Week Recap: Blackouts, $9 Gas & Shell’s Big Play!

Energy News Beat Podcast

Week Recap: Blackouts, $9 Gas & Shell’s Big Play!

May 17, 2025

In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup - Weekly Recap, the hosts, Stuart Turley and Michael Tanner cover urgent U.S. energy grid concerns, including PJM's warning of summer blackouts due to fossil fuel plant retirements and surging demand. They critique California's refinery shutdowns, which could drive gas prices to $9, and discuss Saudi Arabia's budget strain with Brent crude below breakeven levels. The episode also examines Equinor’s potential exit from a New York wind project, Shell’s rumored acquisition of BP, Russia’s massive shipbuilding expansion, and new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade with China.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:00 - Intro

01:38 - U.S. Largest Grid Operator is warning of Summer Power Shortages

05:51 - Newsom’s War On Oil Could Send California Gas Prices To $9, Analyst Warns

09:44 - Saudi Arabia Spends Like Oil’s Still at $90

11:58 - Texas Laws Aim To Stabilize ERCOT Grid By Leveling The Playing Field Among All Power Generators

14:56 - Is Shell Sizing Up Oil’s Biggest Power Grab Yet?

17:49 - Equinor could axe wind project off New York within days

21:26 - Russia readies billions for domestic fleet buildout

23:51 - Washington issues further sanctions aimed at Iran’s trade with China

25:39 - Outro

Please see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.