MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Wed, Oct 22, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Richard Ellenbogen on recent NYISO reliability concerns; Still more Gulf Coast natural gas storage capacity is on the way; LNG buildout leaves room for both Permian, Haynesville; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas price adds to weather-driven gains; Natural gas is on the move – why brokers should pay attention; U.S. LNG feedgas demand rises above last year’s winter numbers; Balderson introduces bill to unleash American energy, guarantee U.S. energy security; Natural gas may save US producers as oil falls; INTERNATIONAL: Oil price rises on U.S. reserve refill; U.S. energy shift offers economic hope to global south.

OTHER U.S. REGIONS

Richard Ellenbogen on recent NYISO reliability concerns
Pragmatic Environmentalist of New York/Roger Caiazza
Richard Ellenbogen addresses the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) report, which found a reliability margin deficit for New York City starting in summer 2026. Ellenbogen has warned since 2019 that the state’s energy policy is an “unattainable fantasy.” He proposes a viable solution requiring a sea change on natural gas: retooling three older Long Island power plants into modern, combined-cycle facilities. This retrofit would increase efficiency from about 30% to over 60%, reducing both carbon emissions and gas usage by nearly half. He also suggests replacing older MTA subway cars with regenerative models to cut the downstate peak load by about 500 Megawatts. Ellenbogen asserts these practical steps will ensure supply and greatly reduce emissions, unlike the current unworkable plan. [MDN: Ellenbogen is an engineer and a graduate of Cornell University. He began his career with IBM Watson Laboratories and Bell Telephone Laboratories in their Power Systems Laboratory, before joining Allied Converters, a plastic food packaging manufacturer in New Rochelle, N.Y. As president of Allied Converters, Ellenbogen has overseen the company’s transformation into a “green” manufacturer with 100% waste recycling/repurposing, a 65 KW CHP System, and a 50-kilowatt solar array. He knows what he’s talking about. He says NY’s current energy plan is unworkable. But will the Democrats listen? Doubtful.]

Still more Gulf Coast natural gas storage capacity is on the way
RBN Energy/Housley Carr
The Gulf Coast natural gas storage sector is experiencing a significant boom, fueled by increased production, volatile demand (linked to renewables), extreme weather, and new LNG capacity. Midstream companies are developing numerous brownfield and greenfield projects to capitalize on this. Enstor Gas is notably expanding its Mississippi Hub by 33.5 Bcf and acquiring Black Bear Transmission. Trinity Gas Storage launched the 24 Bcf first phase of its greenfield Bethel, TX, project, with a 13 Bcf Phase II planned. Other major developments include Caliche’s Golden Triangle and Spindletop expansions, Black Bayou Energy Hub’s 34.7 Bcf facility, Energy Transfer’s 6 Bcf expansion, and NeuVentus’s planned TRU Hub, collectively set to dramatically increase the region’s storage capacity starting in the next few years. [MDN: The second part of a 2-part series by RBN covering this little-discussed yet has a major impact—gas storage. Read the full (very extensive) articles, both of them, by clicking now while they are free and open to read.]

LNG buildout leaves room for both Permian, Haynesville
Argus Media/Tray Swanson
Growth in natural gas from the Permian and Haynesville basins is crucial to meet rising US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export demand, especially since Appalachia has limited takeaway capacity. Industry experts predict this increased feedgas demand will raise prices, incentivizing drilling in both regions. The US has 17.5 Bcf/d of liquefaction capacity, with an additional 15 Bcf/d under construction. While the Permian is forecasted to increase production, bottlenecks at the Waha and Katy hubs limit the amount of gas reaching Louisiana LNG terminals, necessitating higher output from the Haynesville. Midstream companies are planning new pipelines, like WhiteWater’s Blackfin and DT Midstream’s LEAP, to add over 10 Bcf/d of capacity from the Permian to the Texas-Louisiana border and from the Haynesville to the Gillis hub by 2026-2030, easing constraints and ensuring supply. [MDN: If there’s less oil drilling due to low prices, the Permian isn’t going to need a lot of new gas pipelines. Just sayin’.]

NATIONAL

U.S. natural gas price adds to weather-driven gains
Wall Street Journal
U.S. natural gas futures add to the previous day’s hefty gains as cooler weather forecasts for the end of October and beginning of November point to closer to normal demand for the early heating season. “The weekend cold push is helping the market to turn the page onto more supportive footing,” Eli Rubin of EBW Analytics says in a note. Cooler weather lessens the chances of an early-November supply glut, he adds. “Additional cold weather shifts for November could provide further fuel to the nascent rally.” Natural gas for November delivery rises 2.3% to $3.474/mmBtu. December through February contracts pick up from early weakness and settle higher. [MDN: Hey, not only are we above $3, we are well above it! Heading for $3.50. Love it!]

Natural gas is on the move – why brokers should pay attention
Finance Magnates
Natural gas is experiencing a significant price rally, driven by market fundamentals as the colder season approaches, boosting heating demand. The upward movement is further supported by smaller-than-five-year-average storage injections and increased Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports to Europe and Asia. The price has seen an impressive gain of over 46% in the past year. The article advises brokers to spotlight this less crowded, high-volatility asset to traders for diversification, especially as traditional markets like gold and Nasdaq feel uncertain. While offering strong momentum, brokers must also caution traders about the risk of large price swings and thin liquidity during non-core hours. [MDN: This article is aimed at brokers, to encourage them to “sell” traders on the concept of buying/selling natural gas futures. It makes the case that natgas prices are moving higher, rapidly.]

U.S. LNG feedgas demand rises above last year’s winter numbers
RBN Energy/Lisa Shidler
U.S. LNG feedgas demand is rapidly increasing, with last week’s average at 16.3 Bcf/d, already surpassing last winter’s average and nearing the all-time record set in April. The surge is driven by Cove Point returning to peak operation and continued commissioning at Plaquemines LNG. Although Corpus Christi and Calcasieu Pass saw lower volumes, most other U.S. terminals operate near full capacity. The total demand is expected to shatter previous records soon as winter operations ramp up and new projects, including Plaquemines, Corpus Christi Stage III, and Golden Pass, advance commissioning. [MDN: More demand from these LNG export facilities will push prices a bit higher, hopefully keeping the price above $3.]

Balderson introduces bill to unleash American energy, guarantee U.S. energy security
Congressman Troy Balderson
Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) introduced the Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security Act to promote American energy dominance and independence, moving away from “green new deal” ideologies with an “all-of-the-above” approach. The bill aims to ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy for the U.S. by restoring regulatory sanity and defining three key energy terms for federal regulators, which are currently open to interpretation. Upon enactment, it would require agencies like the Department of Energy, Interior, and EPA to review and align their policies with the bill’s definitions, guaranteeing that reliable and affordable sources, including nuclear and natural gas, remain part of the national energy mix to lower costs and combat a rising risk of power outages. [MDN: A good move on the part of Congressman Balderson. He’s a champion for fossil fuels and wants to ensure future presidents can’t redefine what is and is not an acceptable form of energy for Americans to use. The left loves to redefine things.]

Natural gas may save US producers as oil falls
Forbes/Matt Randolph
Despite falling national gas and oil prices, the natural gas market is volatile, recently spiking 13% due to cold weather and showing signs of long-term increases. The tightness is fueled by permanent market factors, including an anticipated 5% rise in U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) export capacity by 2026. Production is challenged by low forecasted oil prices ($48/barrel), which make drilling in key regions like the Permian Basin unprofitable, as it needs $60/barrel to break even. This, combined with limited pipeline capacity in Appalachia and growing demand from U.S. data centers, is projected to push natural gas prices and utility bills higher, potentially hitting $4.00 by 2026. The irony is that low oil prices could cause higher natural gas prices, though natural gas profits may offset oil company losses, securing jobs and future supply readiness. [MDN: The article makes a good point. When there is less oil drilling, particularly in the Permian, there is less associated natural gas production, meaning more opportunity for M-U molecules to be sold at a higher price. With less production and the same (or increasing) demand, the price goes up. Low oil prices lead to higher natgas prices.]

INTERNATIONAL

Oil price rises on U.S. reserve refill
Bloomberg/Mia Gindis, Jack Wittels
Oil prices eked out a small gain, with West Texas Intermediate settling near $58 a barrel, after the US announced plans to buy 1 million barrels for the national stockpile. However, this minor support was insufficient to reverse the dominant bearish sentiment, which has driven prices down over 10% since late September on expectations of a looming global surplus. Signs of this surplus include record crude held on tankers at sea and signals of ample supply in time spreads. The International Energy Agency anticipates world oil inventories will significantly exceed demand next year as producers, including OPEC+, ramp up output. Experts warn of a “near-term glut,” while commodity trading advisers’ maximum-short positions could accelerate further price drops. [MDN: WTI for November delivery, which expires on Tuesday, gained 0.5% to settle at $57.82 a barrel in New York. The more-active WTI December contract settled at $57.24 a barrel. Brent for December settlement edged up 0.5% to settle at $61.32 a barrel.]

U.S. energy shift offers economic hope to global south
CO2 Coalition/Vijay Jayaraj
For decades, the Global South powered industrial growth and poverty reduction using fossil fuels. However, decarbonization agendas from wealthier nations imposed financial restrictions and bans on fossil fuels and nuclear power, favoring intermittent wind and solar, which are insufficient for large-scale, affordable manufacturing. This shift slowed economic growth, trapping resource-rich nations as raw material exporters and denying reliable electricity to millions. The article highlights a recent U.S. policy shift, which rejects these financing bans, as a crucial opportunity. This policy change promotes energy sovereignty, allowing developing nations to exploit their hydrocarbon reserves to industrialize, create jobs, and achieve the economic progress previously stifled by the “climate cult.” [MDN: Why should other countries be denied the miracle of fossil fuels that have so blessed the world’s developed countries? It makes no sense.]