Newsletter No. 149
Good afternoon,
Energy markets are hitting the ground running this year. Between evolving global oil trends and growing electricity demand, these are the headlines steering the oil and gas conversation, plus what’s new at King.
This Week's Headlines
- Natural Gas Soars This Week as Arctic Freeze and Speculators Drive Prices Higher
- IEA’s 2026 Oil Demand Outlook Signals Shifting Market Dynamics
- Trump at Davos: Greenland, Venezuela & Energy Politics
- Natural Gas, Podcasting & the Word Obsession on The Jay Young Show
- Milestone Expands Waste Management Footprint in the Permian
Oil and Gas News
Natural Gas Soars This Week as Arctic Freeze and Speculators Drive Prices Higher
Natural gas prices have rocketed higher this week as an intense cold snap across the U.S. drove expectations for heating demand and forced traders to unwind bearish bets. After falling to multi-month lows, the front-month Henry Hub futures have surged sharply as temperatures plunge, with some reports showing prices up more than ~50% over just a couple of trading days amid the Arctic blast and short covering. Natural gas futures had reached over $5 this morning.
On individual trading days, futures have jumped around 22–25% as traders rushed to cover short positions and adjust to colder weather forecasts, amplifying the move when supply risks suddenly look more immediate.
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IEA’s 2026 Oil Demand Outlook Signals Shifting Market Dynamics
The International Energy Agency has raised its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026, meaning people and businesses around the world are expected to use more oil than previously thought next year. At the same time, the expected supply surplus, where producers make more than needs to be consumed—is slightly smaller than earlier estimates. This highlights a market that’s changing: demand is stronger than expected, and supply patterns remain complicated. For energy leaders, this underscores the importance of understanding both real‐world usage and production trends to guide smarter strategy and investment decisions rather than merely reacting to short-term price moves.
Trump at Davos: Greenland, Venezuela & Energy Politics
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump made headlines by discussing strategic geopolitical issues tied to energy and global markets. He emphasized his interest in negotiating control of Greenland, framing it as key for U.S. security, though he said force wouldn’t be used. This is raising some political tensions with European allies. He also signaled support for boosting Venezuela’s oil industry with U.S. investment, a move that could reshape supply dynamics if regulatory and infrastructure hurdles are addressed. These developments show how geopolitics and policy decisions continue to influence energy markets alongside traditional supply and demand forces, reminding stakeholders that political strategy plays a critical role in shaping long-term energy outcomes.
Happening at King
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Natural Gas, Podcasting & the Word Obsession on The Jay Young Show
In this week's episode of The Jay Young Show, my co-host Jordan Soto and I
break down how extreme winter demand is pushing natural gas prices higher, why the power grid relies so heavily on gas during cold snaps, and what these pressures reveal about long-term energy reliability.
The episode also revisits a timely conversation with Jeff Crilley, founder of the Real News Network, on how podcasting and digital media are evolving, and why professional production is becoming essential for creators who want to stand out.
We finish up with my Weekly Five, anchored by the Word of the Week: Obsession, a reflection on discipline, focus, faith, and intentional living in both business and life.
Watch it on LinkedIn, Rumble and YouTube (@JayRYoungOfficial).
Moves to Watch
Milestone Expands Waste Management Footprint in the Permian
Houston-based Milestone Environmental has purchased the Striker slurry injection facility in Lea County, strengthening its waste management operations in the Permian Basin. The deal adds another site to Milestone’s growing network, bringing the company to 15 facilities across Texas and New Mexico.
Milestone says the acquisition helps support cleaner, more efficient energy production by expanding infrastructure used to safely handle and treat oilfield waste. The Striker facility operates 24/7, accepts certain exempt energy waste streams, and will continue running without interruption.
In simple terms: Milestone is growing its footprint to better help oil and gas operators manage waste safely, stay compliant, and reduce environmental impact, while keeping operations running smoothly.
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All the best,
Jay
