Energy news for October 19, 2026
October 19, 2026 · 8 stories
8 stories from across policy and power. The day led with Vår Energi and Equinor find gas and condensate at Lakris on the Halten Terrace.
Upstream
Vår Energi and Equinor find gas and condensate at Lakris on the Halten Terrace
Preliminary estimates put the Lakris discovery at 1.3 to 5.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, and the well will be plugged and abandoned.
Policy
DOE offers up to $4.2 billion conditional loan for Vistra nuclear uprates
The Energy Department's financing office would back uprates and modernization at three Vistra plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio, adding 433 MW.
Power
SSE's first Italian wind farm starts exporting power under Microsoft deal
The 17.3 MW Castel Favorito and Masseria la Cattiva project in Puglia is SSE's first operating renewable asset in Italy and now supplies Microsoft under a 2024 PPA.
Policy
DOE commits up to $42 million in Defense Production Act funds to Constitution Pipeline
The Energy Department will put Defense Production Act Title III money toward pre-construction and permitting for a 125-mile gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York.
Power
Data center cooling tower market forecast to reach $2.44 billion by 2035
DC Market Insights projects 8.06% annual growth from $1.12 billion in 2025, with hybrid and adiabatic coolers growing fastest as water rules tighten.
Policy
FERC environmental review finds no significant impact from Kinder Morgan's $112 million Texas Access pipeline
The comment period has closed on FERC's environmental assessment of a 3-mile, 48-inch gas line linking Southeast Texas to Southwest Louisiana.
Upstream
Vår Energi and Equinor find gas and condensate at Lakris in the Norwegian Sea
The Lakris wildcat on the Halten Terrace holds an estimated 1.3 to 5.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, and the well will be plugged and abandoned.
Markets
Fish and Wildlife Service finalizes 5-year polar bear and walrus take rules for Beaufort Sea oil and gas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued final regulations for incidental take of polar bears and Pacific walruses, effective October 19, 2026 through October 19, 2031.
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