Energy news for July 17, 2026
July 17, 2026 · 13 stories
13 stories from across power and markets. The day led with Tailwater-backed Pickton reaches FID on 35 Bcf Texas gas storage hub.
Power
Tailwater-backed Pickton reaches FID on 35 Bcf Texas gas storage hub
Tailwater Capital is investing in Pickton Gas Storage, which reached final investment decision on a 35 Bcf storage field and hub in Paris, Texas.
Power
Constellation's venture arm makes first U.S. SMR investment, backs Blue Energy
Constellation Technology Ventures takes an equity stake in Blue Energy, its first bet on a U.S. small modular reactor developer.
Policy
BLM opens comment period on seven forfeited Wyoming oil and gas leases
The agency is weighing whether to put 2,508 acres of previously forfeited leases up for a January 2027 sale.
Power
EnBW secures 300 MW of Zelestra's Italian battery storage project
EnBW will offtake 300 MW of Zelestra's roughly 500 MW battery project in Emilia-Romagna, fully securing the 2 GWh plant ahead of 2027 construction.
Markets
Ofgem grants NESO licence derogations ahead of 2028 network plan deadline
Ofgem approved licence exemptions letting NESO skip four planning reports while it builds one long-term network plan due by December 2028.
Markets
U.S. rig count rises to 588 as Permian gains three rigs
The Permian added three rigs and Canada dropped 19 as the U.S. rig count rose to 588 this week, according to Baker Hughes.
Policy
BLM seeks input on seven forfeited oil and gas leases in Wyoming
BLM opened a 30-day scoping period on seven forfeited oil and gas leases covering 2,508 acres in Wyoming, ahead of a proposed January 2027 sale.
Upstream
ReconAfrica flows natural gas to surface at Namibia's Kavango West 1X well
The uppermost of three tested zones in the Elandshoek formation flowed gas to surface, the first hydrocarbons produced onshore Namibia.
Markets
ConocoPhillips agrees to redevelop producing oil fields in Iraq
ConocoPhillips agreed to redevelop already-producing oil fields in Iraq, with the deal expected to close by the end of 2026.
Power
NANO Nuclear joins Virginia's nuclear energy consortium
NANO Nuclear Energy has joined Virginia's nuclear consortium, and CEO James Walker takes a board seat as the state turns to reactors for its data centers.
Upstream
Next Bridge Hydrocarbons sets July 22 date for dividend share credit
Transfer agent Equiniti will credit shareholders one new share for every 30 held on July 22, 2026, as Next Bridge addresses concerns over dividend crediting.
Power
Munters order intake jumps 137% as US ramp-up squeezes margins
The Swedish industrial group posted a 137% jump in second-quarter 2026 orders, but a US production ramp-up and tariffs cut into profit.
Upstream
ReconAfrica flows first hydrocarbons to surface onshore Namibia
Gas reached surface on three flow tests in the Elandshoek formation at Kavango West 1X, and testing now moves up to the Huttenberg's 76 net meters of pay.
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