U.S. Politics and Policy
** President Trump said he may block Exxon Mobil from investing in Venezuela after Exxon CEO Darren Woods called the country “uninvestable” during a Friday meeting at the White House.
** The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments connected to more than 40 Louisiana lawsuits seeking to hold energy companies responsible for legacy environmental damage tied to oil and gas operations.
Renewables and Grid
** Arkansas residents sued a county judge over his authority to use industrial revenue bonds to support a NextEra Energy subsidiary’s nearly $300 million, 200 MW solar farm.
** New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the Trump administration over the halt of Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind, arguing the decision threatens workers, families, and climate goals.
** A long-delayed and controversial transmission line bringing Quebec hydropower into New England is expected to come online this week.
Economy and Jobs
** Alaska economists project continued oil and gas expansion will add about 1,000 jobs in 2026, an 11.1% increase over last year, though still far below the sector’s 2014 employment peak.
World Energy Brief
Venezuela and Global Oil Flows
** Four tankers that departed Venezuela in early January operating in “dark mode” (transponders off) reportedly returned to Venezuelan waters after recent U.S. tanker seizures and amid Washington’s push to secure Venezuelan oil following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest.
Global Renewables
** Brazil added nearly 12GW of solar capacity in 2025, according to GlobalData, pushing solar to nearly one-quarter of the country’s electricity mix.
** Nextpower Arabia, a joint venture between Abunayyan and Nextpower, has been incorporated in Riyadh to accelerate utility-scale solar deployment across MENA, aligning with Vision 2030.
Oil and Offshore Operations
** Petrobras (PBR) renewed a contract with Solstad Offshore for an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, extending its offshore support capacity.