Week 1: January 1, 2024 -- January 7, 2024

Locator: 46467TOPSTORIES. 

Top, top story: 

• the earth hangs in the balance (John Kerry, Algore, Greta) but for Biden, geopolitics more important
• Biden won't allow tax credits for EV autos with Chinese batteries
• "For want of a rider, the battle was lost. For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail."
  

Top story: 

• regional "wars" everywhere: Gaza, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Ukraine
• all are in somewhat off a "steady state" situation
  

Top international non-energy story:

• Gaza: Israel shows no sign of letting up
• Ukraine: not looking good for the home team
  

Top international energy story:

• OPEC+ no longer in control
• US producing at record levels
• Venezuela about to flood the global markets with oil
• Germany: de-industrializing due to high-priced energy (natural gas and electricity)
  

Top national non-energy story:

• US equity markets snap nine-week "winning" streak
• US economy surprisingly strong; consumer surprisingly resilient
• auto sector: best year for the industry since 2019;
  
• November jobs: unexpected and higher
  
• higher than forecast
• unemployment remains unchanged
  

Top national energy story:

• US LNG:
• US: #1 global exports
• Qatar falls to #2
  
• US crude oil
• field production at record levels
• blowing Saudi away
  
• three consecutive months > 13 million bopd
• two different offshore wind projects in the news this past week
  
• huge offshore wind project off east coast of US scrapped by developers (Equinor, BP)
• first wind turbine of new offshore wind project off Martha's Vineyard up and running, providing 5MW of electricity; 
  

Focus on fracking: link here.

Top North Dakota non-energy story:

Top North Dakota energy story:

Geoff Simon's  quick connects: link here.

Bakken economy: 

• plugging along;
• the buzz? Risks of NG takeaway capacity in the New Year!

Commentary: