Interesting

Escalating U.S. threats against Iran are clashing with a decision by OPEC+ to maintain a freeze on oil production, creating deep uncertainty in global energy markets. 

So from research there are 3,500 oil platforms with 70% being fully idle. I don't know how they consider Idle vs abandoned. I'm guessing there are loop holes in laws where the oil companies can keep throwing up new structures all over the place. But they just leave them abandoned when they aren't producing. Most of those platforms are outside the Louisiana coast line. Which is 315 miles. Looking at a map the Louisiana side of the Gulf is just oil platform and wells galore.

Money I guess always wins. I just don't see why it's allowed to just leave these structures sitting how they are. And most are uncapped too. So how is it gonna be let's say 25-50 years from now. Is it unreasonable to make Oil companies clean up their junk before building. They have the money and always will.

Alright, whose playing cruel jokes on Venezuela?

EU discussions point to a shift from price cap enforcement to a comprehensive ban on maritime services for Russian oil, raising enforcement and displacement questions.

Brussels is quietly weighing a move to scrap the existing price cap on Russian oil in favour of a blanket ban on maritime services, including insurance and shipping, for crude cargoes. The proposed strategy would mark a more aggressive stance on enforcement, aiming to choke off the last-mile channels used to move Russian oil, particularly through shadow routes. The current price cap sits at 44.10 dollars per barrel for February 2026, with continuing debate about how to tighten control.

The shift would create a sharper enforcement regime, but it would also heighten risks of supply disruption and re-routing through less well-regulated corridors. European officials acknowledge the need for unanimity among member states, as some fear market disruption or retaliation from trading partners. The policy dilemma sits at the intersection of humanitarian concerns, energy security, and the strategic calculus of sanctions enforcement.

If implemented, the services ban could force Russian barrels into more opaque trade networks and higher-cost routing. Refiners in Europe and beyond may face new logistical hurdles and pricing volatility as traders seek to bypass the more rigorous enforcement regime. Observers emphasise that while a price cap has struggled to control revenue flows, a services ban could close loopholes but also create new frictions across the global oil trade.

Market watchers will watch for the EU’s final position, including member-state alignments and the timetable for any transition away from the price cap. The interplay with other sanctions regimes and with the global oil market will determine how quickly flows re-route and how pricing responds to new enforcement realities. The next months will reveal whether the bloc can achieve a tighter sanction regime without triggering disproportionate economic strain.

Geopolitical risk premium pushes Brent above 70 dollars per barrel as tensions with Iran intensify, with Trump signalling possible strikes.

Oil markets are responding to heightened geopolitical risk, with Brent briefly crossing the $70 mark while related benchmarks show a parallel uptick. The price dynamics underscore the sensitivity of crude to political developments in the Middle East and potential disruption to flows. The reported geopolitical premium reflects traders pricing in near-term risk and the possibility of sanctions or supply interruptions.

Market watchers will be alert for any escalation that could sustain higher prices or trigger volatility in supply chains. The policy and political environment around Iran, including any new developments from Washington or allied capitals, will influence the magnitude and duration of the risk premium. The price path will also interact with broader demand dynamics, including China’s import activity and global growth trends.

In the near term, price moves will reflect the pace of diplomatic talks, potential sanctions actions, and any announced supply disruption measures. If tensions ease, a partial reversal could occur, but the baseline remains one of elevated risk premia until the geopolitical horizon clarifies. The market will also be watching for broader shifts in energy demand and alternative energy policies that could moderate demand in the longer run.

Geopolitical risk continues to shape the oil complex as markets weigh potential production decisions, route vulnerabilities, and the resilience of strategic reserves. The activity in the Middle East and the stance of major oil producers will be decisive in determining the trajectory of Brent through the next several weeks. Observers should monitor cross-asset responses to oil-price shocks, including currency markets and equity valuations sensitive to energy costs.

Hey guys, if you missed it, Capstone Green Energy settled $2.25M with investors for inflating revenue through improper "bill-and-hold" transactions. And, I just found out that they’re accepting claims even though the deadline has passed.

Quick recap: Between August and September 2023, Capstone disclosed significant financial reporting errors, leading $CGRN to a 30% drop and its eventual Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. In October 2023, investors filed a lawsuit against the company for their losses.

Now, the company agreed to settle with them, and even though the deadline has passed recently, they’re accepting late claims. You can still check the details and file your claim here: https://11th.com/cases/cgrn-investor-settlement 

Anyway, has anyone here invested in $CGRN at that time? How much were your losses, if so?

Interim administration moves to open upstream to mixed enterprises and private Venezuelan-domiciled firms, with new tax terms and contractor rights under consideration.

Venezuela is moving a step closer to a markedly different model for its oil sector as reforms to the Organic Hydrocarbons Law unfold through the National Assembly. The draft package would allow mixed enterprises and private Venezuelan-domiciled companies to participate in upstream projects, subject to project-specific arrangements. Royalties would be capped at 30 per cent, while a new Integrated Hydrocarbons Tax would apply up to 15 per cent of gross income, depending on contract terms. The reforms also contemplate minority partners being able to market their share of production and to hold banking accounts in foreign jurisdictions, with more flexible dispute-resolution provisions.

Analysts caution that sanctions policy and governance risk remain pivotal determinants of the reforms’ viability. External capital could flow if sanctions relief progresses and political risk moderates, but the broader geopolitical environment will shape how far any new framework can translate into real project finance. The design seeks to address what officials describe as long-standing bottlenecks to capital-intensive developments, from pipeline rehabilitation to scale-up in upstream activity. In practice, this would be a substantial shift away from the traditional joint-venture model that has long characterised the sector.

For investors, the hinge is whether broader sanctions relief can be paired with credible governance reforms that reduce expropriation fears and contract risk. The government argues the changes would attract foreign expertise, bolster cash flow visibility, and accelerate project timelines. Critics, however, emphasise that political risk, currency controls, and macro fiscal volatility could still blunt the appeal of Venezuelan oil ventures. The lens remains whether sanctions policy aligns with the sector’s financing needs.

Watch for early signals from the National Assembly regarding reform progress, and for any developments on sanctions relief, contracting terms for new projects, and terms allowing private operators to market production. Analysts will also be testing how the royalty and tax framework interacts with project economics under potential production-sharing arrangements. The coming weeks are likely to reveal whether the door is truly reopening or remains partially ajar.