tuesday to a two-week low, on cautious hopes for a resolution to the Iran war as traders assessed developments in the Middle East. Brent futures fell $4.61, or 5.2 per cent, to $83.75 a barrel at 12:01 p.m. EDT (1601 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $4.06, or 4.9 per cent, to $78.55. After dropping about 17 per cent over three days, both crude benchmarks were on track for their lowest closes since July 13. Oman has presented Iran with a plan backed by Gulf states to manage the Strait of Hormuz, including collecting voluntary fees for using it, a Gulf source and a Western diplomat told Reuters. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran had yet to respond to the Omani proposals, intended to serve as a basis to end the disruption to trade through the strait caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Before the war began on February 28, about a fifth of global oil supplies flowed through the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump, who abruptly called off a two-week bombing campaign over the weekend in his latest strategic U-turn, reported "good talks" underway with Iran but threatened to restart strikes unless negotiations deliver. Iran has denied seeking to resume talks with the U.S. In a move that would reduce crude demand, Saudi Aramco shut down its 400,000-barrel-per-day Jizan oil refinery in Saudi Arabia on July 27 following an attack by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen on Saturday, a note from consultancy IIR seen by Reuters showed. The Houthi conflict has disrupted shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, creating a second chokepoint for oil flows. Saudi Aramco has considered a new pricing mechanism for crude loading from Egypt's Sidi Kerir port for Asia to reflect higher shipping costs after re-routing exports through the Suez Mediterranean pipeline. On Monday, 28 vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb, a four-day high, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low, according to Kpler shipping data. In Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he and Trump had discussed reinvigorating peace talks with Russia. A settlement in the Ukraine war could result in the lifting of some sanctions on Russia, which could allow Moscow to export more oil. Russia was the world's third-biggest crude oil producer behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in 2025, according to U.S. energy data. The U.S. dollar held near a four-week high against a basket of other currencies, as traders grew more concerned the Federal Reserve might raise U.S. interest rates this week. Most major brokerages expect the Fed to hold rates steady, though a growing number said elevated oil prices could prompt a rate hike. A stronger U.S. dollar makes oil more expensive for many global buyers. Central banks raise rates to fight inflation by boosting consumer borrowing costs, which can slow economic growth and dent demand for oil. The market awaited weekly storage reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) trade group on Tuesday and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday. Analysts estimated energy firms pulled 1.4 million barrels of crude from storage during the week ended July 24. If correct, that would be the second week of declines in three weeks, after an increase of 7.7 million barrels in the same week last year and an average decline of 1.0 million barrels over the past five years (2021 to 2025).

Oil Prices Fall 4% as Hopes for U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Ease Supply Disruption Fears - The oil market continued to sell off, breaching a support line and ending the session 4% lower on hopes for a resolution to the U.S.-Iran war. The market remained under pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump, who called off a two-week military campaign over the weekend, stated that “good talks” were underway with Iran, while also threatening to restart strikes if negotiations failed. Meanwhile, Oman gained support from Gulf countries for a plan that would let Iran collect voluntary fees to use the Strait of Hormuz. The crude market posted a high of $82.43 in overnight trading and continued on its downward trend, breaching a support line at $79.22 and retraced more than 50% of its move from a low of $67.12 to a high of $93.50 as it posted a low of $77.78 in afternoon trading. The market later settled in a sideways trading range ahead of the close. The September WTI contract ended the session down $3.35 at $79.26 and the September Brent contact settled down $4.27 at $84.09. The product markets ended the session higher, with the heating oil market settling up 3.93 cents at $4.1509 and the RB market settling up 72 points at $3.3345. Technical Analysis: The crude market will remain headline driven as the market waits to see if there can be a diplomatic solution to end the war with Iran and whether Oman agrees to Iran’s proposed temporary arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected an Omani proposal for an equal division of transit routes between the two countries. The oil market is seen finding support at $77.78, $77.39, $77.20, $72.51 and $70.68. Meanwhile, resistance is seen at $82.43, $83.79, $85.64, $86.20 to $87.68 followed by $92.83 and $93.50. Fundamental News: Yemen’s Houthis said that they had fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, accusing the vessel of violating what they described as their maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and ignoring warning calls. The Iran-aligned group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the vessel was forced to turn back. According to Kpler shipping data, the number of vessels passing through Bab el-Mandeb increased to 28 on Monday, a four-day high, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low, amid optimism about a potential resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Traffic was still below the month’s peak of 46 vessels recorded on July 14th. Out of 12 vessels that entered the Red Sea on Monday, four were oil tankers. The 16 vessels that exited the Red Sea on Monday included 10 oil tankers. Hong Kong-flagged VLCC New Pearl carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude exited the Red Sea for eastern China’s Zhoushan port, the fourth Chinese supertanker to leave since the Houthis declared a naval blockade. Meanwhile, traffic via the Strait of Hormuz remained low with six commodity-carrying vessels transiting the waterway on Monday, including one Iranian-linked Suezmax tanker and a VLCC which entered with its transponder off. Of those vessels, four entered the strait and two exited it. Seven vessels transited the strait on Sunday, including three Iranian-linked oil products tankers that exited the strait. Kpler and AXSMarine data showed that visible crude loadings from the Red Sea port of Yanbu fell by at least 30% last week after Yemen’s Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia, while Vortexa estimated that exports remained broadly stable, citing a rise in so-called dark tanker loadings. Data from Kpler, Signal Ocean and AXSMarine shows average exports of crude and condensate fell to between 2.4 million and 3 million bpd in the week starting July 20th. Exports in the previous week had averaged 4.23 million bpd, according to Kpler. AXSMarine said loading voyages fell to 16 last week from 35 in the previous week. Data from Vortexa showed loadings at 3.8 million bpd last week, broadly stable from the previous week. The company said the use of dark loads had increased, with four VLCCs, one Suezmax and one Aframax loading with AIS transponders switched off, accounting for about a third of volumes lifted during the week.

Crude oil jumps 5% as US intercepts Iranian 'surprise attack’. Big rally ahead? -Oil prices climbed 5% after three straight days of losses as fighting resumed in the Middle East, ending several days of relative calm and reviving concerns over potential disruptions to energy supplies. The move followed a report from the U.S. military that it had intercepted an Iranian "surprise attack" on its forces and responded with strikes against the Islamic Republic.Brent crude jumped 5% to around $88 a barrel, recovering after its biggest three-day decline since April 2020. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced $.67, or .47%, to $83.The escalation has once again put the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of investor attention. Any disruption to oil supplies could add to inflationary pressures just days before the Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday.Markets are already facing uncertainty as investors pull back from technology stocks amid growing doubts over whether the huge spending on artificial intelligence will generate adequate returns.Oil prices have swung sharply during the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, which has disrupted crude flows around the world, with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz adding to concerns.Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump ended a two-week U.S. bombing campaign over the weekend and said on Fox News on Tuesday that there had been "good talks" with Iran. He also warned that the U.S. could carry out further strikes if negotiations fail. Iran, however, has rejected the suggestion that it is seeking to resume talks with Washington. The direction of oil prices will depend heavily on how long the disruption lasts. JPMorgan estimates that every additional month of supply disruption could add around $7 to $8 a barrel to Brent prices. A three-month disruption could push monthly average Brent prices to about $114 a barrel. Goldman Sachs has similarly warned that Brent could climb to $120 a barrel if shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil transit route, continue. Its base case is still that tensions in the Middle East will eventually ease. Under that scenario, Goldman Sachs expects Brent to average $80 a barrel in the fourth quarter and $75 next year. However, the bank said the risks to those forecasts remain "tilted to the upside", pointing to the possibility that shipping disruptions could persist through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

Oil prices spike AGAIN as Donald Trump threatens to 'hit Iran hard' - Oil prices have jumped by around seven per cent as the US-Iran war continues to rage on after President Donald Trump pledged to hit back at Iran amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The Islamic Republic's threats to shipping via the Bab el-Mandeb pushed WTI above $84 (£63.19) and brent closed to around $90 (£67.71). This comes hours before the US Federal Reserve's Federal Open Mark Committee (FOMC) announces any changes to the country's interest rates, with the likely rise in energy bills expected to cause a spike in inflation. Speaking to the press, President Trump asserted that the US will "hit Iran hard" after the regime targeting an American military base in Jordan. Oil prices have spiked again as President Trump promises to 'hit Iran hard' | GETTY / OIL PRICE At the same time, Iranian-backed Houthis have openly floated levying fees on commercial shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Over recent months, oil prices and energy bills have shot up in response to Iran effectively closing off the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping route used to transport 20 per cent of the world's reserves. As the conflict continues to spill over, US and Saudi-backed forces have issued strikes against Houthi militias in Yemen. Last week, the European Central Bank (ECB) opted to hold interest rates for the economic bloc at 2.25 per cent. With the Fed preparing to announce its latest decision later today, Britons are preparing for the Bank of England's announcement regarding the cost of borrowing tomorrow. The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has opted to hold the UK's base rate at 3.75 per cent over recent months. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, central banks across the world have chosen to raise interest rates in an effort to rein in inflationary concerns. Analysts warn the post-pandemic recovery could take longer if the cost of borrowing across developed economies remains elevated for much longer. Danni Hewson, AJ Bell head of financial analysis, said: "With nerves about the potential inflationary impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East colliding with worries about soaring tech capex, it’s been tough to find the optimism, even if London markets enjoyed a continued boost from big oil and defence stocks as investors adjust to the changing political and geopolitical landscapes. "It’s worth remembering that at the start of the month the price was hovering around $70 a barrel and markets had dared to hope that central bankers might be able to seamlessly shift from a pause to further cuts. "Though the ECB held firm there’s little doubt that unless tensions de-escalate quickly, September’s rate story will be one of hikes. “And the fluctuations over the past months are having a significant impact on the airline sector, with American Airlines the latest to trim profit forecasts for the year as higher prices more than offset resilient demand from travellers."

WTI Holds Spike After Big Crude Draw, SPR Drain Continues As Cushing Stocks Stuck At 'Tank Bottoms' Oil prices are jumping higher after the U.S. military intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in Jordan. Shortly after the surprise attack, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched strikes in Iraq against Iran-backed groups that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously directed to attack American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure. As Barron's Patrick O'Donnell reports, the escalation in hostilities hit market hopes that the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway would reopen. More than a quarter of the world's crude usually passes through the shipping channel and tanker traffic remains essentially halted. "These developments throw cold water on the idea of a swift de-escalation in the Persian Gulf," analysts at ING said. "Clearly, with Saudi oil infrastructure increasingly targeted, the risk of more prolonged supply disruptions grows." President Trump this morning threatened to hit Iran “hard,” while the US and Saudi Arabia retaliated against militia and weapons sites in Iraq linked to Tehran. Overnight, we saw API report a sizable crude draw but product builds (as the crack spread has eased somewhat)... API:

• Crude -3.3mm
• Cushing -300k
• Gasoline +900k
• Distillates +400k

DOE:

• Crude -7.17mm
• Cushing -771k
• Gasoline +7k
• Distillates +1.06mm

The official DoE data shows a much larger crude drawdown than expected, and another drop in the stocks at the crucial Cushing Hub. Products saw small builds... The Trump administration continues to drain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Cushing stocks remain near 'tank bottoms'... US crude production remains just off record highs... WTI is holding back above $84.50... Finally, as Bloomberg's Michael Ball notes, the selloff earlier in the week was driven more by liquidation than normalization. Observable Hormuz traffic remains impaired, insurers and shipowners are cautious, not only through the Strait but now in the Red Sea. Trend-following funds cut Brent length sharply, while falling aggregate open interest shows positions were closed into heavy volume earlier in the week before the latest escalation. The curve and options markets tell a similar story. Brent and WTI backwardation narrowed as longer-dated spreads fell to their weakest since mid-July, reflecting less urgency around prompt supply. Brent implied volatility dropped this week before firming again overnight. However, call skew retained an upside bias, something be justified by oil prices on the rise again. The tighter market is in products. The European gasoil crack has surged above $70 a barrel as refiners run near capacity, with diesel and jet supplies constrained by outages, shipping risks and reduced Russian exports. Crude stocks can rebuild quickly; refining capacity cannot. Headline prices remain sensitive to kinetic and diplomatic developments, while product scarcity and impaired shipping mean the bottom of a developing trading range will be higher than the recent lows suggest for no

Oil jumps 7% on escalating Middle East airstrikes (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed about 7% on Wednesday as airstrikes resumed in the Middle East, adding to worries ‌about dwindling supply as U.S. government data showed domestic crude inventories fell to a multi-year low. Brent futures settled $6.65, or 7.91%, higher to $90.74 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $5.20, or 6.56%, to $84.46 a barrel.. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq on Wednesday, blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. A The strikes came hours after the U.S. military said it had averted a surprise Iranian attack on U.S. troops in the region. Iran said it had fired on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and at U.S. bases in Jordan. In Egypt, explosions hit ⁠a natural gas loading port on the Mediterranean Sea, and British maritime security company Ambrey said a U.S.-owned floating storage tanker there had been hit by a drone. "The market is rapidly pricing in the enhanced risk to supplies in the region once again," Prices surged even higher after President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News, promised further strikes against Iran. The U.S. issued another round of Iran-related sanctions, taking aim at Tehran's efforts to "monetize the Strait of Hormuz" with designations of 10 entities and eight more tankers, the U.S. Treasury Department said. Tehran has ruled out Oman's proposal for regional joint management of the strait, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday. "We believe Brent oil prices will continue to whipsaw in the $80-$100 per barrel range in the near term as the conflict ebbs and flows in the Middle East," have transited the strait this week. Five transited on Wednesday through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an alternative route for Saudi oil shipments to Asia, and 39 on Tuesday. That was the highest number since July 19, just before Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are also considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, regional sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. China has held direct talks with the group to enable ⁠its tankers to sail through the region without being attacked, six sources with knowledge of the matter said. "From what I can see, their success in stopping flows through the Bab el-Mandeb is nowhere near as effective as in the Strait of Hormuz, though it appears there are more ships entering than exiting," U.S. crude oil inventories fell last week as energy exports remained robust and domestic demand firm, analysts said. Crude stockpiles dropped by 7.2 million barrels to 404.5 million barrels last week, the lowest level since 2018, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a 1.3-million-barrel draw. Further ⁠supporting prices, OPEC+ is likely to halt oil output increases for three months starting in October, sources told Reuters, after the producer group completes the scheduled return of barrels following voluntary cuts.

Oil Prices Surge as Middle East Tensions Raise Supply Concerns and Markets Monitor Strait of Hormuz – Global oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday as escalating military tensions in the Middle East heightened concerns over potential disruptions to energy supplies, while investors also weighed the possibility that diplomatic efforts could eventually ease the conflict and restore stability to one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Brent crude futures rose $1.48, or 1.63%, to $92.22 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 43 cents, or 0.51%, to $84.89 per barrel during early trading. The gains followed one of the strongest daily rallies in recent months after both benchmark contracts surged between 7% and 8% in the previous session as geopolitical risks intensified. Energy markets have remained highly volatile as investors react to rapidly changing developments in the Middle East. Traders have been balancing fears of supply disruptions against hopes that diplomatic negotiations could eventually reduce tensions and prevent a broader regional conflict that might threaten global oil exports. The latest increase in prices came after the United States launched military strikes against targets in Iran following heightened hostilities between the two countries. The military action followed an Iranian missile attack earlier in the week on a U.S. military installation in Jordan, prompting a forceful response that further increased concerns about the possibility of a wider regional confrontation. Military operations expanded further after U.S. forces, alongside Saudi Arabia, carried out strikes against Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq. The action marked a significant development in the conflict and ended several days of relative calm in U.S. military operations against Iranian-linked targets. The renewed escalation has heightened uncertainty across global financial markets, particularly in the energy sector, where traders remain sensitive to any developments that could affect production or transportation of crude oil from the Middle East. Market analysts said European traders responded to news of the overnight military strikes by increasing purchases of crude oil futures, reflecting concerns that additional attacks could threaten supply routes or energy infrastructure across the region. Adding to supply concerns, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium temporarily suspended oil-loading operations after a drone attack targeted one of its tankers. The disruption raised fresh questions about the security of oil transportation infrastructure at a time when global energy markets are already facing elevated geopolitical risks. Despite the sharp rise in prices, many analysts believe investors are increasingly focusing on actual supply conditions rather than military headlines alone. They noted that while geopolitical events often trigger immediate spikes in oil prices, those gains can fade if crude exports continue without significant interruption. Attention remains centered on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to international markets and carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil exports, making any disruption to shipping a major concern for global energy supplies. Traders are closely monitoring whether commercial vessels can continue moving safely through the strait. So far, shipping activity has continued despite the heightened military tensions, helping to limit even larger increases in crude prices. Analysts also said investors continue to watch for signs of renewed diplomatic engagement that could help de-escalate the conflict. Financial markets have repeatedly shown that while military developments can drive sudden price movements, sustained gains generally depend on whether the conflict materially affects oil production or transportation. One market strategist noted that recent trading has followed a familiar pattern in which geopolitical headlines trigger rapid price increases, only for markets to later reassess the situation based on actual disruptions to supply and progress toward diplomatic solutions. There were also indications that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has not come to a complete halt. Iranian media reported that a liquefied natural gas tanker carrying cargo from Qatar successfully transited the waterway after receiving authorization to use a designated shipping route. Shipping data indicated that the vessel, which had loaded liquefied natural gas at Qatar’s Ras Laffan export terminal earlier in the month, completed its passage through the strait overnight without reported incident. The successful transit offered some reassurance that commercial shipping remains possible despite heightened security concerns. The continued movement of oil and liquefied natural gas cargoes through the region remains one of the most closely watched indicators for global energy markets. Any prolonged disruption to exports from the Gulf could tighten global supplies, increase fuel costs and place additional inflationary pressure on economies around the world. For now, energy markets remain caught between two competing forces: fears that military escalation could threaten one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, and cautious optimism that diplomatic efforts may eventually prevent a broader conflict and allow oil exports to continue largely uninterrupted. Investors are expected to remain highly sensitive to developments in the coming days as geopolitical events continue to shape the outlook for global crude prices.

Oil Prices Slip as Iran, Oman Explore Hormuz Deal – Caspianpost - Oil prices moved lower as Iran and Oman exchanged proposals for an agreement on the management of the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures dropped by $1.42, or 1.56%, to $89.32 per barrel shortly before 13:30 GMT, after earlier climbing to an intraday high of $93.31, The Caspian Post reports, citing Al Jazeera.Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell by $1.14, or 1.35%, to $83.32 per barrel, having previously reached a session high of $85.94. "The fact that Oman is in talks with Iran could suggest that progress is being made on re-opening the Strait of Hormuz," said Hamad Hussain, a climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics.

Oil Prices Steady After Surging on US-Iran Escalation-- Oil prices edged lower Thursday morning, holding onto most of Wednesday's jump, which came on the back of escalating fighting in the Middle East, including the return of U.S. strikes on Iran. By 08:50 a.m. EDT, ICE Brent for September delivery was down $0.52 to trade near $90.22 barrel (bbl) and NYMEX WTI for September delivery retreated $0.37 to $84.09 bbl. Downstream, NYMEX ULSD futures for August delivery fell $0.1140 to $4.2561 gallon, and front-month RBOB futures slid $0.0518 to $3.3460 gallon. The U.S. Dollar Index softened by 0.234 points to 100.495 against a basket of foreign currencies. An escalating and widening conflict in the Middle East supported prices. Early Wednesday, U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched a coordinated attack on Iran-aligned militias in Iraq which had earlier this week attacked Saudi oil infrastructure. This marked the first time since the start of the war five months ago that the kingdom officially and actively participated in military action. Later that day, a drone of yet unknown origin struck an LNG tanker in the Red Sea, amplifying concerns over potential disruptions to Saudi oil flows bypassing the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Fighting around the Persian Gulf also ramped up with the U.S. military saying it had carried out dozens of strikes on targets inside Iran in retaliation for an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, the first direct strikes on Iran since the 13-day U.S. bombing campaign was halted last Friday. Trackable tanker traffic through the strait remained depressed on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in yet another blow to global oil supply, Kazakh oil loadings on Thursday had to again be halted after Ukrainian attacks on two tankers at Russia's main Black Sea port in Novorossiysk. This came just two days after operations resumed following a week-long suspension caused by drone attacks on several ships. The port is the main outlet for Russian crude exports from the Black Sea and houses CPC's main export terminal, with the latter alone supplying some 1.2 million to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) to the market. A bullish U.S. oil inventory report also lent support Wednesday. The Energy Information Administration said commercial crude oil stocks last week fell by 7.2 million bbl to 404.5 million bbl, the seasonally lowest in more than a decade. Volumes stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve also continued to shrink, down 3.8 million bbl week-on-week to a 43-year low 307.7 million bbl.

Oil Market Eases as Hormuz Talks Offset Middle East Tensions -- The crude oil market ended lower amid talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and a proposed plan for a Saudi-led maritime coalition while the U.S. and Iran continued to trade strikes on each other’s military targets. The oil market remained supported in overnight trading and posted a high of $85.94 amid the reports of the U.S. striking Iranian targets. The U.S. military said it hit dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran in an operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East. However, the market later gave up some of its gains and posted a low of $82.97 by mid-morning on news that Iran and Oman were continuing their talks regarding management of the Strait of Hormuz. The market later settled in a sideways trading range during the remainder of the session on news of Saudi Arabia’s plans for multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at protecting international shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea region. The September WTI contract settled down 87 cents at $83.59 and the September Brent contract settled down $1.71 at $89.03. The product markets ended the session lower, with the heating oil market settling down 16.07 cents at $4.2094 and the RB market settling down 11.31 cents at $3.2847. According to Kpler data, nineteen commodity ships passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Wednesday, down from the transit on Monday and Tuesday. LSEG put the number of transits at 26. Of the 19 ships passing through according to Kpler, eight entered the strait while 11 exited. Among those exiting, four were tankers carrying crude. Some ships could still be sailing with their transponders turned off, which are not considered in the counts. Two tankers carrying Saudi crude for Indian refiners have exited the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by sailing “dark” after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi shipments. The Suezmax tanker Amazon, chartered by Indian Oil Corp, loaded 1 million barrels of oil and Aframax Rodos lifted 700,000 barrels of crude for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port around July 20th and briefly turned north towards the Suez Canal. However, the Amazon and Rodos then switched off their Automatic Identification System transponders around July 22, preventing public tracking of their moves, and headed south to exit the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Rodos is expected to arrive at India’s Mangalore port on August 1st, while the Amazon is scheduled to reach Chennai in early August. London’s marine insurance market has widened the area in the Red Sea it deems as high risk after attacks on ships by Yemen’s Houthi movement but Egyptian waters were excluded. The extended high-risk zone takes in more of the Red Sea coast adjacent to Saudi Arabian ports and reaches close to the Saudi port of Jizan. Goldman Sachs stated that diesel is at the center of a supply squeeze in fuels as global refinery activity fell this month to its lowest seasonal level since the pandemic.

Oil prices fell as higher crude shipments despite Middle East tensions - Oil prices fell on Friday as increased crude shipments through key global shipping routes helped ease supply concerns, even as the conflict involving the United States and Iran continued without a diplomatic breakthrough. Brent crude futures declined by $1.03, or 1.2%, to $88 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $1.50, or 1.8%, to $82.09 per barrel during early trading. Despite the latest decline, both benchmark contracts remain on course to post monthly gains of around 20%, reflecting the significant impact of geopolitical tensions on energy markets. Market analysts said improving oil flows through strategic maritime chokepoints have helped offset fears of severe supply disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has remained at the centre of market attention since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict earlier this year. According to analysts, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea has continued, although shipping companies are facing higher freight costs and insurance premiums because of elevated security risks. Saudi Arabia is also leading efforts to strengthen maritime security by forming a multinational defence coalition to protect shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Saudi officials said 14 countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Sudan, and Djibouti, have expressed support for the initiative.Pakistan Travel Guide Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement has declared a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, raising concerns over the security of Red Sea shipping routes, which serve as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for regional oil exports. Analysts say the continued movement of oil tankers has prevented a sharper price rally despite ongoing regional instability. However, they caution that geopolitical developments remain the biggest driver of oil prices, with any disruption to shipping lanes or escalation in hostilities capable of triggering renewed volatility in global energy markets.

Oil Prices Jump After Iran Claims Attack on Tankers in Strait of Hormuz | Sada Elbalad   Oil prices climbed sharply on Friday after Iranian state media reported that the country had attacked two oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world's most critical energy shipping lanes. According to CNBC, U.S. crude futures rose 2.2% to $85.41 a barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude gained 1.5% to $90.36 a barrel. Iran's state-run Press TV reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had targeted the two tankers as they attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military escort. The broadcaster also said four additional tankers turned back following the reported attacks. However, U.S. and British maritime security organizations responsible for monitoring commercial shipping in the Middle East had not confirmed the reported incidents. Speaking to CNBC, Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth warned that risks to regional oil supplies now extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz. "The situation is tense, and I fear it will remain that way," Wirth said. "Time is running out. Every day that passes, the situation becomes more difficult." Wirth also noted that global oil inventories are declining, while highlighting growing disruptions following attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement after it announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia. ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, stressing that global energy markets depend heavily on Middle Eastern oil exports. "It is the principal artery of global supply that supports economic growth everywhere," Woods told CNBC's Squawk Box. "Those barrels ultimately have to flow. The only question is how long it will take to reach a solution that reopens the strait and restores production in the Middle East." Elsewhere, additional oil tankers came under attack in the Black Sea this week as Ukraine continued targeting Russian energy infrastructure, threatening exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium route, a key outlet for Kazakh crude.Eastern Europeans The Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a research note that increasing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had eased some market concerns after earlier U.S.-Iran strikes briefly pushed Brent crude above $93 per barrel earlier this week. The bank estimated that tanker traffic through the strategic waterway has recovered to roughly 30%–35% of pre-war levels, adding that a recovery to around 50%–60% of normal flows could be sufficient to restore expectations of a global oil supply surplus. Investors were also assessing U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to add tariffs on Iran to bipartisan sanctions legislation targeting both Iran and Russia. Although sanctions on the two countries enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress, Trump's suggestion of using tariffs as an additional tool of economic pressure has sparked debate.

Oil prices settle more than 1% higher, log strongest month since March   (Reuters) - Oil prices closed more than $1 per barrel higher on Friday, ending July with their biggest monthly gains since March, as concerns over global crude flows mounted on Iranian reports that some tankers ‌were forced to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures settled up $1.09, or 1.2%, at $90.12 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures closed up $1.08, or 1.3%, at $84.67 a barrel. For July, Brent gained 24% and WTI rose 21%. The war in Iran, which began on February 28, has sharply curtailed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint that previously carried about a fifth of global crude oil and natural gas supplies, disrupting millions of barrels per day of Middle East output. Iran has largely blocked shipping through the strait since the conflict began, while its Houthi allies in ⁠Yemen this month threatened vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, jeopardizing an alternative export route used by Saudi Arabia and other regional producers. Iran's Revolutionary Guards stopped two tankers from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while four others changed course, Fars News Agency reported. Two very large crude carriers carrying oil loaded from the Gulf exited the strait on Friday, although traffic through the waterway remained sparse, according to Kpler ship-tracking data. Twenty-nine commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Thursday. "The market has stopped trading the war and started trading the shipping data," Talks between Iran and Oman on managing the strait continue, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency, despite Tehran's rejection of Oman's proposal for joint management of the waterway. Research firm Gelber & Associates wrote in a note that the "geopolitical risk premium (remains) firmly in place near chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Domestic supply is reinforcing the move as well, ‌with U.S. ⁠crude stockpiles ... down to multi-year lows." The note was referring to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showing U.S. commercial crude stocks last week fell to their lowest levels since 2018. A drone strike that sparked fires on two gas vessels in Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta also raised threats to shipping through the Suez Canal. Saudi Arabia this week said it is seeking to lead a coalition to boost defense cooperation in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Ukraine's military said it hit Russia's Volgograd oil refinery overnight on Friday, causing a fire at ⁠the facility. In Kazakhstan, Tengizchevroil, the operator of the giant Tengiz field, has resumed oil exports via the Georgian port of Batumi for the first time since March, two sources told Reuters. Crude oil output in the U.S. fell about 2% in May from a record high in April, while exports hit a record high for the second consecutive month, according to EIA data on Friday. Higher oil prices, ⁠however, dented consumption, with demand for crude oil and petroleum products falling more than 3.5% in May to about 20.07 million barrels per day, the lowest level since March 2025, the data showed. A report from Baker Hughes on Friday showed that U.S. energy firms this week added rigs for a sixth time in seven weeks. The number ⁠of active rigs is an early indicator of future output. Separately, a Reuters survey of 31 economists and analysts showed that oil prices are expected to rise further this year. Brent crude is estimated to average $85.22 a barrel in 2026, up from June's forecast of $84.50, the survey showed.

Oil Up 20% in July, Diesel 27% on Fresh Mideast Fighting (DTN) -- Crude futures ended July trading more than 20% higher Friday as renewed escalation in the Iran war increased disruption to oil and gas shipments in key Middle East waters. NYMEX WTI for September delivery settled up $1.08, or 1.3%, at $84.67 bbl. For the month, it rose 22%. ICE Brent for September delivery finished its last trade date up $0.90, or 1.2%, at $90.12 bbl. For all of July, it gained 21%, Refined products bucked Friday's higher trend. In diesel, NYMEX ULSD futures for August delivery settled their last trade day down $0.0879, or 0.5%, at $4.1215 gallon. For the month, it rose 27%. On the gasoline front, RBOB for August and September delivery softened by $0.0631, or 0.4%, at $3.2216 a gallon. For the month, it was up 8%. The U.S. Dollar Index strengthened by 0.84 points to 99.8050 against a basket of currencies. Flows through Bab-el-Mandeb picked up throughout the week after plummeting on Houthi attacks on tankers and an announcement of their blockade of Saudi Arbian maritime traffic. Yet, oil flows through the chokepoint remained below typical levels, and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued at little more than a trickle. On Thursday, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium again halted oil loadings at its Black Sea terminal after two tankers were struck by drones. This came just two days after operations resumed following a week-long suspension caused by drone attacks on several ships. Reports emerging Friday morning suggested that CPC was considering indefinitely pausing operations until receiving safety guarantees from other states, affecting some 1.2 to 1.4 million bpd of global crude oil supply. Amid escalating fighting in the Middle East, war-induced refinery outages in Russia and the Persian Gulf, and growing disruptions of vital oil shipping routes, oil prices found themselves on a steep upward trajectory in July. As of Friday morning, crude benchmarks Brent and WTI were trading more than 20% higher than at the beginning of the month, and ULSD futures were up more than 30%. On Friday morning, reports indicated CPC may halt loadings indefinitely until international security assurances are secured, placing roughly 1.2 million to 1.4 million bpd of global crude supply at risk.

Gulf Oil Exports Struggle to Recover Despite Higher Hormuz Traffic --Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slightly increased as US-Iran negotiations remained ongoing in an effort to restore peace after the memorandum of understanding collapsed amid two weeks of tit-for-tat strikes, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, who provided no further details. Still, the security situation in the Gulf deteriorated overnight after the US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran following attacks on US forces in Jordan. Additionally, reports emerged that a US-owned LNG vessel was struck at an Egyptian port. Bloomberg cited Kpler data showing that fourteen commodity vessels transited the Hormuz chokepoint in both directions on Wednesday, up from single digits the previous week. Kpler wrote on X:  A four-day pause in US strikes on Iran has done little to restore Middle East Gulf crude exports. Confirmed clearance remained close to recent lows, while Gulf loading activity fell by more than half for the first time in six weeks. The crude backlog has shifted between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman rather than disappeared. Persistent maritime security risks, war risk insurance costs and Iranian interdiction now appear to be the main barriers. Offshore ship to ship transfers are helping manage inventories, but not expanding export capacity. For energy markets, physical shipping data remain a clearer measure of supply conditions than geopolitical headlines. Qatar's Al Areesh exited the Persian Gulf carrying the country's first LNG shipment in three weeks, while a supertanker was provisionally booked at nearly $500,000 a day to load Gulf crude for China.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said about 6.5 million barrels of oil a day moved through the strait over the past week with US support. "We are using the United States military to escort out oil and gas out of the Strait of Hormuz,” Wright told Bloomberg Radio, saying about 6.5 million barrels of oil a day exited the Gulf via the strait over the past week. "We are restoring supplies of global oil and refined products to the world out of that region." Maritime Chokepoint Developments:

Strait of Hormuz:

• A Norwegian-flagged products tanker appears to be preparing to exit
• Two Iran-linked Suezmaxes, Chloe and Kariz, sailed into the strait and are now idling off Iran's Bandar Abbas
• Very large crude carrier Jamaica Prosperity was provisionally fixed by the shipping unit of a Chinese charterer to pick up a Persian Gulf cargo on Aug. 3 at 465 Worldscale points, or nearly $500,000 per day

Southern Red Sea:

• Twenty-one commodity vessels crossed the Bab el-Mandeb strait in either direction on Wednesday, compared to 38 a day earlier: Kpler
• Only Russian crude left via the chokepoint, totaling about 3.5 million barrels, although some vessels may have transited with transponders off
• South Korean-controlled VLCC V Glory seen approaching Gulf of Aden recently before going dark; Saudi-flagged Samha seen doing so on Thursday
• On Wednesday, some ships were provisionally booked to load from Yanbu in August, with the option of exiting via Bab el- Mandeb to reach South Korea

Northern Red Sea:

• Two LNG carriers were struck late Wednesday at Egypt's Damietta port near the mouth of the Suez Canal; no one has claimed responsibility yet
• Japanese-flagged VLCC Takamatsu Maru is the latest to divert to Egypt's Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean coast as a destination from US previously; ship is currently southeast of Africa
• Bidbid and VL Prosperity have arrived at and loading from Sidi Kerir, with previously reported destinations in Asia
• Three VLCCs — Olympic Luck, DHT Gazelle and DHT Mustang — that departed Yanbu are currently idling off Sidi Kerir with no clear destination

Oil Tanker Explodes in Strait of Hormuz After Leaving Designated Route - (Tasnim) – An oil tanker violating Iran’s announced navigation route in the Strait of Hormuz exploded after striking a naval mine. The violating oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz exploded hours ago after striking a naval mine, following its departure from the route designated by Iran, Defa Press reported. The Islamic Republic of Iran had repeatedly warned earlier that if ships deviate from the route announced by Iran, they will be responsible for the consequences.

Tankers near Oman come under fire as Iran threatens to choke off shipping routes --A tanker near Oman reported being struck overnight, with another saying it saw an explosion nearby as Iran warned Washington that the U.S. military's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would result in the closure of key shipping routes.Separately, Kuwait said its air defenses confronted hostile drone attacks by Iran.The latest conflict comes amid U.S. media reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing for a fresh round of strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, as hopes of a negotiated end to the war that began on Feb. 28 recede and energy prices climb.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) — an organization backed by the British Navy — said Saturday it received a report of a tanker being hit by an "unknown projectile which has caused damage to the engine room.""The tanker is not under command and the regional Coast Guard have been informed. There are no reported casualties or environmental impact," UKMTO said of the incident 11 nautical miles northeast of Oman.Another tanker in the waters off Oman reported "seeing a large splash and explosion in close proximity to the vessel," UKMTO said. A temporary ceasefire following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran on June 17 has effectively broken down. Neither side has given way on key sticking points, including Iran's nuclear program and control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil supplies moved before the war broke out. Over the last week, the U.S. completed a "heavy wave" of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets. In retaliation, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.Egypt said Thursday that a drone hit two ships at its Mediterranean port of Damietta, triggering a fire. No one claimed responsibility for the strike, which marks the first attack on Egyptian soil since the war began and another sign that the conflict is expanding.  The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed U.S. officials as saying Friday that Trump has ordered the military to launch a fresh attack on Iran that could begin as soon as this weekend. But Trump could call off the planned strikes, officials told the Journal, if there is progress on the diplomatic front.”We will be hitting them very hard," The Associated Press quoted Trump as saying Friday at a televised cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat. "And you know at some point, they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore.'"Axios quoted an unnamed U.S. official as saying that Trump is seriously considering attacking Iranian energy targets in the next few days, but hasn't given final orders to do so.An Iranian official warned that the U.S.'s actions would lead to Iran tightening its control over critical maritime passages."The continuation of the naval blockade and warmongering by the U.S. regime will not only lock the Strait of Hormuz tighter, but will also shut down other straits and chokepoints," Iran's WANA news agency quoted Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as saying."The price for this will be paid by the global economy, the energy market, and American voters," Zolghadr reportedly said.The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ships on July 13, preventing its vessels from entering or leaving its ports.Recent strikes by Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen and Friday's drone strike in Egypt have raised fears that the crucial Bab el-Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea could become a second choke point for Iran to target as the two sides tussle over the Strait of Hormuz.On Friday, West Texas Intermediate futures rose more than 1% to close at $84.67 per barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, also gained more than 1% to settle at $90.12. Prices fell more than 5% for the week after selling off Monday on hopes the conflict in the Middle East would de-escalate.

Two Tankers Spill Oil off the Coast of Iran -- Two tankers off the coast of Larak Island are spilling oil into the waterway, according to maritime data consultancy WindWard. One of the leaks was identified previously, and comes from the Greek-owned tanker Kavomaleas. It was hit in an IRGC attack on the south side of the strait, then captured and towed into Iranian waters. The other leak is linked to an AIS-dark tanker, name unknown, which appears to have been in the same location since May, according to the consultancy. Both of the two oil slicks appear to be drifting towards Larak and Qeshm. The spills are among the first significant oil releases linked to shipboard sources in the Hormuz conflict. Though Iran and the U.S. have both launched multiple attacks since the start of active hostilities, there have been no sinkings of full-size, oceangoing merchant vessels in civilian service. Many of the attacks have struck the superstructure, stack or engine room, limiting the potential for a full-scale spill. Traffic continues to move at a low rate through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the risks. Windward identified 19 vessels moving without AIS in the waterway - a large cluster in the Iranian half of the strait, and a smaller number that SAR satellite imaging spotted in the southern, U.S.-protected lane along the Omani coast. More strikes on shipping appear likely in the days ahead, part of the pattern of retaliatory exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. The large-scale U.S. Air Force transport plane airbridge is back in motion between Europe and U.S.-linked air bases in the Mideast, typically a logistical step taken to prepare for escalating military operations. A larger series of American airstrikes could occur soon, President Donald Trump telegraphed in a conversation with Axios' Barak Ravid, who speaks frequently with the president. "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump told Ravid.

Houthis claim Saudi drone downed over northwestern Yemen - video - Iran-backed Houthi forces claim they shot down a Saudi reconnaissance drone over northwestern Yemen. Footage released by the group appears to show the burning wreckage of the aircraft, a day after the Houthis said they attacked Saudi oil facilities.

Yemen's FM says Houthis using Bab al-Mandab to mirror Iran's pressure in Strait of Hormuz -- Yemen's Houthi Movement aims to replicate Iran's Hormuz Strait strategy in the Red Sea by disrupting shipping in the Bab al-Mandab and has been emboldened by an insufficient international response, Yemen's top diplomat said on Monday."The Houthis want to copy the Iranian model and this will shut down two main straits, the gateways into the Gulf and Red Sea," Yemeni Foreign Minister-designate Afrah Al-Zouba said, speaking to a small group of journalists at the Yemeni embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.The Red Sea has become a new front in the Iran war, with the Houthis taking an escalatory approach against Saudi Arabia by firing missiles and drones at the kingdom and declaring a blockade on Saudi shipping.Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities and said it would protect commercial shipping, accusing the Houthis of serving foreign agendas. The escalation has also threatened to bring back conflict to Yemen, where war killed hundreds of thousands of people after the Houthis stormed the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting Saudi Arabia to intervene at the head of an Arab coalition.A truce was reached in 2022 but it has been pierced by the recent cross-border fire, and Saudi officials, Western diplomats and Yemeni officials see a return to full-scale war as more likely now than at any point since then.Zouba said Yemen's government, which enjoys strong Saudi backing, was prepared for an escalation and that firing was taking place along the frontline, spanning the country's northwest from the Red Sea up to the Saudi border, but neither side had yet mounted an offensive."We think that this conflict now needs to come to an end, either via peaceful means, or the other way," she said.

Iraq Says No Evidence Drone Attack on Saudi Oil Infrastructure Was Launched from Its Territory - A spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told Rudaw on Thursday that there’s no evidence a drone attack against Saudi oil infrastructure was launched from Iraqi territory, a claim that was used to justify major US-Saudi strikes on Iraq.Sabah al-Numan said that despite the lack of evidence, Iraq was still looking into the claims. “Despite the absence of any evidence or proof to substantiate the Saudi claims regarding [drone] attacks against its territories originating from Iraq, technical committees were nonetheless formed by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to verify this matter,” he said. The Iraqi National Security Council said on Wednesday that US-Saudi strikes came as “the Iraqi government was communicating with the concerned parties to verify and address” Saudi Arabia’s claims “regarding the targeting of Saudi territories [from Iraq].” Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who recently visited Trump in Washington, canceled a planned trip to Saudi Arabia over the attacks.The attacks killed at least 20 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of mostly Shia militias formed in 2014 to fight ISIS, and four members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who, according to Iranian media, were working as security guards in Karbala, a holy city for Shia Muslims, as pilgrims traveling there for the upcoming Arbaeen holiday.A report from Reuters on Thursday said that Saudi Arabia assessed that Yemen’s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, attacked Saudi territory from Iraq, but there’s been no verification of the claim. Ansar Allah did take credit for the attacks, but the group gave no indication that the strikes were launched from Iraq, as its missiles and drones fired from Yemen can reach deep inside Saudi Arabia.

Army spokesman: Yemeni forces target oil depots, pipelines deep inside Saudi Arabia –   The Yemeni armed forces have carried out a string of operations against strategic energy facilities deep inside Saudi Arabia, striking oil depots and pipelines in reprisal for the Riyadh regime’s ongoing military aggression and blockade against their homeland. “By the grace of God, a number of sensitive sites and installations related to the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to [the port city of] Yanbu were targeted by several drones in response to the Saudi enemy's drone incursions into Yemeni airspace,” Army spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced in a statement on Monday. He, however, did not provide any information about the extent of damage. Satellite images show thick plumes of black smoke and raging fire at the Abqaiq oil facility in southern Saudi Arabia. The installation had come under attack by kamikaze drones and missiles hours earlier. The Abqaiq oil processing plant, operated by the state-owned petroleum and natural gas company Saudi Aramco, reportedly bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and delivers oil to the Red Sea at the Yanbu terminal. The facility houses the world's largest oil processing and crude stabilization facility, and supplies approximately 5 percent of the world's oil. The development came only a few days after the Yemeni army claimed an attack on two Saudi oil tankers transiting through the Red Sea. “We targeted two Saudi oil tankers, named Encelia and Layla, for their violation of the blockade decision issued by the armed forces,” Saree said on Wednesday. He said the operation was carried out “within the context of breaking the unjust and oppressive siege imposed by the Saudi enemy on our dear people for 12 years.” Saree noted that it was intended to affirm “the equation of ‘siege for a siege’” and Yemen's right to confront “Saudi-American injustice and tyranny” and reclaim its wealth and legitimate rights. Yemen declared on Monday that it would impose “a maritime blockade” on Saudi Arabia, effective immediately. Saree announced in a televised statement that a ban on maritime navigation associated with Saudi Arabia “has taken effect from the time the statement was made.” Saree cautioned that any escalation from Saudi Arabia would provoke a “thorough and harsh response.”

Yemen's Ansar Allah Takes Credit for Attacks on Saudi Oil Infrastructure While Riyadh Blames Iraqi Militants -Yemen’s Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, took credit on Monday for attacks targeting oil infrastructure in eastern Saudi Arabia while Riyadh blamed the incident on Iraq’s Shia militias.Ansar Allah military spokesman Yahya Saree said that “a number of sensitive sites and points related to the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu were targeted by a number of drones in response to the Saudi enemy’s drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.”The statement came a day after Ansar Allah downed a Turkish-made Bayraktar drone that it said was being operated by Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s northern al-Jawf province. For its part, Saudi Arabia said that its forces intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraq and hasn’t commented on the Ansar Allah statement. “These terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and executed by Iranian-affiliated terrorist militias,” the Saudi Defense Ministry said.The Saudi ministry said that there were attacks in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and in Riyadh Province. According to The New York Times, satellite images show smoke rising from an oil facility in Abqaiq, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, which is far from Yemen but not out of range of Ansar Allah’s missiles and drones. Israel and Jordan also reported shooting down drones on Monday, but it’s unclear where they were launched from.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Shia militias, released a statement denying the Saudi allegations. “The Saudi fabrications are an attempt to justify its inability to respond to the painful Yemeni strikes that reached deep into their infrastructure, out of fear of the nature of the impending Yemeni response,” the group said, according to Yemen’s Al Masirah TV. The flare-up between Ansar Allah and Saudi Arabia began on July 13, when the Saudis bombed the Sanaa international airport in Yemen to prevent a plane from landing that took off from Iran and was carrying a Yemeni delegation who attended the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shattering a fragile truce that had held relatively well since April 2022. In response, Ansar Allah fired missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia and announced a maritime blockade on the country, calling it a “blockade for a blockade.”

Yemen’s Houthis say they targeted Saudi tanker in Red Sea | Middle East Eye - Yemen’s Houthis said on Tuesday that they fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi Arabian oil tanker in the Red Sea for violating their maritime blockade and ignoring warning calls. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the ship, which he identified as the NCC Ghazal, was "forced to turn back".

Yemeni Forces Target Another Saudi Tanker in the Red Sea -  Yemen’s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, announced on Tuesday that its forces targeted another Saudi tanker as Yemeni forces continue to enforce a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.According to Yemen’s SABA news agency, Ansar Allah military spokesman Yahya Saree said the NCC Ghazar, a chemical/oil products tanker, was targeted for “violating the maritime ban imposed on Saudi Arabia and ignoring warning calls.”Saree added that the “vessel was struck with several ballistic missiles, forcing it to retreat and turn back.” A similar account was reported by The Maritime Executive, which cited Martin Kelly of EOS Risk Group, a global security company, who said the NCC Ghazar was struck in the Red Sea by a missile fired from Yemen and then returned to port.  Saree said the blockade would continue under what he has described as a “blockade for blockade” and “escalation for escalation” policy. The blockade began after Saudi Arabia bombed the Sanaa International Airport in Yemen to prevent a plane that came from Iran from landing at the airport, the first major Saudi strikes against Ansar Allah since a 2022 ceasefire, which held relatively well.Saudi Arabia and Ansar Allah have traded strikes, and Yemeni missiles and drones have been able to hit Saudi oil infrastructure. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Saudi Aramco halted operations at its Jazan refinery on July 27 after the facility was damaged by a Houthi attack.On Monday, Saudi Arabia accused Iraqi Shia militias of targeting oil facilities in its Eastern Province, but Ansar Allah took credit for the attack, and the Islamic Resistance of Iraq denied it was responsible. After the attack, satellite images showed smoke rising from an oil facility in Abqaiq, in the Eastern Province.

Yemen’s Houthis: 16 Saudi ships returned since the blockade - Shafaq News - Yemen’s Houthis group (Ansarallah) has forced 16 vessels to turn back since announcing the “maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20,” the group’s leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi stated on Thursday, warning of further escalation. In a televised address, Al-Houthi said the group's actions had disrupted shipping linked to Saudi Arabia, adding, "All indications suggest that Saudi Arabia is moving toward broader escalation, and we will respond in kind.” Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the claim that 16 vessels had been turned back. Riyadh has previously rejected the group's accusations that it is imposing a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and has described the declared maritime blockade as a threat to international navigation. The Saudi-led coalition has also vowed measures to protect vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, saying it would respond to Houthi threats "with firmness and strength." Separately, Saudi Arabia announced, together with 13 other countries, the establishment of a multinational maritime defense alliance to protect freedom of navigation, international trade routes, and energy supplies in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.The Houthis were previously alleged to have collected fees from some shipping agencies transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the height of their maritime campaign in 2024 in exchange for safe passage, according ⁠to a 2024 U.N. Panel of Experts report, which said it was unable to independently verify the information. Those fees were estimated to have reached $180 million a month, although those details were not verified. Sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb to Asia takes on average 16 days, versus 50 days if cargoes are rerouted through the northern Red Sea, through the Suez Canal and then via southern Africa.

EXCLUSIVE: Yemen's Houthis considering fees for ships sailing through Red Sea, sources say (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi group is considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, a week after declaring a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, regional sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The Iran-aligned Houthis on July 20 declared a maritime embargo against Saudi ‌Arabia, opening a new front against the U.S. and its allies in the Iran war and expanding attacks on tankers carrying global energy and other supplies to waters beyond the Gulf. The Houthis were looking into imposing fees on most traffic through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb gateway, which links the southern Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, the sources said. No timeframe was given at this stage for implementation, they added. Houthi officials travelled to Iran in July for the funeral ceremony of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where Iranian counterparts discussed with them the issue of ⁠imposing fees on Bab el-Mandeb transits, two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters. The objectives of such a move would be to normalise the practice of imposing fees on international waterways and increase pressure on the United States, the sources said. Chinese ships would be exempted from such fees and the Houthis were supportive of the arrangement, they added. China has held direct talks with the Houthis to enable its tankers to sail through the southern Red Sea without being attacked, sources have told Reuters. China is the world's biggest buyer of Saudi Arabian oil. Houthi officials who returned by plane from Tehran were accompanied by Iranian advisers who were on the ground to guide them on setting up a potential authority that will regulate fees through the Bab el-Mandeb, an Arab official in the region said. "The Houthis will try to gain access over the Red Sea and they will try to charge ships if they do," Afrah al-Zouba, foreign minister-designate with Yemen's internationally recognised government, told Reuters. Such a move ‌would face ⁠strong opposition from Gulf and European countries, although overstretched international naval forces are currently unable to provide sufficient protection for merchant shipping and there is little political appetite to change that, two Western diplomats said. I mean, the first reaction was like, it's too far away from the conflict zone. It's far away from Iran. It's far away from Yemen. Tehran has ruled out Oman's proposal for regional joint management of the Strait of Hormuz that would include voluntary fees from ships, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, scuppering hopes for a resolution to the impasse that has choked off Gulf trade in that chokepoint for months. Closure of the Bab el-Mandeb would deprive Saudi Arabia of ⁠a critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz and heighten fears of oil supply shortages. Red Sea traffic has not fully recovered since Houthi attacks off Yemen's coast began in November 2023 in what the group said was an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. The group's attacks on merchant ships only ended with the Gaza ceasefire last October. At least one Saudi ⁠tanker has been attacked in the past week off the southern Saudi port of Jizan, near Yemen, and the Houthis claimed responsibility.

Report: Saudi Arabia To Announce New Red Sea Coalition To Counter Yemen's Ansar Allah - Saudi Arabia is seeking to form a new multinational coalition to pre-empt any effort by Yemen’s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, to shut down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Al-Monitor reported on Wednesday. Following Saudi airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport earlier this month, Ansar Allah has targeted oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia and has announced a maritime blockade on Saudi ports, attacking at least three tankers, a policy the group calls a “blockade for a blockade.”While the new blockade has disrupted shipping in the region, Ansar Allah hasn’t announced a blanket ban on shipping through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Some Chinese ships loaded with Saudi crude have also been able to pass through the strait, and Reuters reported that Beijing had cleared each passage with Sanaa.But as the US-Iran war and conflict across the region are escalating again, the chances of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait being completely closed are rising. The Al-Monitor report, which cited two diplomatic sources and an unnamed US official, said that Riyadh has invited around 50 nations to join the Red Sea coalition, but that US support was seen as vital for the initiative to take off, and it was unclear at this point if Washington would participate.So far, the Trump administration has strongly backed Saudi Arabia’s escalations in Yemen, with President Trump reportedly giving the green light for the strikes on the Sanaa airport, which were carried out to prevent a plane landing that took off from Iran and was carrying a Yemeni delegation that attended the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US has also recently advanced arms sales to the Kingdom, signed a nuclear deal with Riyadh, and carried out major joint strikes with Saudi Arabia targeting Shia militias in Iraq.Similar efforts to counter Ansar Allah attacks on shipping have failed in the past, including President Biden’s 2024 formation of a multinational coalition, dubbed Operation Prosperity Garden. The idea was to stop attacks targeting Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea, which were being carried out in response to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Biden’s effort involved US and British airstrikes in Yemen, but it only escalated the situation, as Ansar Allah expanded its attacks to target US and British shipping in response.President Trump also tried and failed to get Ansar Allah to end a blockade on Israeli shipping, which began after Israel violated the January 2025 ceasefire deal. The US bombing campaign, which killed over 250 civilians, lasted from March 15, 2025, to May 6 of that year and ended with a ceasefire between the US and Ansar Allah, which technically remains in effectAnsar Allah also sustained a brutal seven-year war from 2015-2022, launched by a US-backed Saudi/UAE-led Gulf coalition. The goal was to oust the Houthis from Sanaa, which the group took control of in 2014, and reinstall the government of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who died in Riyadh earlier this year, but it failed, and the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in 2022, which held relatively well until the Saudi strikes on the Sanaa airport.

Al-Houthi Says There Are Indications Saudi Arabia Is Planning Major Escalation in Yemen -- Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, said on Thursday that there were indications Saudi Arabia was planning a major escalation in Yemen, as the war between the two sides has been reignited following the July 13 Saudi strikes on the Sanaa International Airport.“We will work to establish the equation of siege with siege, especially since indicators reveal that the Saudis are heading toward comprehensive escalation, and we will seek God’s help against him and confront his comprehensive escalation with comprehensive escalation,” al-Houthi said, according to Yemen’s SABA news agency. The Guardian also reported on Thursday, citing Yemeni sources, that Saudi Arabia was preparing for a major escalation against Ansar Allah by sea and possibly by launching a ground offensive in central Yemen.Saudi Arabia is looking to launch a new Red Sea coalition to keep the Bab el-Mandeb Strait open, and the Saudi Defense Ministry announced that 14 countries backed the effort. The full coalition hasn’t been released, but according to Saudi officials, it includes Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan.Ansar Allah imposed a blockade on Saudi ports following the Saudi strikes on the Sanaa airport, which were meant to prevent the landing of a plane that took off from Iran and was carrying members of a Yemeni delegation that attended the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Yemeni forces have also targeted oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi military has launched additional strikes on Yemen.Escalations against Ansar Allah are unlikely to achieve success since the group faced a brutal US-backed Saudi-UAE war from 2015 to 2022 and multiple US and Israeli bombing campaigns since then that failed to achieve their goals. President Trump has suggested that the US could restart bombing Yemen.Al-Houthi said in his comments on Thursday that the Yemeni people “are among the most suffering and targeted peoples by the Saudi regime within the framework of the American scheme, and in service of the Israeli enemy.”

Houthi strike on Jazan refinery signals the next fuel shock --Markets are good at pricing barrels. They are terrible at pricing the machinery that turns barrels into something you can actually burn. That gap is where the next fuel shock gets built. For five months, nearly every headline about Middle East oil has been a headline about crude. The Strait of Hormuz, tanker counts, and Brent ticking up or down on whether the shooting stops. Crude is the number that moves fastest and gets quoted most. It is also, right now, the number telling you the least. Your grocery bill does not run on crude. It runs on diesel. Your flight does not run on crude either. It runs on jet fuel. Both come out of refineries, and a refinery is a physical plant with power systems and storage tanks that a missile can take offline in an afternoon. That distinction stopped being an academic one over the weekend, and it happened on the Red Sea coast. Saudi Aramco (2222.SR) shut its 400,000 barrel per day Jazan refinery on July 27 after an attack by Yemen's Houthi militants on Saturday, a note from consultancy IIR seen by Reuters showed, according to the BOE Report. Crude oil is fungible and storable. A tanker can sit at anchor for months, and a barrel from Texas will substitute for a barrel from the Gulf without anyone at the pump noticing. Refined fuel does not work that way. Diesel has to move from a refinery to a truck stop on a schedule, and the world lost a large chunk of its spare refining capacity years ago. That is why the fuel market and the crude market have spent this month telling opposite stories. Refining margins for gasoline and diesel jumped to record highs in July after the Middle East re-escalation, Russia's ban on diesel exports, and falling global fuel inventories, according to OilPrice.com. European diesel margins topped $60 a barrel, and the prompt NYMEX 3-2-1 crack spread, a standard measure of U.S. refinery profitability, hit a record $64.58 a barrel on July 8, per Reuters data cited by the same outlet. Refiners such as Valero Energy (VLO) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC) have been the quiet winners of that split, while integrated majors including Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) sold off on July 27's peace headlines. The attack damaged the plant's Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle complex, which supplies the power and steam the refinery runs on, along with the tank farm area, according to the BOE Report. Aramco has tentatively targeted Aug. 15 for repairs and a restart. Jazan sits on the Red Sea coast roughly 70 kilometers, or about 43 miles, from the Yemeni border, and its terminal ships refined products to world markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, reported Türkiye Today. That geography made it one of the few Saudi assets still working normally while Hormuz stayed shut. It also made it reachable. What struck me when I looked at the export mix is that this was not a crude story at all. Jazan is a products plant, and the products it was shipping are the exact ones the market cannot spare. Here is what the outage removes, and what it removes it from:

• Jazan can process 400,000 barrels of crude a day and is targeted to restart by August 15, according to a consultancy IIR note reported by BOE Report.
• The refinery exported more than 200,000 barrels a day on average over the past three months, and diesel and gasoil made up more than half of June's exports of roughly 170,000 barrels a day, according to Kpler data cited by Zawya.
• Russia, normally the world's second-largest diesel exporter, shipped just 234,000 barrels a day of diesel and gasoil from July 1 to July 10, according to Kpler data reported by Hydrocarbon Processing.
• U.S. retail diesel averaged $5.313 a gallon in the week ended July 27, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Read those together and the scale becomes uncomfortable. Jazan's lost export volume is roughly the size of everything Russia managed to ship in the first 10 days of this month.

Jordan faces a dilemma in its growing role in the US.-Iran war - When Iranian ballistic missiles repeatedly struck Jordan last week, killing three American service members and wounding dozens of others, it brought the spotlight on a U.S. military presence the government of this desert kingdom has long worked to downplay. Jordan has been a decades-long military and counterterrorism partner with the United States, opening its territory over the years to U.S. and other Western troops in their engagements throughout the region. But faced with a population that is overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian and suspicious of the U.S. for its all-out support of Israel, the government had kept those relationships at a low profile.  But now, Jordan’s growing role in the United States’ war with Iran — and the intensifying Iranian retaliation that role invites — is spurring uncomfortable conversations for the government. “Jordanians are trapped in a dilemma: They’re being dragged into a war they didn’t want, but the cause of that war is ironically the ally they bargained with to protect them in the first place,” said Sean Yom, a professor of political science and Jordan expert at Temple University who wrote the book “Jordan: Politics in an Accidental Crucible.” “So they’re asking what’s the wisdom of having this geopolitical bargain with a patron like the U.S. when one of the sources of our instability is the relationship that’s supposed to guarantee our security.” Since the ceasefire broke down July 8 and the U.S. began launching near-daily waves of strikes on Iran, Jordan has been targeted on nine occasions, with ballistic missiles and drones hitting U.S. assets and facilities and endangering some 4,000 service members at a number of Jordanian military bases across the country. One of those salvos, on July 17, hit a housing unit in Muwaffaq Al-Salti, a Jordanian base in the country’s east, killing three U.S. service members and wounding at least four others. Also attacked were King Faisal Airbase, Prince Hassan Airbase and the airport in Aqaba. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the strikes not only killed and wounded dozens of U.S. military personnel, but also damaged drones, helicopters, F-15 preparation hangars, radar sites, missile defense systems and munitions depots. More worryingly for Jordan, the IRGC issued statements thanking “honorable people” in Jordan for providing “sincere cooperation and precise information,” which it said enabled it to target and kill “dozens of American terrorist forces.” “Seize every opportunity to dismantle American institutions and expel the American occupation army from Jordan,” one of the statements said.

Cheap, accurate and lethal: Iran’s best missile is getting more dangerous -- The Kheibar Shekan missile is the workhorse of Tehran’s arsenal—a cheap, mobile, accurate weapon with a range of at least 900 miles. And recently, Iran has been using it in complex attacks, proving itself to be an adaptable adversary for the U.S. Since the fighting picked back up this month, Iran has been firing the Kheibar Shekan at American bases, U.S. officials said. It is using a combination of different flight paths, maneuvers and speeds to try to confuse U.S. defenses, they say. The U.S. and its partners have shot down most Kheibar Shekans throughout the war, one of the U.S. officials said, but some have gotten through. Unlike Iran’s older missiles that require lengthy prelaunch fueling, military analysts say the Kheibar Shekans can be kept fueled and loaded quickly into trucks or other vehicles for launching in an attempt to evade U.S. and Israeli warplanes seeking to knock out Iranian missile sites. In some variants of the missile, the nose section, which carries the explosive warhead and detaches during the final phase of flight, is equipped with a small engine that makes it capable of adjusting its direction as it nears its target at 6,000 miles an hour, according to analysts and officials. Ballistic missiles travel into the upper atmosphere or space before plunging back down toward a target, but not all are capable of maneuvering. Military analysts who have studied the Kheibar Shekan said it can vary its trajectory more than some other ballistic missiles in an attempt to make it harder to detect and destroy. Iran is also launching high-speed attack drones and less sophisticated missiles at the same locations it is targeting with the satellite-guided Kheibar Shekans, adapting its tactics throughout the war, the U.S. officials said. Since the ceasefire collapsed, Iran has repeatedly targeted housing areas where U.S. troops stay at bases across the Middle East, officials say. Iran has also gone after the radars that underpin air defenses across the region, a strategy that puts American servicemembers at greater risk, they say. “I think what it tells us is Iran is paying attention, and they’re learning and they’re looking at ways that they can get at us,” said retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who has led U.S. Central Command. “This is a military that has a well-developed drone capability, it’s had a missile program, a rocket program for a long period of time. They’ve got a lot of expertise in this area.” Iran was believed to have 2,500 Kheibar Shekans and other medium-range missiles before the war began, according to U.S. and Israeli estimates. It might be assembling more from components stored in underground bases, but the production facilities where engines for the missiles were built have been destroyed, said Fabian Hinz, an independent missile expert. “The Iranians kind of figured out during the war that the Kheibar Shekans are great because it’s pretty cheap to produce, it’s flexible with launch systems, and it’s pretty effective,” said Nicole Grajewski, an expert on Iranian strategy at Sciences Po in Paris. Iran has fired Kheibar Shekans at Israel, which says it shot most of them down. Iran has also claimed that it targeted the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the headquarters of Israel’s air force commander using Kheibar Shekans. Last month, it announced another attack with the missiles, along with jet-powered drones. The results of those attacks couldn’t be determined. The missile is named after the Battle of Khaybar, the 628 campaign in which the Prophet Muhammad’s forces conquered the fortified oasis of Khaybar, then held by Arabian Jews. Iran hasn’t disclosed the cost of a Kheibar Shekan, but analysts said it is far cheaper than the U.S. and Israeli interceptors used to take them down at a cost of between $2 million and $15 million, depending on the system. Iran seems to have improved its missile attacks, likely by studying previous launches and figuring out how to maximize the possibility the weapons will get through, Hinz said. Iran “has seen what types of maneuvers are the most effective ones for overcoming missile defense,” Hinz said. “Every single combat use gives you some sort of data, so that’s very useful for the Iranians.” Iran has long said the Kheibar Shekan can maneuver in the final stage of its flight to evade air defenses, he added.

Iran foreign minister says Ukraine's attack on Iranian vessel 'cannot go unanswered' (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel "cannot go unanswered". Iran said the attack in the Caspian Sea resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another. Araqchi made the comments in calls with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Araqchi posted on X. Lavrov, in a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, offered condolences in connection with the death of a sailor in the attack. Lavrov said Araqchi thanked local authorities in the Russian region of Astrakhan, where the vessel started its journey, for helping the crew "and stressed the need to put an end to such adventures by the Kyiv regime". The statement also said Araqchi informed Lavrov of "continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tension in the Middle East".

Araghchi Says Ukraine's Attack on an Iranian Ship in the Caspian Sea 'Cannot Go Unanswered' - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday said that Ukraine’s attack on an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea “cannot go unanswered,” comments that came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took credit for the strike, which killed an Iranian crew member.Zelensky claimed that the ship that was struck was carrying military cargo. “We also achieved very strong results with long‑range strikes in the Caspian Sea – including vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran, as well as a warship,” he wrote on X on Saturday, the day of the attack.In his statement on Sunday, Araghchi said that Zelensky “has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor. A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war.”The Iranian diplomat added that in calls with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top foreign policy official, he “made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.”The attack on the Iranian ship comes as Ukraine continues escalating its long-range drone attacks against Russia, which are carried out using intelligence provided by the US, and have been targeting Russian oil tankers and refineries, and have also been killing a significant number of civilians.

Ukraine's FM Claims Attack On Iranian Ship In Caspian Sea Was 'Unintentional' - The week started with a bizarre incident in the Caspian Sea involving an Iranian commercial vessel and the Iranian military, an episode which threatened to expand the war by merging two conflict theatres. Iran had accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel by long-range drone in the Caspian Sea on Saturday, which resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another.Soon after, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to severely protest the "hostile and criminal" attack, IRNA reported.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the "blatant UN Charter violation" which was "done at Israel's behest" could serve to "drag Europe into its war." Araghchi also denounced and attacked Zelensky personally, calling him the "freeloader in Kyiv".But on Tuesday, there was a rapid walk-back and climb-down of sorts regarding the whole murky incident.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi newly stated that Ukraine's foreign minister assured him that the Ukrainian drone attack on the Iranian commercial vessel was "unintentional"."Was assured by Ukrainian FM [Andrii Sybiha] that the attack on an Iranian ship was unintentional and Ukraine seeks no escalation," Araghchi wrote on X. "Iran does not seek escalation either, but made clear any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable. There must be restitution for losses."Ukraine's top diplomat Andrii Sybiha‎ in turn didn't exactly deny it was an intentional attack; however, he did acknowledge that a civilian vessel was struck, and not a military one."I reiterated that all of Ukraine’s actions are aimed solely at defending our country from Russian aggression and never intended to target civilian vessels or people," Sybiha said after a call with Araghchi."This is also true with regard to Iran’s statements about their national who died and a civilian vessel that was targeted in a recent incident. Our goal is to counter Russian aggression, which is the root cause of all incidents, and it is Russia who bears full responsibility for all provocations and casualties," he added.So it seems the two sides have agreed to downplay the attack incident and just move on. And yet what makes this bizarre and unexpected is that Ukraine seemed to initially be openly boasting of the escalation.President Zelensky himself announced soon after on X, "We also have very good results from long-range strikes in the waters of the Caspian Sea. In particular, these are vessels that were involved in transporting military cargo from Iran, and a warship."It is also perplexing how a long-range drone attack on a maritime vessel, presumably hundreds of miles away and which would require very precision targeting, could result in a direct hit and yet be 'unintentional'.

Ukrainian Drone Attacks in Russia Target Wildberries, Oil Refineries, and Kill at Least Three People - Ukrainian drone attacks were launched against multiple Russian regions overnight, targeting the Russian online retailer Wildberries, oil refineries, and killing at least three people. The operations, which are supported by US intelligence, came after President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Photos from social media show a fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast following a drone attack, and Russian officials said that the facility was evacuated. At least six people were wounded in the region, though it’s unclear if they were hurt during the attack on the Wildberries facility.Wildberries, which has been compared to the US online retailer Amazon, has become a frequent target of Ukrainian drones in recent weeks. A July 18 attack on a Wildberries warehouse in Russia’s Tambov Oblast killed six people. Ukrainian officials claimed that drone attacks on Wednesday hit an oil refinery in Ryazan and one in Russia’s Perm Oblast, more than 900 miles from Ukraine, but while attacks were reported in both regions, Russian officials haven’t confirmed that oil facilities were hit.Local officials said that a woman was killed in Taganrog, southern Russia, by drone debris and that one man was injured. In Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, officials said that two civilians were killed by Ukrainian drone attacks. As Ukraine has escalated its drone attacks in Russia, Russian forces have escalated missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, leading to a spike in civilian casualties on both sides. According to The Associated Press, Russian glide bombs targeted Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region on Wednesday, wounding at least 11 people.

Ukraine Strikes Lukoil's Volgograd Refinery as Drone Attacks Resume - Ukraine has struck one of Russia’s biggest refineries, Lukoil’s Volgograd processing facility, the Ukrainian forces said on Friday as they resumed attacks on Russian refining capacity. The Volgograd refinery, which has the capacity to process 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, produces gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It was hit by Ukrainian forces, Ukraine’s Security Service said in a Telegram post on Friday.The hit was “successful,” Ukraine said, without offering details as to the extent of damage. Andrei Bocharov, the governor of Russia’s Volgograd region, said on Friday that a fire broke out at an industrial facility in the fuel and energy complex in the region following a mass drone attack. Bocharov did not name the site.This is not the first strike on the Volgograd refinery, which early this year had to suspend crude oil processing after a Ukrainian drone attack triggered a fire at the plant. The renewed drone attacks on refineries from Ukraine come after several weeks of a lull, during which Ukrainian forces focused on hitting tankers in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.The brief respite in the attacks on refineries allowed some units to resume operations after repairs. This past weekend, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that the fuel crisis in Russia had started to ease as some refineries have restarted operations.However, this week Russia extended the ban on gasoline and diesel exports from July 31 to the end of the year in a sign that the situation has not improved too much.Amid peak demand season, Russia has been suffering from gasoline and diesel shortages for nearly three months, as Ukraine’s drone campaign to strike Russian refineries forced many large processing sites offline in the spring and early summer.The overnight attack on the Volgograd refinery could now worsen the crisis.

Romania Starts Shooting Down Stray Drones From Ukraine War That Enter Its Airspace - Romanian officials on Sunday claimed one of their pilots shot down a Russian drone in Romanian airspace on Friday, July 24. They claimed two more Russian drones were shot down over the weekend. In response, Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded a Monday meeting with Russia’s ambassador to Romania, Vladimir Lipayev. They presented him with fragments of a “Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle commonly used by Russian forces.” They informed him that a Russian diplomat had been declared persona non grata and would have five days to leave Romania. Romanian officials claimed Russian drones have entered their airspace consistently since the war with Ukraine began. They said their policy had recently shifted from monitoring the incursions to shooting the drones down if this could be done safely, far enough away from civilians. In May, NATO and Romanian officials claimed a Russian drone hit a residential block in Galați, an eastern Romanian town near the border with Ukraine. Two people were injured; the first time stray Russian drones are claimed to have hurt anyone in the country. Ukrainian officials said the incident proved that Russia was “a real threat” to Europe. At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the wreckage of the drone should be given to Russia so that it could investigate the matter fully. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 24, 2022. During the past four years, each side has innovated and escalated its drone warfare. Each side attempts to hunt down the other’s drone operators and jam the other’s drones.In May, a NATO fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonia. The speculation at the time was that Russian electronic jamming had sent the drone off course. Ukraine apologized, claiming it was an “unintended incident,” but did not specify what happened.The Romanian claims of encountering Russian drones would be consistent with their drones being jammed by Ukraine or otherwise malfunctioning. Russia has been waging drone warfare on Ukrainian shipping in the Black Sea and Ukrainian ports.However, on Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the Romanian accusations “groundless” and vowed to respond to its diplomat’s expulsion. In a statement posted on its website, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said:“We reject these latest unfounded allegations. These orchestrated incidents and the accompanying propaganda campaign are evidence of the Romanian leadership’s attempt to cover up the disastrous consequences of their irresponsible policy of supporting the Kiev regime.”The statement seemed to suggest Russia was claiming Romania had engaged in false flag incidents or simply fabricated the entire narrative.

Gaza: Death Toll in Israeli Attacks Since 'Ceasefire Deal' Has Reached 1,200 - The death toll in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the so-called ceasefire deal was signed in October 2025, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as the IDF continues its constant violations of the agreement.The ministry said in its daily update on Sunday that Israeli attacks over the previous 24-hour period killed at least seven Palestinians, and two more died of wounds sustained by previous attacks, adding nine dead to the death toll to bring it to exactly 1,200. Thirty-six Palestinians were also injured over the past day, bringing the total number of wounded since the ceasefire deal was signed to 3,888. Israeli attacks continued on Sunday, with an Israeli airstrike hitting a vehicle in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, which, according to Al Jazeera, killed two senior Hamas security officials. A day earlier, an Israeli strike killed the head of police in northern Gaza, as the IDF has frequently targeted police and other security officials to disrupt Hamas’s control and further destabilize the small area of Gaza where Palestinian civilians live.Israeli attacks in recent months have also killed a significant number of children, including four who were killed last week with their mother and father when an Israeli missile hit their apartment as they slept. In June, a UN commission released a report that concluded the IDF has deliberately targeted children in Gaza and has continued to do so despite the ceasefire deal. According to the Israeli government’s official numbers, five Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza over the same period of time that the IDF has killed 1,200 Palestinians in the territory. The last Israeli soldier who was killed died after being shot by other Israeli troops in a friendly fire incident in February 2026. The other four died as a result of “combat” in southern Gaza in October 2025, when Hamas militants were trapped on the Israeli-occupied side of the Strip.

Lebanese Army Accuses Israel of Violating Ceasefire, Firing on Their Position - - The Lebanon “pilot zones” project finally got underway last week, following substantial delays and multiple rounds of negotiations. The Lebanese Army now says their deployment into those villages, as required by the deal, is being prevented by Israeli violations of the ceasefire.The pilot zones were meant to be symbolic, token pullouts from Israel after months of expanding their invasion and occupation. Indeed, the “pullout” included a village Israeli forces had attacked and largely destroyed, but weren’t even actively occupying anymore.Israel would only do that on the condition that their occupation would be replaced by a Lebanese military occupation, and while that began last week, the areas quickly came under Israeli attack. The Lebanese military after its own few days of limiting access to those areas, is trying to both deploy into the zones and to bring some of the villagers back to what were once their homes. They report that Israeli forces are continuing attacks around the area, blocking the civilians’ return, and in fact are causing so much danger it’s precluding a lot of the Lebanese military from even getting to the pilot zone they’re meant to occupy.The military also noted the destruction in Markaba, in the Marjayoun District, is continuing to worsen, with Israeli military bulldozers not only continuing to level homes, but confiscating the rubble after the fact. To make matters much worse for the future of the area, Israeli forces have also burned the ancient olive trees and other agricultural land that was the basis for the Markaba people’s living. Like most of southern Lebanon, this area was substantially reliant on agriculture before the invasion. What will be left by the time the Markabans are allowed back, assuming they ever are, is an open question.

Israel uses 700 tons of explosives in new attacks on Lebanon - The Israeli military has conducted new attacks near Shaqif Fortress (Beaufort Castle) in southern Lebanon, causing huge explosions in adjacent areas. Lebanese media reported Israeli bombings on the villages of Yohmor al-Shaqif, Haddatha, and Kfar Tebni. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and minister of military affairs Israel Katz announced late Thursday in a joint statement that the regime’s army had used 700 tons of explosives to target alleged tunnels of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement in the area. They said the assault was planned for an earlier date but had been postponed due to last month’s US-mediated framework deal between Israel and Lebanon. They also noted that the occupation’s military “will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and will continue to destroy all … infrastructure to prevent any attempt by Hezbollah to restore its capabilities.” The framework agreement, signed on June 26, calls for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from southern Lebanon alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army. Since its signing, however, Israel has continued its military aggression across southern Lebanon, carrying out airstrikes, demolitions and the burning of homes in border towns. According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,333 people, injured more than 12,236 others and displaced over one million since March 2. Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, including territories it has held for years as well as others it seized during the 2023-24 onslaught. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday that Israel has no intention of conducting a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory. In comments to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Berri said his Wednesday meeting with President Joseph Aoun was intended to convey that "all evidence indicates that Israel has no decision to withdraw from Lebanese territory before the elections". "The agreement was stillborn, and no one speaks of it anymore," Berri was quoted as saying. "Israel buried it through its non-compliance." The speaker, a senior figure who heads the Amal Movement, also said Netanyahu faces a "serious risk of collapse" . The June 26 framework agreement, signed by Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington, provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army and the dismantling of Hezbollah's military infrastructure. But Israel would be permitted to remain in an expanded security zone for the time being, according to reporting on the deal . Berri has consistently rejected the agreement, describing it in late June as "diktats" that "won't be implemented". He has also warned that the deal could incite internal divisions and draw Lebanese into confrontation among themselves.