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A decade ago, China was widely expected to become a shale powerhouse. By some estimates, it holds more technically recoverable shale gas than the United States, and there was real optimism that it could replicate the U.S. shale revolution. So far, that surge hasn’t materialized. China’s gas production is rising, but in 2025 accounted for only 6% of the world’s production, a far cry from the U.S. share of 25%. There are several reasons for this, including more complex geology and deeper formations, but one factor receives far less…
The world's biggest nuclear fusion experiment just got one huge step closer to completion. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache, France just received the final shipment of necessary components to assemble the giant magnet at the heart of the reactor. The central solenoid magnet, developed in the United States at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a critical component of the massive experimental site, which is cooperatively funded and operated by a coalition of seven major world economies: China, the European…
Before 1 May, the once-mighty Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had 12 members, but with the departure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the start of the month, it has 11. These comprise Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, together accounting for around 33% of the world’s crude oil output, about 46% of its total petroleum traded internationally, and roughly 73% of its proven oil reserves. Back when it was founded in 1960, these…
The 2026 US-Israeli war against Iran delivered one of the sharpest ironies in modern energy geopolitics: while Iranian infrastructure was taking a pounding, it managed to somewhat absorb the relentless airstrikes to its culture, its way of life, and its main target—the economy. However, the already heavily punished Iranian economy took on fresh sanctions and the might of a US naval blockade. During these sanctions and the blockade, Tehran’s oil revenues rose sharply in the critical early months. The regime that Washington sought to…
Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trading on Monday after President Trump announced the U.S. would guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz and OPEC+ confirmed a modest output increase. At the time of writing, WTI crude was down 0.65% at $101.30, while Brent crude had dropped 0.39% to $107.80. The President took to social media on Sunday to announce that "Project Freedom" would begin on Monday morning, Middle Eastern time. The project will involve the U.S. guiding stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the stranded…
