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, June 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
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June 28, 2022
When All Else Fails, Return To Proven Technology
The energy crisis has European countries scrambling to find replacement gas supplies for the Russian gas it previously used. To prevent power shortages, coal use is experiencing a rebirth. READ MORE
Will Offshore Wind Deliver The Power Economically?
The government’s push for offshore wind is roaring ahead driven by environmentalists. Reviews for approval of the projects suggest there may be downsides not being properly considered. READ MORE
Who Cares If Miami Is Six Meters Underwater In 100 Years?
Miami faces two issues – rising sea levels and higher water tables. Miami Beach has been working on an adoption plans despite some homeowners objecting. We can save the city. READ MORE
Random Energy Topic Thoughts
Updating The Block Island Wind Farm Performance
Gasoline Tax Suspension Gimmick Game
Energy Musings, June 14, 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
June 14, 2022
Energy Stocks: Confounding Yet Still Rewarding
May continued Energy’s run as the sector with the top returns in the overall market. June seems to be continuing the trend, as Energy remains cheap on many investment metrics. READ MORE
Is ESG A Religion, A Helpful Guide, Or Just A Scam?
The ESG movement ran into a wall at a recent FT conference. A questioning presentation cost the presenter his job. Without clear standards and metrics, ESG investing has underwhelmed. READ MORE
Changing The Climate Debate – Epstein’s Fossil Future
After his Moral Case bestseller, Epstein’s new volume challenges in depth the anti-impact experts’ narrative that CO2 only creates bad outcomes. He reorients the framework discussion. READ MORE
Thoughts On Random Energy Topics
Rhode Island’s Electricity Fuel Sources
Energy And Food Markets Need To Worry About Hurricane Season
Energy Musings, May 31, 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
May 31, 2022
Energy Mess Of 2022 Demands A Revised EU Plan
The 2021 Energy Crisis has morphed into the 2022 Energy Mess, the result of past investment and policy mistakes. The EU’s new plan will double down on misguided energy policy mistakes. READ MORE
The Changing Face Of The Automobile Industry
EVs experienced a growth spurt last year with the help of spiking fuel prices, more government support, and more model choices. Higher battery raw material costs are a problem for the future. READ MORE
Politicians: Read Smil’s New Book About Energy Transition
Vaclav Smil’s new book is a CliffsNotes guide to everything one needs to know about how energy, food, and materials work in our economy and why the transition will require decades to occur. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Our Laughs About The Electricity Industry
Two cartoons on current energy topics we found both amusing and telling.
Energy Musings, May 17, 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
May 17, 2022
“The Drive” Confirms Much About Energy And Inflation
America is back! Read about our observations from “The Drive” and energy’s role. READ MORE
Energy Continues To Confound Investor Expectations
Energy is the only sector to increase its capitalization from January 1st Through May 10th. READ MORE
Manhattan Contrarian’s View Of New York’s Net Zero Plan
New York State’s net zero emissions plan is woefully lacking in details and cost estimates. READ MORE
Wood Returns: Not Your Distant-Grandfather’s Log Cabin
Wood has become the new clean building material and we will be seeing more log towers. READ MORE
Decarbonizing Air Transportation Is Underway
Energy Musings, May 3, 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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May 3, 2022
Dominion’s Huge Offshore Wind Farm Gets Pushback
The largest U.S. offshore wind farm by a utility is planned off Virginia. Its cost rose $2 billion to $9.8 billion. With rampant inflation, many customers are concerned about future cost increases. READ MORE
Battle Over EVs, Emissions, And Mining
Elon Musk has dominated the news with his Twitter takeover. His concern over lithium for Tesla’s batteries reflects a key challenge for the EV industry. Volvo’s EV emissions study is alarming. READ MORE
Coal Makes Comeback Upsetting Green Agenda
Almost daily there are announcements of new or reactivated coal-fired power plants and new coal mines, as utilities around the world are resorting to the dirty fuel because of the high price of gas. READ MORE
Thoughts On Various Energy Topics
An Alternative Supply Option For Europe’s Natural Gas Problem
Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry And Natural Gas
Energy Musings, April 19, 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
April 19, 2022
Is Wind Energy About To Follow The Route Of Solar?
It seems every country’s emissions reduction plan depends on more wind power. Everybody wants their own supply chain. China is positioned to change that plan like they did with solar. READ MORE
Germany Reconsiders Its Energy And Foreign Policies
After announcing a 180-degree turn in foreign and energy policies after Russia invaded Ukraine, Germany is having second thoughts because it is finding out the cost of these moves. READ MORE
Con Ed’s Rate Hike: The Point Of The Inflation Spear?
After shutting the Indian Point nuclear plant and pushing offshore wind, the inflationary impact of these moves is becoming evident. Con Edison is asking for an 11% electricity rate hike for 2023. READ MORE
The Reality Of The Global Energy Market Of The Future
RFF issued a report that enables comparing 19 scenarios from seven energy outlooks to 2050. READ MORE
Random Thoughts On Energy Topics Of Interest
Energy Musings, April 5, 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
April 5, 2022
The Challenge EVs Face With Raw Material Inflation
The EV revolution is underway and promoted by the Biden administration. Inflation in the raw materials used in EVs has caused Tesla to raise prices and others to warn about higher costs. READ MORE
Joe Biden Promises U.S. LNG To Help Europe – Realistic?
The U.S. and E.U. have agreed to work together to boost U.S. LNG shipments to Europe to help get them off Russian natural gas. Plans sound good, but what is the reality of them happening? READ MORE
Offshore Wind Performance Raises Questions About Output
A review of the U.K.’s January’s daily offshore wind output shows significant variability. We examined monthly offshore wind’s performance against capacity that showed utilization issues. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics Of Note
Are We Moving More Or Less, And What Does It Mean?
High oil prices have analysts concerned about demand destruction. We look at data.
Energy Musings, March 22, 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
March 22, 2022
The Worry Beads And Changing Times In The Energy Patch
Current focus is on the Russia/Ukraine war and its impact on energy markets. People should focus on more structural changes underway in the world due to higher inflation and interest rates. READ MORE
Europe Struggles To Determine Its Future Energy Mix
Europe is over a barrel because of its high dependence on Russian gas and coal imports. The EC unveiled a plan to cut dependence but lacking a cost estimate or a realistic timetable. READ MORE
A 1970s Oil Playbook – Deja vu All Over Again!
The idea of a windfall profits tax on oil companies has emerged to help price-shocked Americans. We revisit what happened the last time such a tax was in place. It hurt people and the industry. READ MORE
Controversial Daylight Savings Time And Saving Energy
Everyone is cheering the possible end to clock switching. The introduction and ending of DST have occurred several times in our history – each time beginning with overwhelming support. READ MORE
The Worry Beads And Changing Times In The Energy Patch
Energy Musings, March 8, 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
March 8, 2022
Offshore Wind And Its Version Of The Shale Land-Grab
BOEM held a sale for offshore wind leases off New York and New Jersey that set a record in high bids. The cost per acre and per MW reminded us of the land-grab frenzy of the shale boom. READ MORE
We Need A Neck Brace After Germany’s Energy Whiplash
Germany’s three-decade philosophy about how to deal with Russia led to tolerance and economic dependence. That philosophy was reversed in one speech, but what does it mean? READ MORE
Petroleum Is More Important In Our Lives Than Many Think
We show you two lists of critical items and everyday products we depend on that are made from petroleum. Many of them have no alternatives, showing our dependence on oil and gas. READ MORE
Thoughts On Random Energy Topics
Europe’s Infatuation With Heat Pumps Has A Long Way To Go
At 1% penetration rates, it will take years to make a dent in fossil fuel demand.
Energy Musings, February 22, 2022
Allen Brooks, Managing Director
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
February 22, 2022
Get Your Worry Beads – Times Are Changing; Few Realize It
There is so much geopolitical and economic turmoil in the world, many people are failing to grasp the changes underway that are going to challenge the new generation of energy executives. READ MORE
Solar Power Growth Running Into Economic Challenges
A war has begun in California over the impact of net metering arrangements on the economics of electricity. That is one fundamental issue utility executives must deal with, but there are others. READ MORE
Random Thoughts On Energy Topics
Updating The Block Island Wind Farm Data Leaves Questions
November output was up but still trails all previous Novembers by 36%.
The Battle Over Stoves Continues