MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Jan 22, 2026 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Wyoming should ditch green hydrogen boondoggles; NATIONAL: Offshore wind lawsuit confusion abounds; Devon Energy – a Coterra deal is the good move; US propane reaches 14-month low against WTI amid supply surplus; Money to ‘decarbonize’ more useless than gym memberships, extended warranties; INTERNATIONAL: Crude gains as IEA lifts demand outlook; EU hydrogen matchmaking platform opens for buyer expressions of interest; A young Canadian helping shape the future of energy; Mexico’s planned gas-fired plants, LNG export capacity driving pipeline projects; British climate crusade creates economic disaster.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Wyoming should ditch green hydrogen boondoggles
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)
This article condemns green hydrogen as an “extravagant waste” and a “financial black hole” for Wyoming. The author argues that production consumes significantly more energy than it yields, making it economically unviable compared to abundant natural gas. Furthermore, the process exacerbates water scarcity in arid regions and faces immense infrastructure hurdles, including metal embrittlement and high-pressure storage risks. Because renewable energy is too intermittent for industrial-scale electrolysis, the author claims these projects rely solely on federal subsidies rather than market demand. Ultimately, the piece urges Wyoming to reject green hydrogen hubs in favor of proven, cost-effective natural gas alternatives. [MDN: The ultimate issue is that there aren’t customers lining up to pay exorbitant prices for “green” hydrogen. No customers, no demand, no market.]
NATIONAL
Offshore wind lawsuit confusion abounds
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT)
The article asserts that recent court-ordered pauses on administrative stop-work orders for offshore wind projects are standard judicial reviews, not definitive defeats for the Trump administration. While mainstream media frames these preliminary injunctions as industry victories, the author explains they merely maintain the status quo while the “balance of powers” evaluates specific claims. Impacted companies cite massive financial losses and logistical hazards, while courts demand more specific evidence for construction halts, such as radar interference. Ultimately, the legal outcome remains undecided, representing a procedural step in the American legal system rather than a final ruling against the administration. [MDN: Leftist media is using propaganda to mislead. What’s new?]
Devon Energy – a Coterra deal is the good move
Seeking Alpha
Devon Energy (DVN) earns a Buy rating by prioritizing operational optimization and aggressive deleveraging amid low crude prices. The company has retired $485 million in debt and achieved significant cost savings, supporting a strong 7.1% free cash flow yield. A potential $50 billion merger with Coterra Energy stands as a primary growth catalyst, promising to extend inventory runway and diversify revenue through Coterra’s Marcellus shale gas assets. While Devon’s multi-basin model faces higher costs than single-basin peers, its attractive valuation and focus on technological efficiency position it to thrive through market volatility and significant industry consolidation. [MDN: This is an article written by an investor for investors. He endorses the concept of Devon and Coterra merging. We reported this rumor last week. Nothing new to report other than people like this investor continue to chat about the possibility.]
US propane reaches 14-month low against WTI amid supply surplus
Discovery Alert
The article highlights that in January 2026, the US propane-to-WTI crude price ratio hit a 14-month low of 42.9%, significantly below the 54.1% five-year average. This decline stems from an unprecedented supply surplus, with domestic stocks at 95.7 million barrels—33% above historical norms—and Gulf Coast inventories up 60%. Driven by shale gas expansion, production outpaces consumption, requiring record export levels to stabilize the market. Analysts warn the ratio could plunge to 30% by summer 2026 if oversupply persists. Ultimately, these factors decouple propane pricing from traditional crude oil correlations due to structural supply-push dynamics. [MDN: It’s important to understand that propane (and butane, and ethane) is an NGL and is a byproduct of drilling for other hydrocarbons—namely oil or natural gas. With an increase in shale oil/gas drilling comes an increase in propane. Market demand has not grown as quickly as supply.]
Money to ‘decarbonize’ more useless than gym memberships, extended warranties
The Empowerment Alliance
Gary Abernathy argues that the $20 trillion global investment in decarbonization is a monumental failure, likening it to a costly scam. Despite massive spending by the U.S. and Europe, hydrocarbon consumption remains dominant, while renewables like wind and solar contribute minimally to total energy production. Abernathy critiques misleading industry statistics, noting that while renewables represent most new capacity, they lack the reliability of traditional dispatchable sources. Ultimately, he contends this “climate-based hoax” has yielded a negligible 2% reduction in hydrocarbon share, leaving the energy grid vulnerable and taxpayers with an abysmal return on investment for their money. [MDN: Unfortunately, most are not willing to hear and believe the truth. The truth is that unreliable renewables are a miserable failure, incapable of meeting our energy needs.]
INTERNATIONAL
Crude gains as IEA lifts demand outlook
Bloomberg/Rigzone
Oil prices edged higher as West Texas Intermediate settled near $61 a barrel, bolstered by President Trump’s “framework” deal for Greenland, which averted threatened tariffs on European nations and eased trade war concerns. Geopolitical risks also supported prices following reports of potential U.S. military action in Iran. While the IEA slightly raised its 2026 global demand growth forecast, the market continues to face a significant supply glut. Additional upward pressure came from a force majeure at Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oilfield and extreme cold weather in the U.S., which drove sharp increases in diesel and natural gas futures. [MDN: Livin’ fat and happy back in the $60s. WTI for March settlement rose 0.4% to settle at $60.62 a barrel, while Brent for March settlement added 0.5% to settle at $65.24 a barrel.]
EU hydrogen matchmaking platform opens for buyer expressions of interest
Rigzone
The European Commission has initiated its first call for buyer interest via a new hydrogen matchmaking platform, following supply offers from over 260 international projects. Part of the broader EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform, this mechanism connects industrial off-takers with renewable and low-carbon hydrogen suppliers to accelerate decarbonization and bolster energy security. Operating under the European Hydrogen Bank until 2029, the initiative facilitates demand aggregation and market transparency without offering direct financing. This tool builds upon the success of the AggregateEU gas mechanism, aiming to stabilize long-term energy partnerships and strengthen European industrial competitiveness overall. [MDN: Those Euro weenies are pretty thick-headed. They just don’t get the fact that there are no customers for “green” hydrogen. Some people have to learn the hard way. The EU is full of them.]
A young Canadian helping shape the future of energy
Canadian Energy Centre
Max McGivern, a 22-year-old student at the University of Calgary, is championing Canada’s energy industry through his work with Young Canadians for Resources. Emphasizing the sector as the nation’s “beating heart,” McGivern advocates for responsible development and greater youth engagement as leadership transitions to his generation. With 82% of young Canadians supporting energy exports, he envisions a future defined by technological innovation and a diverse energy mix, including oil, gas, and renewables like wind and geothermal. McGivern believes that fostering public understanding and cooperation is essential to securing Canada’s long-term economic prosperity and resource management. [MDN: There are young people with brains in Canada after all! Who knew? Go Max!!]
Mexico’s planned gas-fired plants, LNG export capacity driving pipeline projects
RBN Energy
Mexico’s increasing demand for U.S. natural gas is primarily driven by the CFE’s expansion of gas-fired power plants and emerging LNG export projects. Private-sector leaders like Sempra Infrastructure and Grupo CLISA manage critical pipeline networks transporting Permian and Eagle Ford gas to Mexican industrial hubs. While Sempra converts its ECA terminal for exports and CLISA develops the Yuma Pipeline, the CFE plans to add 5,800 MW of generating capacity by 2030. Although the primary pipeline buildout is largely finished, future growth focuses on targeted expansions and “last-mile” connections to support new plants and southeastern industrial demand. [MDN: Olé! We get to sell more of our natgas from the Permian and Eagle Ford to Mexico. That’s a win/win.]
British climate crusade creates economic disaster
CO2 Coalition
Vijay Jayaraj argues that the United Kingdom is suffering a self-inflicted economic disaster fueled by an ideological climate agenda that prioritizes “green” symbolism over engineering reality. By forcing a transition to intermittent renewables, the government has triggered astronomical electricity rates and widespread energy poverty, forcing many citizens to choose between heating and eating. This policy has decimated British industry, driving manufacturing abroad while crippling the domestic North Sea oil and gas sector through punitive taxation and licensing bans. Ultimately, Jayaraj contends that the bipartisan pursuit of net-zero targets has sacrificed national energy sovereignty for a fragile, expensive, and failing infrastructure. [MDN: The once great country of England has fallen. It’s enormously (and personally) sad for us. In a previous job, we made many trips to the UK (London) and loved it there. How sad that the country has chosen energy suicide.]