We Want It Back! The Energy Report 12/18/2025

Oil prices are back on the rise as President Trump says he wants our oil back and a report from the Energy Information Administration that does not fit the oil glut narrative as the US under President Trump’s energy dominance sees US oil product exports hitting an amazing 12.164 million barrels a day.

Yet the spotlight remains on President Trump’s position regarding Venezuela, which has played a significant role in driving oil prices back up from a five-year low. His assertive stance is clear, as he stated, “They took all of our energy rights. They took all of our oil and we want it back.” This statement has reverberated throughout the energy markets, fueling speculation and contributing to the upward momentum in prices.

Of course, President Trump is correct. Not only did the Hugo Chavez socialist revolution rob the Venezuelan people from any hope of any kind of economic future, he also violated international law by stealing US energy assets. It happened in 2007 when Hugo Chávez pulled off one of the boldest energy heists of the century right in Venezuela’s Orinoco Belt. With a wave of socialist bravado, Chavez ordered the government to seize control of prime oil projects run by American heavyweights ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.

The Venezuelan regime didn’t just take assets—they shredded contracts, grabbed production rights, and stiffed U.S. companies out of the billions they’d poured into the country. It was a seismic shake-up that sent shockwaves through the global oil patch and marked the beginning of Venezuela’s  massive downward spiral in the energy world.

How this drama plays out could drive up the cost of diesel fuel once again as heavy oil is in tight supply around the globe. Reuters said that Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA resumed loading crude and fuel cargoes on Wednesday after suspending operations at terminals on Sunday due to a cyberattack, although most exports remain on hold as the U.S. threatens to enforce a blockade on tankers under sanctions, according to three company sources, traders and shipping data.

Venezuela’s crude exports have fallen sharply from the more than 900,000 barrels per day it shipped in November since the U.S. seized a sanctioned vessel a week ago. Operators have kept loaded ships in Venezuelan waters for fear they would be seized if they set sail for China, the destination for most of Venezuela’s oil.

Following a temporary suspension caused by a cyberattack, Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA has resumed crude deliveries at its ports. However, despite this restart, most oil exports remain stalled due to the United States threatening to enforce a blockade on tankers subject to sanctions. In the midst of these restrictions, Chevron’s vessels have continued to load and depart for the U.S., and tankers carrying oil byproducts managed to set sail on Wednesday, illustrating the complex and tense environment surrounding Venezuelan oil exports.

U.S. oil exports continue to defy expectations, shattering records and reinforcing America’s energy dominance on the world stage. Just look at the numbers—weekly and monthly crude oil exports in 2025 have repeatedly approached or topped previous highs, with a standout week in September hitting 5.28 million barrels a day, a level we haven’t seen since December 2023. That’s on the heels of the annual record set in 2023 with an average of 4.1 million barrels per day. But it’s not just crude: total petroleum product exports, including gasoline and distillates, surged to record levels in 2024 and have remained robust in 2025, powered by booming domestic output that hit over 13.6 million barrels per day in July. These export figures—whether it’s 12,164, 11,192, or 11,960 thousand barrels per day—underscore a simple truth: America’s energy engine is running hotter than ever, and the world is taking notice. It’s another big milestone for U.S. energy exports as combined shipments of crude and refined products soared to a new weekly record. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions are flaring up, with Ukraine reportedly striking an offshore drilling platform at Lukoil’s Grayfer field in the Russian Caspian Sea, forcing a halt in production.

America’s natural gas story is nothing short of explosive—pun intended. LNG exports are on fire, notching record highs in 2025 and lighting up the world’s energy stage. September 2025 wasn’t just another month; it was the biggest for LNG exports ever since the EIA started keeping score back in 1997. We’re talking about a jaw-dropping 24.5% leap over last September, as U.S. LNG shipments soared to 15.1 billion cubic feet per day. It’s not just our ships making waves—pipeline exports to Mexico shattered expectations, hitting an all-time monthly record of 7.5 billion cubic feet per day in May. The EIA isn’t pulling any punches in its outlook either, projecting LNG exports to keep climbing, pushing toward the 15 Bcf/d mark for 2025, up from around 12 Bcf/d last year. Bottom line: America’s natural gas engine is running full throttle, fueling record production and putting the world on notice—energy dominance isn’t just about oil anymore. Call Phil Flynn at 888-264-5665 to get involved in this explosive market. Weather is key as natural gas is back above $4.00 so enjoy the warmup while you can.

Fox Weather is reporting that coast-to-coast storm to blast northwest with 70+ mph winds and heavy rain. A multifaceted coast-to-coast storm is beginning to move out of the Pacific Northwest and into the Northern Plains and the Rockies, packing powerful wind gusts of 50-70 mph. Gusts could even approach 80-90 mph. Driving and air travel conditions will deteriorate across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas as the day progresses. This storm will move into the Midwest by Thursday and eventually reach the East Coast on Friday.

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