Oil Diplomacy

Business

Chevron Outperforms Q4 Profit Forecasts Amid Cost-Cutting Drive, Eyes Expansion in Venezuela

Chevron Corp. reported a drop in fourth-quarter earnings that nonetheless beat analyst expectations, as the oil giant emphasized operational efficiency to navigate lower crude prices. The company, the sole U.S. producer active in Venezuela, signaled it is assessing further investment opportunities in the country following recent geopolitical shifts.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Baker Hughes Doubles Down on Energy Transition with Major Storage and Clean Ammonia Deals

Baker Hughes (BKR) is accelerating its pivot beyond traditional oil and gas, securing key roles in a landmark U.S. clean ammonia plant and expanding its stake in long-duration energy storage technology through a deepened partnership with Hydrostor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

J.P. Morgan Downgrades Enbridge, Spotlighting Growth-Dividend Dilemma in Shifting Energy Landscape

A recent downgrade of Enbridge Inc. by J.P. Morgan analysts has intensified the debate over the pipeline giant's ability to balance future growth with its prized dividend stability, as macroeconomic headwinds pressure its core crude oil segment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cardinal Energy Secures CA$95M in Upsized Equity Financing to Fuel Reford 2 Project and Trim Debt

Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX:CJ) has successfully upsized its bought deal financing to CA$95.15 million, capitalizing on robust investor appetite. The proceeds are earmarked to accelerate development of its key Reford 2 thermal oil project and strengthen its balance sheet, even as its valuation metrics present a complex picture for investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Plains All American Doubles Down on Crude with EPIC Pipeline Deal, Sparking Investor Debate

Plains All American Pipeline's strategic pivot—selling its Canadian NGL unit for $3.8 billion to fund the acquisition of the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline—has sharpened its focus on oil transportation. While a 10% distribution hike signals confidence, analyst downgrades and heightened options volatility ahead of earnings reveal deep divisions over the company's risk-reward profile.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Liberty Energy Navigates Market Turbulence, Bets Big on Power Infrastructure Expansion

Despite a challenging year marked by oil price volatility and softer demand for completion services, Liberty Energy (LBRT) closed 2025 with a resilient Q4 performance. The company is aggressively scaling its distributed power solutions business, targeting 3 GW of projects by 2029, even as it manages pricing pressures in its core fracking operations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tech Jitters, Gold Retreat Rattle Asian Markets as Geopolitical Tensions Simmer

Asian equities faced broad declines Friday, pressured by renewed investor skepticism over the AI investment boom and a sharp pullback in precious metals. The sell-off unfolded against a backdrop of easing oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainties.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cardinal Energy's C$95M Equity Raise Fuels Thermal Ambitions, Tests Investor Patience

Cardinal Energy Ltd. has upsized its equity offering to C$95.15 million, with proceeds aimed at debt repayment and accelerating its thermal oil projects, including the Reford 2 SAGD development. The move highlights the company's strategic pivot but raises questions about dividend sustainability and shareholder dilution in a capital-intensive sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Asian Markets Retreat as Wall Street's Wild Ride Casts a Shadow

Asian equities broadly declined on Friday, taking cues from a volatile U.S. session marked by a historic plunge in Microsoft shares. The sell-off extended to commodities, with oil and precious metals also losing ground.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts See Crypto Winter Thawing: Bitcoin's $60K Floor Holds Key to Recovery

Compass Point Research suggests the prolonged cryptocurrency downturn may be nearing its end, with Bitcoin finding a potential bottom around $60,000-$68,000 unless broader market turmoil intervenes.

Feb 3, 2026

World

Mexico Defies U.S. Pressure, Vows Aid and Fuel for Cuba Amid Deepening Crisis

President Claudia Sheinbaum commits to humanitarian support and exploring fuel shipments to Cuba, directly challenging Trump administration efforts to isolate Havana. The move risks escalating tensions ahead of crucial U.S.-Mexico trade talks.

Feb 2, 2026

World

U.S. Intensifies Counterterrorism Campaign in Somalia Amid Growing ISIS Threat to Homeland

The United States has dramatically escalated airstrikes in Somalia, conducting over 150 missions since 2025, as military officials warn of a direct threat from ISIS-affiliated groups plotting attacks against American soil.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Moscow Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be 'Legitimate Targets'

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a stark warning on Monday, stating any deployment of foreign military forces or infrastructure in Ukraine would be considered an intervention, making those forces lawful targets for Russian strikes.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Amid Rising Tensions, U.S. Air Drills in Middle East Signal Military Posture as Trump Warns Iran

The United States is conducting multi-day air force exercises in the Middle East, showcasing rapid deployment capabilities, as former President Donald Trump renews threats of military action against Iran unless it returns to nuclear negotiations. The drills occur against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric and regional unease.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Exclusive: Iran's Leadership Fears U.S. Military Action Could Spark Uncontrollable Uprising, Sources Reveal

Senior Iranian officials have privately warned Supreme Leader Khamenei that public fury over a recent bloody crackdown has eroded the 'wall of fear,' raising concerns that even a limited U.S. strike could embolden protesters and threaten the regime's stability, according to multiple sources familiar with high-level discussions.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chevron Doubles Down on Venezuela as U.S. Policy Shifts, Eyeing Low-Cost Growth and Dividend Stability

With U.S. sanctions easing, Chevron is accelerating its expansion in Venezuela, aiming to boost production by 50% and secure discounted heavy crude for its refineries, a strategic move to bolster cash flow and shareholder returns amid volatile earnings.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

BitMine Doubles Down on Ethereum Bet Amid $6B Paper Loss, Citing Strong Blockchain Fundamentals

Despite crypto market turmoil and mounting unrealized losses, BitMine Immersion Technologies made its largest weekly Ethereum purchase of the year, as Chairman Tom Lee points to a divergence between price action and robust on-chain activity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coterra and Devon Seal $58 Billion Merger, Forging a U.S. Shale Powerhouse

The all-stock deal creates one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas producers, headquartered in Houston, with combined assets poised to reshape the competitive landscape of the shale sector.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pakistan Withdraws from High-Stakes India World Cup Clash, Citing Security and Political Tensions

Pakistan has announced it will not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India, a decision linked by officials to recent deadly attacks in Balochistan and broader geopolitical disputes involving Bangladesh's tournament exclusion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Funds Bleed $1.7 Billion in a Week as ETF Enthusiasm Cools

Digital asset investment products faced massive withdrawals last week, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs leading the sell-off. The outflows have pushed year-to-date net redemptions past $1 billion, signaling a sharp shift in investor sentiment amid market turmoil.

Feb 2, 2026