Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTOil & Gas 360Fri, July 31, 2026 at 11:25 PM GMT+2 4 min read(By Oil & Gas 360) – This week highlighted the growing gap between short-term market volatility and long-term industry investment. Oil prices whipsawed on renewed U.S.–Iran tensions before retreating as military action paused, while natural gas markets softened on record production. Yet behind the daily price swings, companies continued committing billions of dollars to LNG, pipelines, upstream developments, and natural gas marketing. The message from industry leaders was clear: the long-term outlook for energy demand remains intact.360 Energy Pulse: What mattered this week in energy- oil and gas 360THIS WEEK'S 5 HEADLINES THAT MATTERED1. Oil markets remain driven by geopolitics, not fundamentalsCrude prices surged as much as 7% after President Trump threatened renewed military action against Iran and fresh U.S. strikes raised concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the week, prices settled at their lowest level in more than a week after Washington paused attacks, even as Gulf oil exports continued struggling to recover and shipping disruptions lingered.Why it matters:Oil markets continue responding more to geopolitical developments than supply-and-demand fundamentals. Until stability returns to the Gulf, every diplomatic or military development has the potential to move prices sharply.2. LNG and natural gas remain at the center of global energy strategyExpand Energy agreed to acquire Twin Eagle for $1.25 billion, strengthening its natural gas marketing business. Germany's Uniper finalized a 20-year LNG purchase agreement with Canada, PetroChina considered selling part of its LNG Canada stake to help fund Phase 2, and Eni and TotalEnergies reached a final investment decision on the Cronos gas development offshore Cyprus.Why it matters:While natural gas prices softened in the short term due to record U.S. production, companies continue investing aggressively across the LNG value chain, reinforcing expectations for sustained global gas demand.3. Capital continues flowing toward resilient energy infrastructurebp expanded production through the startup of its Atlantis project in the U.S. Gulf and added Türkiye's TPAO to the Kirkuk redevelopment partnership in Iraq. Enbridge reported strong quarterly earnings, while Shell and Phillips 66 explored a potential sale of stakes in the Explorer pipeline. Baker Hughes forecast a modest decline in global upstream spending, but overall investment activity remained focused on strategic, long-life assets.Why it matters:Companies are becoming increasingly disciplined with capital allocation, prioritizing projects that strengthen supply reliability and generate durable cash flow.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info