Sponsored by NavVis – Laser Scanning Solutions & Digital Twin Technology

BP shares fall after board removes chairman Albert Manifold over ‘serious’ conduct concerns
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/26/bp-chair-albert-manifold-removed-conduct-governance-issues.html

Oil prices dip amid reports of tentative US-Iran deal
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/oil-prices-dip-amid-reports-of-tentative-us-iran-deal/ar-AA24iVeH?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6a18bd57d3d2498eaab1271297c9c482&ei=28

Brazil sets clock for next two oil and gas bid rounds
https://www.upstreamonline.com/exploration/brazil-sets-clock-for-next-two-oil-and-gas-bid-rounds/2-1-1994001

ExxonMobil close to deal to return to Venezuela: report
https://www.upstreamonline.com/field-development/exxonmobil-close-to-deal-to-return-to-venezuela-report/2-1-1993394

US oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico and Texas raises more than $4bn
https://www.offshore-technology.com/news/us-oil-and-gas-lease-sale-mexico-texas/

LNG exports vs. data centers: The fight for Gulf Coast natural gas is here
https://www.bicmagazine.com/industry/natgas-lng/lng-exports-data-centers-natural-gas/

The biggest obstacle to the refinery of the future is a mindset shift
https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2026/05/digital-exclusive-the-biggest-obstacle-to-the-refinery-of-the-future-is-a-mindset-shift/

UAE to accelerate oil pipeline project to bypass Strait of Hormuz
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/15/uae-to-accelerate-oil-pipeline-project-to-bypass-hormuz

ADNOC deploys heavy-duty inspector robot for hazardous environments
https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2026/05/adnoc-deploys-heavy-duty-inspector-robot-for-hazardous-environments/

Chevron introduces next-gen Techron in U.S. Chevron and Texaco gasolines
https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2026/05/chevron-introduces-next-gen-techron-in-us-chevron-and-texaco-gasolines/

Phillips 66 greenlights new gas plant and fractionator projects, advancing integrated wellhead-to-market strategy
https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2026/05/phillips-66-greenlights-new-gas-plant-and-fractionator-projects-advancing-integrated-wellhead-to-market-strategy/

Navigating the new energy landscape: Technology, talent and demand
https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2026/april-2026/trends-and-resources/executive-viewpoint-navigating-the-new-energy-landscape-technology-talent-and-demand/

Diamondback Energy and syGlass Join Forces to Ignite STEM Education in Midland, Texas
https://www.syglass.io/blog/diamondback-energy-and-syglass-join-forces-to-ignite-stem-education-in-midland-texas

★★★★☆
Commander-in-Chief
Mark and Paige,
I’m a long-time listener and occasional commenter. I’ve learned a great deal from you about how the industry actually operates as a business, rather than through politics.
I’m writing in response to Episode 400 and your discussion of the recent review. While I agree that the President is Commander-in-Chief, the founding fathers intentionally built checks and balances into our system so that no single person could unilaterally take the country to war. Iraq, Korea, and Vietnam all had various forms of Congressional approval or authorization.
Regarding President Trump, you mentioned The Art of the Deal and said there’s a strategy behind everything he does. I read the book years ago when I started my own entrepreneurial journey. While it has some entertaining stories, I didn’t find it particularly insightful from a business standpoint. Trump highlighted deals like the USFL (a league competing with the NFL) and his Atlantic City casinos—both of which ultimately failed and led to bankruptcy.
Americans elected President Trump for an “America First” agenda: no new wars, and addressing the affordability crisis at home. Unfortunately, the war in Iran appears to be a war of choice. It is proving very costly to Americans, and the administration has not secured any meaningful political concessions from Iran despite numerous declarations of victory. It feels uncomfortably similar to the Iraq situation and the WMD narrative all over again.
-Joseph Brody

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