MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Oct 30, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Sen. McCormick says Pa. should be the ‘tip of the spear’ on AI technology development; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: First California, now New York – states doing an about face on climate policy; NATIONAL: Flotek unit becomes first optical spectrometer to meet GPA 2172 Standard; Global X launches U.S. natural gas ETF seeking to capitalize on LNG exports; Tens of thousands of white-collar jobs are disappearing as AI starts to bite; AI frenzy spreading over to Caterpillar, oil frackers; INTERNATIONAL: Oil rebounds as stockpiles drop; Brazil is expanding its liquefied natural gas import infrastructure; Hey ho, IMO has gotta go!; Climate hucksters issue report saying “planet on the brink”; America’s newest export: the shale revolution.
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION
Sen. McCormick says Pa. should be the ‘tip of the spear’ on AI technology development
Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News/J.D. Prose
Republican Senator Dave McCormick argues that while the exploding AI sector will be disruptive to some workers, Pennsylvania must proactively position itself as a leader—the “tip of the spear”—to fully reap the economic benefits, such as significant job creation through data centers. He emphasized that the state has existing advantages like energy and skilled labor, but needs further capital investment, particularly in energy infrastructure, to attract development. McCormick acknowledged the need to assist displaced workers and address resident concerns about data center impacts, like water usage. He also stressed the importance of tackling ethical and moral questions surrounding AI through regulation. Finally, the senator highlighted his cordial, working relationship with Democratic Senator John Fetterman despite their policy disagreements. [MDN: PA got a gem when it elected McCormick to replace the unaccomplished trust-funder Bob Casey. We continue to be hopeful about PA’s chances with AI, but concerned that the state, under Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro, will blow its big opportunity.]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
First California, now New York – states doing an about face on climate policy
Energy in Depth/Nicole Jacobs
States like California and New York, which implemented aggressive climate mandates to limit fossil fuels, are now backtracking due to concerns over grid reliability and high consumer costs. Experts had cautioned that putting ambitious goals ahead of operational realities would lead to these predictable outcomes. California recently signed a package enabling more oil and gas drilling, while New York’s Governor Hochul is fighting a court ruling that enforces a landmark climate law, arguing the goals are “infeasible” because they would impose extraordinary costs on residents. This shift demonstrates a prioritization of low energy costs and operational reliability over accelerated climate targets. [MDN: The insane Democrats who run states like CA and NY want to stay in power, that’s why the change. They understand if they don’t get a handle on high energy prices, they’re history.]
NATIONAL
Flotek unit becomes first optical spectrometer to meet GPA 2172 Standard
Flotek Industries, Inc.
Flotek Industries, Inc.’s XSPCT™ Custody Transfer Unit has become the first optical spectrometer to meet the rigorous measurement accuracy standards of GPA 2172 (API 14.5) for natural gas measurement. This milestone is a historic achievement for the oil and gas industry, as the XSPCT unit provides real-time volume and quality data every 5-20 seconds, far surpassing the speed of traditional gas chromatography methods, which may only provide spot sampling every 3-6 months. Tested across major U.S. basins, the unit demonstrated reliable precision, with a negligible bias of 0.3 BTU/scf, validating its accuracy for custody transfer and digital valuation. This technology is poised to deliver greater transparency and data-driven insights to royalty owners, operators, and midstream companies, streamlining operations and reducing costs. [MDN: Yes, a self-serving press release for Flotek, but this seems like a major innovation and something landowners, drillers, and pipeline companies should all be interested in.]
Global X launches U.S. natural gas ETF seeking to capitalize on LNG exports
Global X Management Company LLC
The article announces that Global X Management Company LLC launched the Global X U.S. Natural Gas ETF (LNGX) on October 29, 2025, to capitalize on the growing momentum of U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. The fund, which tracks the Global X U.S. Natural Gas Index and has an expense ratio of 0.45%, offers pure-play exposure to the entire natural gas value chain. This includes companies involved in upstream exploration and production, as well as midstream transport, processing, liquefaction, and export infrastructure. Global X views the U.S. as the backbone of global energy supply—and the world’s largest LNG exporter—expecting trade dynamics and policy changes to drive a greater global reliance on U.S. LNG for years, serving as essential baseload power while complementing renewables. [MDN: If you are fortunate enough to invest money in ETFs (similar to mutual funds), this might be a fund to consider. Disclaimer: We’re not investment or financial advisors. Consult your own advisor before investing.]
Tens of thousands of white-collar jobs are disappearing as AI starts to bite
Wall Street Journal/Lindsay Ellis, Owen Tucker-Smith, Allison Pohle
The nation’s largest employers, including Amazon and UPS, are implementing deep cuts to their white-collar workforces, eliminating tens of thousands of corporate jobs and creating a stagnant job market for experienced workers. This “leaner new normal” is primarily driven by companies embracing artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and handle tasks previously performed by well-compensated staff, pressured by investors seeking headcount reductions. Consequently, opportunities for office workers are shrinking, leading to widespread job insecurity and forcing those laid off, like former tech sales employee Chris Reed, into drastic career and financial changes. Meanwhile, the demand for front-line, blue-collar, and specialized workers in fields like healthcare and construction continues to grow. The shift is fundamentally remaking U.S. office work, leaving fewer managers, heavier workloads, and a precarious feeling for the remaining staff. [MDN: We’re not unsympathetic, but this is the new normal. Get used to it. It’s happening in the O&G world, too. It’s time to embrace and learn AI, no matter what kind of work you do, as AI is already everywhere.]
AI frenzy spreading over to Caterpillar, oil frackers
Bloomberg/J.Lorinc, M.Griffin, E.Sanchez
Caterpillar Inc. is experiencing a surge in its power generation and turbine sales, driven by the global demand for AI infrastructure and data centers, overshadowing its traditional machinery business. The company’s Energy & Transportation unit, which supplies this equipment, saw sales jump 31% in its latest quarter, becoming the largest and fastest-growing segment and causing the stock to hit a record high. This trend demonstrates how the AI boom is benefiting established industrial players, with energy firms like ProPetro Holding, Halliburton, and Liberty Energy also pivoting to supply electricity to data centers, resulting in significant stock gains and reflecting the macroeconomic impact of AI-driven construction. [MDN: It is quite the pivot for oilfield services companies (even midstream companies like Williams) that are pivoting to provide gas-fired power plants for the AI industry. The world is topsy-turvy due to AI.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil rebounds as stockpiles drop
Bloomberg/Staff
Oil prices increased, snapping a three-day losing streak, primarily due to a substantial 6.9 million barrel decline in US crude inventories and the impact of new Western sanctions targeting Russian crude producers. West Texas Intermediate settled at $60.48, and Brent at $64.92, with prices also boosted by unseasonably high gasoline demand. The market is currently evaluating how many actual barrels will be removed by the sanctions, especially as major buyers like India’s IOC plan to continue compliant purchases. However, bullish sentiment is capped by expectations of a global surplus from OPEC+ production increases and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s statement that a December rate cut is “far from” a certainty, keeping oil on track for a third monthly decline. [MDN: Yep. Oil remains firmly in the $60s and will likely continue there for the foreseeable future.]
Brazil is expanding its liquefied natural gas import infrastructure
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
Brazil has significantly expanded its liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification capacity, more than doubling it from 2.5 Bcf/d in 2020 to 5.1 Bcf/d by August 2025, driven by a need to diversify energy supply and enhance security. This rapid growth is part of an integrated “LNG-to-power strategy,” linking new import facilities with large natural gas-fired power plants, like the one at Barcarena. Regulatory changes, including the New Gas Law, accelerated this expansion by breaking the Petrobras monopoly and opening the market to private developers. The LNG-fueled plants provide crucial, flexible backup to the national power grid, which is heavily dependent on hydropower and vulnerable to droughts. The United States remains the primary supplier, accounting for 72% of Brazil’s LNG imports in 2024. [MDN: Pay attention M-U drillers (and gas traders, like EQT). Brazil can be a future customer!]
Hey ho, IMO has gotta go!
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)/Darren Nelson
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) postponed a vote on its proposed Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions pricing mechanism for international shipping, delaying the decision for one year after pushback led by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Critics, including the U.S. Administration, reject the proposal, calling it the “UN’s First Global Carbon Tax” and an unsanctioned global tax regime. They warn that the scheme would cause fuel costs to rise by a projected 350% for the over 90% of the fleet relying on conventional fuels, with consumers bearing the cost. Though the IMO asserts the mechanism is not a tax, the organization has consistently escalated its focus from maritime safety to aggressive climate action, setting a 2050 net-zero target despite criticism that its impact assessment lacks proper risk analysis. [MDN: Tell the IMO to go screw itself, that the U.S. is no longer a part of it. That’s our considered advice.]
Climate hucksters issue report saying “planet on the brink”
The New Lede/Brian Bienkowski
The annual “State of the Climate” report paints a dire picture, finding that Earth’s vital signs are “flashing red” as 22 of 34 key indicators, including fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, are at record highs or trending negatively. The report, co-led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Oregon State University, notes that 2024 was the hottest year on record. Record-breaking impacts include a 370% rise in tropical forest fires and the largest-ever coral bleaching event. While the authors warn the planet is “hurtling toward climate chaos,” they emphasize that mitigation strategies such as land protection and renewable energy adoption are available and cost-effective, but the window for bold, swift action is rapidly closing. [MDN: Complete garbage and fake “science”—every bit of it. It’s all climate hucksterism from people with a financial interest in Big Green technologies. Fortunately, most people now see through the lies.]
America’s newest export: the shale revolution
Forbes/Robert Rapier
The U.S. shale revolution transformed the global energy landscape, establishing the U.S. as the top producer, but its growth is now maturing. Attention is shifting to the next wave of unconventional plays internationally. Argentina’s Vaca Muerta is emerging as the first non-U.S. basin with credible commercial scale and investment depth, despite facing regulatory hurdles. China holds the world’s largest recoverable shale gas reserves and its success could reshape Asian energy trade and domestic coal dependence. Saudi Arabia is developing its gas-rich Jafurah shale to fuel domestic industry and free up oil for export. These new global plays, particularly in Argentina, China, and Saudi Arabia, signal a shifting frontier for energy security and investment opportunities. [MDN: And we’ll repeat what we’ve said before…shale energy in the U.S. works because we have something most other nations don’t have—private property rights. Our landowners and rights owners own the mineral rights. In other countries, the state owns the mineral rights. Meaning widespread shale drilling in other countries is unlikely.]