** The energy crisis roiling markets in Europe is a preview of what the U.S. will face over the next 10 years as it shifts to cleaner power sources, according to Ed Morse, Citigroup’s global head of commodities research.
** A deep-freeze in Canada and Northern U.S. is disrupting oil flows, causing a surge in crude prices just as American stockpiles are declining.
** Florida Power & Light launches a website attacking the Miami Herald and its Tallahassee bureau chief for what it claims is “biased reporting” on legislation the utility drafted to constrict the state’s growing rooftop solar industry.
** An environmental group sues Shell for the release of its climate vulnerability assessments of a Rhode Island fuel terminal on the Providence waterfront.
** Authorities discovered human remains in Boulder County, believed to be one of the two people who were reported missing after the Marshall fire, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.
World
** European benchmark natural gas prices rose on Wednesday for the third day in a row, as gas deliveries from Russia via Ukraine and Poland continue to be low while another cold snap is headed to Europe.
** Iraq approved a state company’s potential purchase of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s interest in a huge oil field in the south of the country.
** ExxonMobil said Wednesday that it made two additional oil discoveries off the coast of Guyana as the South American country prepares to become the world’s newest major oil producer. The discoveries occurred in an area where officials believe they can extract at least 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels.
** The context for oil in Guyana is looking even more favorable thanks to the passing of a landmark local content law last week. With greater opportunities for exploration in Guyana’s waters, as well as already strong investments by some of the world’s supermajors, the Caribbean is set to be the oil-producing region of the future.
** Unidentified assailants harassed an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, a Saudi Arabia-led military coalition said late on Wednesday after receiving a distress call from the vessel.