Gulf Coast Freeze Disrupts U.S. Energy Output
** Oil and gas refiners on the Gulf Coast shut down refining units amid freezing temperatures, disrupting as much as 10% of U.S. natural gas production.
Exxon’s XTO Looks to Exit Eagle Ford Assets
** XTO Energy, an Exxon Mobil subsidiary, aims to sell its Eagle Ford shale assets in South Texas for nearly $1 billion, according to Reuters. The sale would reportedly include more than 1,000 wells across 168,000 acres. Exxon operates some wells directly and holds non-operating interests in others.
Court Blocks Halt to EV Charging Funds
** A federal judge ruled the Trump administration unlawfully halted funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
Democratic States Challenge Federal Clean Energy Moves
** A coalition of 20 Democratic-led states has asked a federal judge to block six Trump administration policies they argue arbitrarily disrupt clean energy development.
Regulators Reject Major Rail Merger
** Federal regulators rejected Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s proposed merger after Wyoming coal producers warned it would increase transportation costs.
World
OPEC+ Signals Production Hold
** OPEC+ is expected to keep oil production flat in March and reaffirm a first-quarter pause in supply increases when the group meets Feb. 1, according to Bloomberg.
Baker Hughes Eyes Venezuela Growth
** Baker Hughes says easing sanctions and improved payment mechanisms could open significant new revenue opportunities in Venezuela’s oil sector, Reuters reported.
Vietnam Partners With BYD on EV Batteries
** Vietnam automaker Kim Long Motor announced a partnership with China’s BYD to build a $130 million battery plant for commercial electric vehicles in central Vietnam.
Bangladesh Probes Imported Power Costs
** A government-appointed committee in Bangladesh reports an Adani Power coal-fired plant passes Indian corporate taxes to Bangladesh and charges above-market electricity rates.