MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Tue, Sep 30, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Steel Nation names Eric Deliere superintendent/project manager; NATIONAL: NYMEX natural gas turns higher after lower start; Constellation appoints Alan Armstrong to Board of Directors; Two U.S. markets occasionally produce more electricity from coal than from natural gas; When the NYT fairly reported on global warming (December 13, 1989); Shale boom reshaped gas market, made U.S. major LNG exporter; INTERNATIONAL: Oil price suffers steepest fall since June; OPEC Plus poised to agree fresh output hike; Ukraine targets critical oil infrastructure, a severe blow to Russia’s military and economy.

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION

Steel Nation names Eric Deliere superintendent/project manager
Steel Nation
Effective September 3, 2025, Eric Deliere joined Steel Nation as a Superintendent/Project Manager, bringing extensive experience in general construction and the energy industry from his previous role at Richard Goettle Inc. He has also held positions as Operations Manager and Construction/Environmental Foreman. A Clarion University Environmental Science graduate and Canonsburg, PA resident, Eric joins Steel Nation’s Operations Team, reporting to Shawn Omer. Executive leaders highlighted his expertise in oil and gas, project management, procurement, site supervision, and safety, emphasizing that his knowledge and leadership will enhance Steel Nation’s ability to deliver high-quality products and support continued company growth. [MDN: Steel Nation is one of our fav companies in the Marcellus/Utica. They build steel buildings for things like compressor stations and power plants.]

NATIONAL

NYMEX natural gas turns higher after lower start
Wall Street Journal
Natural gas futures settle higher, reversing early losses. Warm forecasts for coming weeks was pressuring prices early, but other factors came into play later in the day — including data showing higher export demand for U.S. natural gas. “Gains today could also be due to expectations the balance will tighten in the months ahead, aided by increasing LNG capacity/exports, while there could also be seasonal buying,” NatGasWeather.com says in a note. Futures gained 1.9% to $3.267 per mmBtu. [MDN: The “front month” contract changed to the November contract (October expired). And as sometimes happens, the new contract was initially higher, and fortunately, it stayed that way. Good to see the price well above $3 again.]

Constellation appoints Alan Armstrong to Board of Directors
Constellation Energy Corporation
Constellation announced that Alan S. Armstrong, executive chairman of Williams and former CEO with nearly 40 years at the company, will join its board of directors on Jan. 1, 2026. Armstrong, who led major infrastructure expansions and growth in the natural gas sector, is expected to play a key role as Constellation integrates America’s largest natural gas portfolio through its Calpine deal. A respected industry leader and advocate for clean energy, Armstrong also chairs the National Petroleum Council and serves on several boards. He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he chairs the university’s foundation. [MDN: Armstrong is branching out. Time to cash in on his longstanding (and excellent) reputation and knowledge. We don’t blame him.]

Two U.S. markets occasionally produce more electricity from coal than from natural gas
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
Two Midwestern electricity markets, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), still generate more power from coal than natural gas during winter months, though gas dominates elsewhere in the U.S. Coal was the leading source in these regions year-round until 2022, but now only surpasses gas in December–February, when heating demand rises and gas supply faces constraints. Nationally, gas has led since 2018, and many regions no longer rely on coal at all. While coal remains competitive in SPP and MISO, aging plants and growing, efficient natural gas capacity point to coal’s continued decline. [MDN: Natural gas is replacing coal. It burns far cleaner, is extracted far cleaner, and we have it in abundance. We don’t dislike coal, we just think gas is better.]

When the NYT fairly reported on global warming (December 13, 1989)
MasterResource/Robert Bradley Jr.
In 1989, a New York Times report highlighted the growing divide among climate scientists over global warming. While many agreed that greenhouse gases from fossil fuels could raise global temperatures, skeptics argued that forecasts were flawed, overstated, and based too heavily on uncertain computer models. They suggested modest warming might benefit agriculture and rainfall patterns, warning against costly policy measures without clearer evidence. Most researchers held no firm stance, acknowledging valid theory but incomplete science. Critics, such as Richard Lindzen and Patrick Michaels, urged caution, while others insisted that uncertainties should not delay action, leaving policymakers caught between competing scientific views. [MDN: At some point, valid science that investigates morphed into political science that dictates. Back in 1989, the NYT was presenting both sides of the debate instead of taking a side. The NYT is now just another Democrat media outlet presenting the party line.]

Shale boom reshaped gas market, made U.S. major LNG exporter
RBN Energy/Jason Lindquist
The U.S. natural gas market’s transformation from looming shortages to global LNG dominance was driven by the Shale Revolution, which began with George Mitchell’s innovations in fracking and horizontal drilling in the Barnett Shale. Though initially high-cost and niche, shale gained momentum after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 cut supply and spiked prices, fueling investment and drilling. By the late 2000s, new shale plays boosted output, even as most of the industry remained skeptical and pursued costly LNG import terminals. The 2008 financial crisis slowed drilling, but by 2010, shale’s abundance had permanently disrupted gas markets, decoupling prices from crude oil. [MDN: We call it the shale miracle. It’s a fascinating story.]

INTERNATIONAL

Oil price suffers steepest fall since June
Bloomberg/Rong Wei Neo, Alex Longley
Oil prices dropped sharply on expectations that OPEC+ will raise production again in November, with West Texas Intermediate falling 3.5% to $63.45 a barrel and Brent sliding 3.1% to $67.97. The group, led by Saudi Arabia, is weighing at least another 137,000-barrel-per-day hike, though analysts note many members are already at capacity, limiting real output growth. Despite recent gains fueled by Chinese stockpiling and geopolitical risks, forecasts from the IEA and Goldman Sachs predict oversupply and weaker prices ahead. Additional pressure came from the resumption of Iraqi pipeline exports and easing war risk as Israel and Hamas edged toward a U.S.-backed peace plan. [MDN: Not to toot our own horn (toot!), but just yesterday, we said this: “…our guess is that while Brent may have slipped above $70, it won’t stay there long.” And one day later it’s back below $70.]

OPEC Plus poised to agree fresh output hike
Bloomberg/Grant Smith, Fiona MacDonald
OPEC+ is expected to raise oil production again in November as part of its effort to regain global market share, with at least a 137,000 barrel-a-day increase under consideration at its Oct. 5 online meeting. The alliance, led by Saudi Arabia, is gradually reviving 1.66 million barrels a day of previously halted output despite warnings of a potential surplus. While the October hike is smaller than recent months and some members may struggle to deliver, Brent futures have still risen 3% this month. The decision also comes ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s November visit to Washington. [MDN: The Saudis have NEVER been our friends. We’re not sure how and why the oil industry thinks they are. Most of the terrorists who attacked our homeland on Sept. 11, 2001, were Saudi citizens. We are useful to them as customers. Beyond that, they dislike us. They should be treated as the hostile thug dictator nation they are.]

Ukraine targets critical oil infrastructure, a severe blow to Russia’s military and economy
Eurasia Review/Ronald Stein
Ukraine has launched an intensified aerial counteroffensive against Russia by targeting its vital oil refineries and pipelines, striking facilities such as the Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the “8-N” pipeline control station in Bryansk. These attacks aim to cripple Russia’s military and economy, both heavily dependent on refinery infrastructure for fuels and thousands of products. Ukraine’s drone and missile strikes have disrupted several refineries and pipelines, weakening Russia’s supply chains. The campaign underscores the strategic vulnerability of energy infrastructure, drawing parallels to America’s own reliance on refineries and pipelines, particularly in California, where refinery closures raise national security concerns. [MDN: In many ways, this is a David vs. Goliath fight. We hope Ukraine wins.]