Iran Attack Highlights Gulf Infrastructure Risk
Iran attack Kuwait desalination power plant damage: As the two sides exchanged taunts, an Iranian attack on Friday hit a water desalination and power plant in Kuwait, a major U.S. ally in the region, causing material damage to parts of the facility, Kuwait’s electricity and water ministry said. The attack underlined a potentially devastating vulnerability for Gulf countries, which rely heavily on desalination for drinking water.
Russian Oil Export Hub Hit by Drone Strikes
Russia Primorsk oil terminal drone attacks Baltic Sea: Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, one of the country’s largest export gateways, lost at least 40% of its storage facilities in Ukrainian drone attacks last month, according to satellite images seen by Reuters. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, launching the heaviest drone strikes on Baltic Sea ports during the war.
Venezuela Moves to Control U.S. Refining Assets
Venezuela PDVSA Citgo control U.S. refinery: Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s administration is getting ready to take over the boards of state oil firm PDVSA’s U.S. subsidiaries, including Citgo Petroleum, according to sources familiar with the preparations. The move could intensify a power struggle over control of the seventh-largest U.S. refiner.
Tanker Shortage Emerges Along U.S. Gulf Coast
oil tanker availability U.S. Gulf Coast global supply shift: Oil tanker availability along the U.S. Gulf Coast has dropped sharply in recent weeks, as Asian and European refiners cut off from Middle Eastern supply have been snapping up vessels to import oil and fuel from the United States, according to shipping analysts and traders.
U.S. Energy Highlights
Drilling Activity Remains Cautious
U.S. oil drilling response high prices: Only a quarter of energy companies reported last week they planned to increase drilling activity due to spiking oil prices, while more than half said they will maintain or even reduce drilling.
LNG Exports Reach Record Levels
U.S. LNG exports record Middle East supply disruption: U.S. LNG exports hit a new record in March as conflict in the Middle East took nearly 20% of global supplies offline, with plants running above capacity and new processing units starting up.
EPA Targets New Drinking Water Contaminants
EPA microplastics pharmaceuticals drinking water rules: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to include microplastics and pharmaceuticals on a list of contaminants in drinking water for the first time, a move that could lead to new limits for water utilities.
Puerto Rico Solar Program Falls Short
Puerto Rico solar panels battery systems funding cuts: As many as 40,000 low-income and medically vulnerable Puerto Ricans were supposed to receive federally funded solar panels and battery systems, but only 6,000 were delivered before funding was cut.
Virginia Expands Energy and Data Center Policy
Virginia energy legislation data centers substations: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed new energy legislation allowing data centers and manufacturers to invest in their own substations and addressing how large customers buy renewable energy certificates.
Gulf Drilling Allowed Despite Opposition
Gulf of Mexico drilling Endangered Species Committee decision: Despite reluctance from oil companies to expand under the “Drill, Baby, Drill” push, the Endangered Species Committee will allow oil companies to drill in the Gulf of Mexico, raising concerns from environmental groups about impacts to wildlife.