MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: NJ wind project that Trump dubbed a disaster is canceled; Developers propose more than 100 new gas power plants in Texas; NATIONAL: The shale macro and evolving production dynamics; DOE announces new supercomputer powered by Dell, NVIDIA; Produced water – one man’s garbage is another man’s gold; Granholm says Democrats must ‘do a better job’ selling clean energy; Trump energy adviser slams renewables, says focus is on fossil fuels; AEA urges Congress to act on $9.4 billion rescission package; INTERNATIONAL: EU proposes Nord Stream ban, lower oil cap to hit Russia; Oil edges lower as traders await result of US-China trade talks; Germany embraces LNG as it weans itself off Russian gas; Soviet-era gas crater ‘Door to Hell’ is finally dying down after 50 years of burning.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
NJ wind project that Trump dubbed a disaster is canceled
Bloomberg/Josh Saul
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, a New Jersey offshore wind farm project intended to power over 700,000 homes with up to 2.8 gigawatts from as many as 200 turbines located 8.7 miles off the coast, has been canceled, marking another setback for the U.S. offshore wind sector. The decision, announced by CEO Joris Veldhoven, follows the company’s filing to terminate the project’s renewable energy certificates, which were crucial for its financial viability. The sector has faced challenges from inflation, supply chain issues, and now opposition from the Trump administration, which has criticized offshore wind and halted federal funding for such projects shortly after the election. President Trump specifically targeted Atlantic Shores, calling it a disaster. This cancellation reflects broader difficulties for offshore wind, once viewed as a vital energy source for Northeast and Mid-Atlantic cities, amid economic and political headwinds. [MDN: Good riddance. This is great news for the whales that this project was thought to be killing.]
Developers propose more than 100 new gas power plants in Texas
Inside Climate News
A surge in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Texas is driving a boom in natural gas power plants, raising environmental concerns, according to a report by Inside Climate News. Over 100 new gas power projects, mostly new plants, are under consideration to meet the massive energy demands of these data centers, which require constant, high-capacity power that renewable sources like wind and solar struggle to provide consistently. This shift undermines Texas’ renewable energy progress, as gas plants increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, potentially harming local communities. The report highlights that while data center developers initially aimed for sustainable energy, the immediate needs of AI growth have led to reliance on fossil fuels. Critics argue this trend could lock Texas into decades of carbon-intensive energy, conflicting with global decarbonization goals, while proponents see it as a necessary response to booming tech demands. [MDN: Unreliable renewables are not up to the task of powering data centers. Natural gas (low polluting, good for the environment) is up to the task.]
NATIONAL
The shale macro and evolving production dynamics
OilPrice.com/David Messler
The article discusses the resilience of the U.S. shale oil and gas sector despite a 30% decline in oil prices since January, with WTI prices dropping from $80 to the upper $50s. Despite investor concerns and reduced capital expenditure, the sector generates sufficient free cash flow to cover operational costs, debt, and shareholder returns, presenting long-term investment opportunities at current low valuations. The energy sector’s S&P weighting has fallen from 13% in 2011 to 3% today, suggesting undervaluation. Technological advancements, such as longer laterals, increased frac stages, and AI-driven efficiency, have enabled higher production with fewer rigs, down 30-35% since 2022. The article highlights Chord Energy in the Bakken, noting strong Q1 2025 financials despite a 55% share price drop, with metrics like $695.5M in adjusted EBITDA and a low 2.6X EV/EBITDA valuation, indicating potential for investor gains. [MDN: As we have been saying, at current per barrel oil prices, our shale producers (American O&G in general) can turn a profit, yet we deny the thugs of OPEC+ the opportunity to earn enough to make mischief around the world. These are perfect prices.]
DOE announces new supercomputer powered by Dell, NVIDIA
Rigzone/Andreas Exarheas
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new supercomputer, named Doudna after Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, to be developed by Dell Technologies and NVIDIA at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Set for deployment in 2026, the Doudna supercomputer, powered by NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform, will support high-performance computing tasks such as molecular dynamics, high-energy physics, and AI training. It aims to advance U.S. leadership in AI and scientific discovery, connecting to DOE facilities via the Energy Sciences Network for near-real-time data analysis. The system will serve over 11,000 researchers and 800 projects annually, reinforcing the Trump Administration’s commitment to innovation. Described as a “time machine for science,” Doudna will accelerate breakthroughs in fields like quantum computing and energy, aligning with DOE’s mission to drive cutting-edge research through its exascale computing capabilities. [MDN: Something you don’t often think about, but the national labs, which do important work, operate under the umbrella of the Department of Energy. There’s a reason for that. Most of the important research work done by the labs revolves around energy issues. Energy is life.]
Produced water – one man’s garbage is another man’s gold
Hart Energy/Richard Stubbe
At the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC) in Houston, experts are tackling the challenge of managing millions of barrels of produced water generated daily by the oil and gas industry, particularly from horizontal fracking, which yields four barrels of water per barrel of oil. Referred to as an expense due to its high salt and oil content, produced water’s traditional disposal method—reinjecting it underground—has been limited in states like Oklahoma and Texas due to induced seismic activity. Scientists, including Geoffrey Thyne of ESal and Fatick Nath of Texas A&M, are exploring costly but promising treatments like filtration, coagulation, and thermal distillation, which could leverage abundant solar energy in West Texas. These methods aim to make the water reusable for irrigation, livestock, or industrial purposes. However, effective reuse requires supportive state and federal legislation to redefine beneficial reuse, potentially unlocking the economic value of minerals like lithium and boron in the water. [MDN: Injection wells are the best way to safely reinject the water from the place it originally came from. However, if injecting it causes earthquakes, other solutions are necessary. Don’t worry, our creative industry will figure it out.]
Granholm says Democrats must ‘do a better job’ selling clean energy
POLITICO/Brian Dabbs
At POLITICO’s Energy Summit, former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm expressed regret that Democrats failed to effectively promote clean energy jobs during the 2024 campaign, allowing President Donald Trump to win while championing fossil fuels. Granholm emphasized the need for Democrats to engage diverse audiences, including non-traditional platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast, to highlight the Biden administration’s investments in wind, solar, and electric vehicles. She urged Republicans to reconsider restrictive clean energy policies in recent budget legislation, such as limits on foreign company involvement and tight construction timelines for tax credits, warning that removing EV tax credits could slash sales by 40% and benefit China. Granholm praised Elon Musk’s Tesla but noted his recent criticism of Republican policies. Under her DOE leadership, significant funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Law and 2022 Inflation Reduction Act boosted clean energy, though Trump’s DOE, led by Chris Wright, has since cut billions in grants, prioritizing fossil fuels. Granholm now advises at DGA Group and serves on Edison International’s board. [MDN: This talk by Granholm is the perfect example to illustrate just how STUPID she is and why she was the WORST Secretary in the history of the DOE. She presumes unreliable renewables are superior and just need a better sales job—that you (the people) are too dumb to understand just how superior renewables are unless you’re lectured by arrogant sods like her. God help us from EVER having another Democrat in the White House.]
Trump energy adviser slams renewables, says focus is on fossil fuels
POLITICO/Ian M. Stevenson
President Donald Trump’s administration is prioritizing fossil fuel expansion over renewable energy, as emphasized by Jarrod Agen, a deputy assistant to the president and executive director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, during POLITICO’s Energy Summit. Despite economic uncertainties impacting energy markets and record oil production under the previous administration, Trump aims to bolster oil, gas, and coal industries, sidelining wind and solar, which Agen claims rely heavily on subsidies. The council, operating with a small “tiger team,” coordinates energy policy, accelerates permits, and supports projects like natural gas pipelines in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, renamed the Gulf of America. While critics question the council’s opaque operations, Trump’s policies include keeping coal plants open and drilling in Alaska’s untouched lands. This fossil fuel focus contrasts with calls from industry leaders like Elon Musk for clean energy innovation, prioritizing energy dominance and trade benefits over climate goals. [MDN: Go team tiger! We love it. We are delighted that DJT is focusing on promoting fossil energy. After all, fossil energy is why we have the high standard of living we now enjoy.]
AEA urges Congress to act on $9.4 billion rescission package
American Energy Alliance
Congress is set to vote on President Trump’s proposal to rescind $9.4 billion in budget authority, including the entire $125 million allocated for the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) in FY 2025. Thomas Pyle, President of the American Energy Alliance, praised Trump for his commitment to reducing unnecessary spending and for targeting the CTF, which he labeled an “Obama-era boondoggle” costing American taxpayers billions. Pyle highlighted the fund’s inefficiencies, pointing to recent blackouts in Spain as evidence that nations need reliable, affordable energy rather than subsidized renewable projects like wind farms. The CTF, managed by the World Bank and heavily funded by the U.S. with over $3 billion since its inception, is criticized as a “green slush fund.” Pyle views this rescission as a step toward a more responsible federal budget process, prioritizing American taxpayers. [MDN: Congress must act to rescind, especially the CTF!]
INTERNATIONAL
EU proposes Nord Stream ban, lower oil cap to hit Russia
Bloomberg/Andrea Palasciano
The European Union has proposed a new sanctions package targeting Russia to pressure Moscow into ending its war against Ukraine, including a ban on the inoperable Nord Stream gas pipelines and lowering the G-7 oil price cap from $60 to $45. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the measures aim to counter Russia’s aggressive stance, with the package requiring unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states and potential adoption by June 23. The Nord Stream ban, supported by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, seeks to eliminate speculation about resuming gas flows, while the lower oil cap, needing U.S. approval, aims to adapt to market changes. Additional measures include disconnecting 22 banks from SWIFT, imposing €2.5 billion in trade restrictions, and targeting Russia’s shadow fleet of 77 vessels. This follows U.S. President Trump’s reluctance to enforce a ceasefire, highlighting transatlantic differences on handling the conflict. [MDN: European weenies growing a spine? Perhaps miracles still do happen!]
Oil edges lower as traders await result of US-China trade talks
Bloomberg/Mia Gindis, Julia Fanzeres
Oil prices dipped slightly, with West Texas Intermediate settling at $64.98 and Brent at $66.87 per barrel, as markets awaited outcomes from ongoing U.S.-China trade talks, which U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described as “fruitful” but inconclusive, potentially extending late. Prices were also tempered by the restart of Canadian oil sands production previously halted by wildfires. Crude has remained within a $5 range over the past two months, balancing softened summer demand against global trade tensions and OPEC+’s faster-than-expected production increase. OPEC projects oil demand will rise to 120 million barrels per day by 2050, seeing no peak. Meanwhile, U.S. domestic crude output is expected to decline in 2026, challenging energy dominance goals. Commodity trading advisers have neutralized short positions, with potential for a net-long shift if prices rise further. Geopolitically, U.S. doubts about a Palestinian state and concerns over Iran’s nuclear deal demands add complexity to market dynamics. [MDN: Still perfect oil prices. That $5 range in the $60s is wonderful.]
Germany embraces LNG as it weans itself off Russian gas
New York (NY) Times/Stanley Reed, Melissa Eddy
Germany is rapidly shifting from Russian pipeline gas to liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, primarily from the United States, to reduce energy dependence on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The country has built new LNG terminals, such as the one in Wilhelmshaven operational since 2022, to handle increased imports, with Europe boosting its LNG capacity by 30% annually. This move addresses the vulnerability exposed by Russia’s gas supply cuts, which once accounted for 55% of Germany’s gas. Despite a decline in overall gas consumption, LNG from diverse sources like the U.S. and Qatar is vital for Germany’s energy needs, which constitute 20% of its energy mix. The EU aims to phase out Russian gas by 2027, but challenges remain due to high costs and global competition for LNG, prompting Germany to diversify while navigating economic and geopolitical pressures. [MDN: Germany is still in a tailspin after betting big on renewables and losing. However, maybe (just maybe) the country can turn it around by using more U.S. LNG. One can hope.]
Soviet-era gas crater ‘Door to Hell’ is finally dying down after 50 years of burning
Interesting Engineering/Georgina Jedikovska
The Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the “Door to Hell,” located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, has been burning for over 54 years since Soviet geologists accidentally ignited it in 1971 to prevent toxic gas spread after drilling into a natural gas pocket. This 230-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep crater, reaching temperatures over 1,832°F, has consumed millions of cubic meters of methane annually, becoming a major tourist attraction with over 10,000 yearly visitors. Recent efforts to capture methane through surrounding wells have reduced the fire’s intensity threefold, with scientists noting only a faint combustion remains compared to its former fiery glow visible kilometers away. Despite decades of government calls to extinguish it due to environmental and economic concerns, the crater’s flames are finally diminishing, signaling a potential end to this iconic inferno, though no definitive closure date is confirmed. [MDN: So this gigantic open fire that’s burning natural gas and turning it into God knows how much CO2 minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, month by month, and year by year (for 54 friggin years), and yet it is ignored by the environmental left. Which points out the rank hypocrisy of the climate hoaxers in fiddling around with gas stoves and the like.]