Energy Musings
An eclectic collection of stories and analyses by Allen Brooks, dealing with issues and developments within the energy industry that have potentially significant implications for executives operating oilfield service companies.
Energy Musings, March 21, 2023
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future.
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March 21, 2023
Silicon Valley Bank Bankruptcy And Its Impact On Energy
SVB was a major lender and deposit holder for tech and cleantech startup companies. Its bankruptcy removes a key financier in this space that will disrupt the energy transition. READ MORE
Offshore Wind’s Economics Questioned By A Big Player
New offshore projects continue to be proposed while the head of the U.S.’s leading renewable energy utility company warns his CERAWeek audience that “offshore wind is a bad bet.” READ MORE
The Cost Of Getting To Net Zero By 2050
States are mandating utilities reduce their carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2050. An analysis of Wisconsin’s plan shows its consumers will paying $248 billion (2022$) more. READ MORE
SVB And The ESG And Woke Attacks
Critics blame SVB’s ESG and DEI focus for its failure. They point to the directors’ backgrounds and associations. Their skills instead raise questions about the lack of management oversight. READ MORE
Silicon Valley Bank Bankruptcy And Its Impact On Energy
Energy Musings, February 21, 2023
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future.
Download the PDF
February 21, 2023
The Energy ‘Transition’: Learning and Retreat
BP’s CEO announced revised targets for oil production and emissions reductions below targets. READ MORE
Why Did Dominion Fight Offshore Wind Performance?
CVOW’s Pilot turbines have outperformed the performance standard Dominion Energy fought. READ MORE
Biden’s Climate Agenda Ignores New Emissions Reality
The EPA is adopting realistic climate scenarios, but they undercut Biden’s net zero goals. READ MORE
Warren Buffett Et Al Likes Renewable Tax Subsidies
Duke And Dominion are exiting renewable energy projects for greater regulated returns. READ MORE
The Energy ‘Transition’: Learning and Retreat
Energy Musings, February 7, 2023
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future.
February 7, 2023
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What Is Going On With European Oil Companies?
BP and Shell are slowing their renewable energy push on economic concerns. READ MORE
EVs Are In The News With A Confusing Outlook
A price war has broken out and we review calculations of how much additional power is needed. READ MORE
A Day In The Life Of A Plastics Avoider
A costly experiment showing how important plastics are for today’s lifestyle. 164 violations! READ MORE
Troubled Massachusetts Offshore Wind Landscape
Commonwealth Wind asks state supreme court to bail it out of unprofitable power agreements. READ MORE
Energy Starts 2023 With Another Positive Month
Energy Musings, January 10, 2023
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
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January 10, 2023
Demographics Will Create An Unforeseen New World Order
We have been warned for years about the impending retirement of the Boomer generation, but seldom has anyone focused on how significant this event will be for our economy and society. A higher cost of capital due to fewer workers will drive interest rates up for years with impacts READ MORE
Energy Stocks Had A Terrific 2022, But What About 2023?
What have you done for us lately will be the initial 2023 view of investors more interested in flashy gadgets and social software? Few investors expect a third consecutive year as the top-performing S&P 500 sector, but if oil prices mirror the early 2000s trend, we may be surprised. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Financial Times 2022 Word Selection Highlights Changing World
Massachusetts Offshore Wind Battle’s Devastating Outcome
Climate Risk Management In The Reinsurance Industry
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Energy Musings, December 28, 2022
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
Download the PDF
December 28, 2022
Searching For The Clean Energy Holy Grail
A nuclear fusion ignition experiment was completed in early December in which more energy was emitted than injected that led to visions of unlimited clean energy. We examine why we are decades away from that potential and maybe even never due to problems with sufficient fuel. READ MORE
Could Greenland’s DNA Find Alter Climate Change?
A new discovery of environmental DNA of animals and marine life from the northern region of Greenland shows that 1-2 million years ago the region was substantially warmer than thought. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
EV Journeys During Winter Are More Challenging
Offshore Wind: Virginia Go Ahead; Massachusetts Basket Case
Fossil Fuel Data Points And Comments
IEA Coal Report Continues Demand View For Plateau
Energy Musings, December 13, 2022
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
Download the PDF
December 13, 2022
How Do We Know What Is Normal?
Falling oil prices are upsetting the conventional energy sector narrative as commodity and equity traders wrestle with what is normal, especially as they move to protect their gains of this year. READ MORE
Enough Fingers For Power Market Finger-Pointing Exercise?
Inflation has become an issue for renewable providers, but so too has wind stillness, NOAA wind support vessel speed restrictions, ocean turbulence from wind farms, and mineral availability. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Despite Fear Mongering There Is Good News On Climate Change
A Tough November For Energy Stocks But Good YTD Gains
Another Step In The EV Revolution
2022 Hurricane Season Was Not What Was Expected
Energy Musings, November 29, 2022
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
Download the PDF
November 29, 2022
Energy Market Outlook Seen By Investors And Analysts
Observations from RBC energy investor survey and Fed Bank energy conference provide a set of unconventional views of energy markets and their future along with how energy stocks may trade. READ MORE
Inflation And Interest Rates Continue To Roil Energy Markets
Investors think inflation has peaked but the real world seems to just begin seeing its impact and higher interest rates are proving a problem. Gavekal Research shows a different perspective. READ MORE
New England’s Winter May Not Be Fun As It Will Be Costly
Heating oil and electricity prices have soared with supply shortage fears, so weather will determine how costly winter is. Forecasts suggest a normal winter with periods of severe cold. READ MORE
Europe’s Energy Wildcards Less Effective Than Anticipated
Russia oil ban and Europe oil and gas price caps may be less effective than originally thought. Politics have created regulations that hold potential for market chaos and underground options. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Energy Musings, November 15, 2022
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
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November 15, 2022
Age Of Inflation: More Unseen Challenges For The New Normal
Despite the CPI easing, we still see more inflation and interest rate problems ahead. READ MORE
New York Times Climate Skeptic Has Change Of Heart
He wonders if the pandemic’s arrival is more reflective of possible climate problems. READ MORE
COP27 Struggles For Relevance In Energy-Challenged World
In an energy crisis, security of supply is trumping political concern over climate change. READ MORE
October’s Stock Market Harvest Was Very Good For Energy
Energy has had an outstanding 2022 and October’s performance was a record. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Energy Musings, November 1, 2022
Energy Musings contains articles and analyses dealing with important issues and developments within the energy industry, including historical perspective, with potentially significant implications for executives planning their companies’ future. While published every two weeks, events and travel may alter that schedule. I welcome your comments and observations. Allen Brooks
Download the PDF
November 1, 2022
Unseen Challenges Of The New Normal We Are Entering
This article is an extended discussion of the factors driving our economy and financial and energy markets today. People are fearful of the fallout from raging inflation and the rapidly rising interest rates being employed to attempt to control price increases. Returning to the low-inflation and low-interest rate environment that dominated the past two decades may be impossible. We examine unseen challenges that will characterize the New Normal we believe is unfolding. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Costs Continue To Bedevil The Economics Of Offshore Wind
The Upcoming Winter Weather In The Northern Hemisphere
Tesla Cuts China Prices; First Signs Of A Changing EV Market?
Schlumberger Rebranding: End Of Oilfield Service Industry?
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Unseen Challenges Of The New Normal We Are Entering