Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTReuben Gregg Brewer, The Motley FoolSun, August 2, 2026 at 5:35 PM GMT+2 5 min readThe geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has cycled through peace talks and renewed conflict. It appears there won't be an easy solution, which isn't exactly shocking. However, the conflict has material implications for the world, given the importance of energy to the global economy. Here are three oil predictions for the second half of 2026 that may help you weather the turmoil a bit more easily.1. Oil prices are going to be a rollercoaster rideOil and natural gas prices are particularly volatile right now. Swinging higher and lower on news from the Middle East. But the news about the conflict is actually overpowering news about the fundamentals of the energy sector. In fact, companies like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and Shell (NYSE: SHEL) have warned that oil prices are likely to remain high even after the conflict ends.Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »Image source: Getty Images.The near-term story that Exxon and Chevron have been discussing is about supply and demand. First, it will take time to restore supply to pre-conflict levels. Second, oil stockpiles have been drawn down so deeply that it will take time to replenish them. Both hint that supply and demand will take a while to balance out again.Shell's warning is longer-term. Oil and natural gas demand continue to increase due to a growing global population and economic growth in developing nations. But oil and natural gas are depleting assets, so as these vital energy commodities are extracted, there is less to extract in the future. Once again, there's a supply and-demand imbalance that will likely keep prices high.The big takeaway here is that the conflict is grabbing headlines, but there's more going on beneath the surface that will drive volatility in the energy sector over the next few months and beyond.2. You should forget about oil pricesFor many investors, the biggest surprise in the second half of 2026 may be that you don't have to worry about energy prices. That's because you can buy North American midstream businesses like Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB). These companies help to move oil and natural gas, collecting fees for the use of their energy infrastructure assets, such as pipelines.The price of oil and natural gas is less important than the demand for those commodities. The conflict has shown that demand for these fuels remains robust. And since North America is a fiscally and geographically stable region, the conflict may even lead countries worried about energy security to shift their buying habits. That could mean even more demand to support the businesses of Enterprise and Enbridge.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info