PJM, ERCOT, and SPP All Set New Summer Peak Electricity Demand Records This Summer

The summer of 2026 tested the U.S. electric grid with record heat and rising demand. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Hourly Electric Grid Monitor (based on Form EIA-930 data), three major regional transmission organizations (RTOs) set new peak hourly load records.⁠Eia PJM (serving roughly 65–67 million people across all or parts of 13 […]

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hurricane season

Morgan Stanley Leads Fundraise for $4 Billion Texas Refinery Project as America First Refining Advances Brownsville Plans

Morgan Stanley is leading an equity and debt fundraising for America First Refining’s planned $4 billion oil refinery at the Port of Brownsville, Texas—the first major new U.S. oil refinery in roughly half a century—according to the company. Chief Commercial Officer Tom Ramsey said at a Crude Oil Quality Association conference in Galveston on October […]

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ENB Weekly Rig Count Comparison of Baker Hughes, Enverus and WellDatabase — Rigs Are Up

As of mid-October 2026, U.S. drilling activity continues to firm. Baker Hughes reported its closely watched weekly rotary rig count at 603 for the week ending October 9 (up 5 week-over-week and up 56 year-over-year from 547). WellDatabase’s U.S. Rig Report dated 10.14.2026 showed 608 total rigs (up 6 week-over-week and up 52 year-over-year). Enverus’ […]

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Pump Prices, The Iran War and the 2026 Midterms

Larry Schweikart stops by the Energy News Beat Podcast and the Energy Impacts Podcast. In this wide-ranging political and energy analysis podcast, hosts David Blackmon and Stu Turley sit down with renowned political analyst and historian Larry Schweikart to discuss the critical issues shaping the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. With just 27 days until […]

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Permian Gas Takeaway Is Critical, and New Pipelines Are Key to Stabilize Gas Long Term

The Permian Basin remains the engine of U.S. oil growth, but it is steadily becoming gassier. Rising gas-to-oil ratios (GORs) mean every incremental barrel of crude now brings more associated natural gas. Without matching takeaway capacity, that gas depresses local prices, forces curtailments or flaring, and erodes the economics that keep oil drilling active. New […]

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China now adding stress to diesel markets – Where do we go from here?

China is once again withholding refined products from the global market, layering fresh stress onto an already strained diesel complex. On October 1, 2026, trade sources reported that Chinese refiners have suspended oil-product exports for October to destinations other than Hong Kong and Macau, pending new guidance from Beijing. State-owned major PetroChina has canceled planned […]

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