Emergency order addresses critical grid reliability issues, lowering risk of blackouts and ensuring affordable electricity access WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today issued an emergency order to ensure Americans in the Northwestern region of the United States have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity heading into the cold winter months. The order directs TransAlta to keep Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station in Centralia, Washington available to operate. Unit 2 of the coal plant was scheduled to shut down at the end of 2025. The reliable supply of power from the Centralia coal plant is essential for grid stability in the Northwest. The order prioritizes minimizing the risk and costs of blackouts. “The last administration’s energy subtraction policies had the United States on track to experience significantly more blackouts in the coming years — thankfully, President Trump won’t let that happen,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “The Trump administration will continue taking action to keep America’s coal plants running so we can stop the price spikes and ensure we don’t lose critical generation sources. Americans deserve access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to heat their homes all the time, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.” According to DOE’s Resource Adequacy Report, blackouts were on track to potentially increase 100 times by 2030 if the U.S. continued to take reliable power offline as it did during the Biden administration. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) determined in its 2025-2026 Winter Reliability Assessment that the WECC Northwest region is at elevated risk during periods of extreme weather, such as prolonged, far-reaching cold snaps.  This order is in effect beginning on December 16, 2025, and continuing until March 16, 2026.  Background:  The NERC Winter Reliability Assessment warns that “extreme winter conditions extending over

John Wood Group PLC said Tuesday it has won more than $1 billion in contracts across the Middle East this year, exceeding last year’s company record. “Wood has seen a near 20 percent increase in awards compared to 2024, with wins across United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar”, the Aberdeen, Scotland-based engineering and consulting company said in an online statement. Ellis Renforth, president of operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Wood, said, “This year we’ve delivered critical solutions across the Middle East to improve asset reliability and cut emissions”. “In 2026, we’ll build on this success by expanding our operations and maintenance services in the region. Our focus is on proven approaches to asset management and modifications that improve efficiency and reduce downtime – practical steps that strengthen energy security and decarbonization”, Renforth added. Stuart Turl, Wood vice president for Middle East consulting, said, “Decarbonization and digitalization remain central to how we support clients in the Middle East. This year, we launched our specialist Middle East Energy Transition and Digital & AI Hubs to further support clients in accelerating emissions reduction while unlocking efficiencies through AI-driven solutions”. “This in-region advisory enables practical pathways to carbon reduction while supporting national visions for a sustainable energy future. Delivery has already spanned initiatives such as minerals procurement, hydrogen production facilities and carbon capture and storage infrastructure”, Turl said. On May 27 Wood said it had secured a contract from TA’ZIZ, a joint venture of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) PJSC, TA’ZIZ to provide project management consultancy for the development of the UAE’s first methanol production facility, to rise in Al Ruwais Industrial City. “Construction will be completed by 2028 and the plant will be one of the largest methanol plants in the world, producing 1.8 million tonnes per year. It will be powered using the latest clean energy technology”, Wood noted. On June 10 Wood said it

The European Union is set to propose softening emissions rules for new cars, scrapping an effective ban on combustion engines following months of pressure from the automotive industry. The proposal will allow carmakers to slow the rollout of electric vehicles in Europe and aligns the region more closely with the US, where President Donald Trump is tearing up efficiency standards for cars put in place by the previous administration. Globally, automakers are struggling to make the shift profitable, with Ford Motor Co. announcing it will take $19.5 billion in charges tied to a sweeping overhaul of its EV business. The European stepback – to be unveiled Tuesday – follows a global pullback from green policies as economic realities of major transformations set in. Mounting trade tensions with the US and China are pushing Europe to further prioritize shoring up its own industry. Although the bloc is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050, governments and companies are intensifying calls for more flexibility, warning that rigid targets could jeopardize economic stability. Under the new proposal, the European Commission will lower the requirements that would have halted sales of new gasoline and diesel-fueled cars starting in 2035, instead allowing a number of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles with fuel-powered range extenders, according to people with knowledge of the matter.  Tailpipe emissions will have to be reduced by 90 percent by the middle of the next decade compared with the current goal of a 100 percent reduction, said the people, who asked not to be identified because talks on the proposal are private. The commission will set a condition that carmakers need to compensate for the additional pollution by using low-carbon or renewable fuels or locally produced green steel. The European Commission declined to comment. The proposal is set to be adopted by EU commissioners on

West Texas Intermediate oil fell below $55 a barrel for the first time since February 2021 on signs that supply is outpacing demand, while progress in Ukraine peace talks could lead to a deal that may allow more Russian oil to flow onto global markets. US crude futures pared some losses, settling down 2.7% to $55.27. Brent, the global benchmark, fell 2.7% to settle at $58.92. Signs of weakness are proliferating across the supply side of the oil market, with Middle Eastern crude prices entering a bearish pattern known as contango early on Tuesday. The same already had happened with some barrels sold on the US Gulf Coast, with near-dated prices cheaper than contracts for delivery further out. On the WTI futures curve, the front-month contract was trading as little as 9 cents higher than the following month. The demand side looks similarly fragile. Elevated premiums for fuels like gasoline and diesel relative to crude, which supported prices last month, have eased. Meanwhile, weak job growth in the US signaled a potential slowdown in demand, adding further downward price pressure. While markets have been in a period of oversupply, a steady stream of geopolitical risks, and the fact that significant oil supply has gone to stockpiles at sea or in China, has kept markets tight, said Rory Johnston, oil market researcher and founder of Commodity Context. “The market has been trending this way,” Johnston said. “It’s been wanting to sell off, flip into contango for six months now, but it just keeps being delayed from doing so.” Trend-following commodity advisers remained 100% short in both Brent and WTI on Tuesday, according to data from Bridgeton Research Group. Widespread short positioning means that bullish news could push markets higher as automated traders cover positions, Johnston said. “My base case expectation is

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today signed an amendment order granting an additional 44 months for Woodside Energy to commence exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries from the Woodside Louisiana LNG Project under construction in Calcasieu Parish, LA. Once fully constructed, the project will be capable of exporting up to 3.88 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG.    Woodside Louisiana took final investment decision on its first phase earlier this year and has off-take agreements with Germany’s Uniper as well as U.S. pipeline operator Williams who will be marketing natural gas through the Woodside Louisiana LNG project.  “It is exciting to take this action to provide the needed runway for this project to fully take off and realize its potential in providing reliable and secure energy to the world,” said Kyle Haustveit, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is redefining what it means to unleash American energy to strengthen energy reliability and affordability for American families, businesses, and our allies.” The United States is the largest global producer and exporter of natural gas. There are currently eight large-scale LNG projects operating in the United States and several additional projects are expanding or under construction. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department has approved applications from projects authorized to export more than 17.7 Bcf/d of natural gas as LNG, an increase of approximately 25% from 2024 levels. So far in 2025, over 8 Bcf/d of U.S. LNG export capacity, including from Woodside Louisiana LNG, has reached a final investment decision and gone under construction.

Russian crude prices are at their lowest since the war in Ukraine began, as sanctions deepen the discounts the nation’s oil industry needs to offer and benchmark futures tumble.  On average, Russian oil exporters are receiving just over $40 a barrel for cargoes shipped from the Baltic, Black Sea and the eastern port of Kozmino, according to data from Argus Media. That’s down 28% over the last three months, with recent restrictions targeting oil giants Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC widening the markdowns.  Mounting Western pressure on Russia’s oil trade has made it increasingly difficult to sell and deliver the barrels, with measures also targeting refiners at top buyers like India. In addition, global benchmark oil prices are sliding, trading below $60 a barrel for the first time since May on Tuesday.  The revenues Russia receives for its oil — which combined with gas account or about a quarter of the nation’s state budget — are critical to fund its war. Lower income strains the finances of the nation’s oil companies and reduces the amount of tax they pay into the Kremlin’s coffers.  The Trump administration has engaged in a diplomatic flurry geared toward ending the conflict over the last few weeks. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Russian economic growth was slowing down on a recent visit to India.  Indian officials said they expect imports from Russia to be about 800,000 barrels a day this month, sharply lower than in November, though still a significant volume of supplies. A Chinese refiner recently bought a shipment of crude from Russia’s eastern ports at the steepest discount this year. The two Asian nations are the main buyers of Russian oil.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate