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, 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
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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
Energy Musings, October 18, 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
October 18, 2022
On The Road Again
Summer is over and we just made our return drive from Rhode Island. Highlights: Lighter than normal traffic; fewer trucks; no lines at restaurants or gasoline stations. An uneven economy! READ MORE
Gas Versus Electric: Vehicle Use Determines Choice
Electric vehicles drive farther every year, and well exceed average American’s daily distance. We compare the statistics and economics of different types of cars. Range anxiety still governs. READ MORE
Biden’s Energy Policy Clashes With Geopolitics
From fist bumps to punches in the nose is our energy policy. Biden’s naked political push to stop OPEC+ from cutting production and hiking pump prices ahead of the election was fully exposed. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
China Mounts Challenges To Global Clean Energy Industries
New Offshore Wind Technology Key To Better Economics?
Energy Musings, October 4, 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
October 4, 2022
New Tool To Judge Renewable Energy Costs And Returns
A new paper examines Levelized Cost Of Energy’s flaws and why wind and solar are not capable of powering the economy. It develops a Full Cost of Electricity model. We need more fossil fuels. READ MORE
Fundamental Tenet Of Renewable Energy Is Crumbling
The religion that renewable energy costs will always decline is meeting reality. Costs are going up and renewable developers are looking for relief by asking their power buyers to pay more. READ MORE
Block Island Wind Celebrates Fifth Year Anniversary
Happy times reigned in Providence as politicians, labor leaders, wind developers, and environmentalists celebrated Block Island Wind’s 5th anniversary. They ignored it failing on power output. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
The Cost Of Electricity Is Rising Everywhere
How Far Can You Go In An EV In Winter?
Energy Musings, September 20, 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
September 20, 2022
Doubling Down On Renewables In An Energy Crisis – Dumb?
Policymakers in Europe believe the solution to their growing energy crisis is that they should build more renewable generating capacity. They do not deliver power on windless and cloudy days. READ MORE
Understanding Oil Price Volatility And Why It Will Stay High
Crude oil prices have been in a decline since peaking in June – down 30%. Economic recession fears have been the prime driver, but a lack of liquidity – less futures trading – is another issue. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
IMF Breaks Down Drivers Of Global Inflation
Increased Oil Efficiency In Today’s Economy
Worrisome Outlook For The Upcoming Winter In U.S. Northeast
Green Energy Impact On Families And Homes
Energy Musings, September 6, 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
September 6, 2022
New England Power Market Is Heading Toward Blackouts
Heat waves sweeping across America are stressing grids. Electrification of our economy will add substantial power demand as we shift to renewables and intermittent electricity risking blackouts. READ MORE
Britain Scrambles To Reverse Gas Storage Crisis
U.K.’s power regulator warned Britons their annual energy costs were jumping by 80% in October. Energy poverty is ahead and the government must find solutions to this energy crisis. READ MORE
Global Energy Markets At Risk Of Hurricane Disruptions?
The 2022 hurricane season is the slowest in 30 years. Tropical disturbances are emerging suggesting we may still see energy and economic disruptions with a human tragedy potential. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Dominion Challenges Virginia Wind Performance Standard
Are Women Really Better Drivers?
Energy Musings, August 23, 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
August 23, 2022
Virginia Offshore Wind Project Approved But With A Twist
Dominion’s offshore wind project was approved by Virginia regulators. To protect customers from excessive costs from power shortfalls, regulators want a “performance standard” for the project. READ MORE
Current Economic Questions Force Look At Demographics
U.S. labor force participation and falling productivity worry economists. They should be considering recent projections showing a “smaller, older, and more urbanized” population in 2100. READ MORE
Interesting Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Interesting Data On Vehicle Quality
Inflation Reduction Act Suddenly Renamed A Climate Bill
Interesting Long-Term Energy Outlook From IEA
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Energy Musings, August 9, 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
August 9, 2022
Connecticut Clean Energy Push Hits Oops Moment
Within hours of CT officials hyping a ban on buying diesel buses, an electric one burst into flames. All 12 BEBs in Connecticut were shut down. We look at the economics of BEBs. READ MORE
Germany’s Energy Clock Ticks Toward Zero Hour
Germans, and fellow Europeans, are heading into energy rationing. At the same time, Germany is debating keeping its three nuclear plants running, while renewables fail in delivering power. READ MORE
Random Energy Topics And Our Thoughts
Energy Performs Better In July On Oil Prices And Earnings
Is The Chinese EV Industry’s Nose Under The West’s Tent?
Bad News From Gallup About Climate Change
Electric Vehicles Continue To Be In The News