If you are looking for a dividend-paying energy stock to add to your portfolio in 2026, you can go in two broad directions. You can focus on an energy company with material exposure to oil and gas prices, like Chevron (NYSE: CVX), or you can try to avoid commodity risk by buying a midstream business like Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD). Here's how to decide. Enterprise wins on yield Enterprise Products Partners has an impressive 6.2% yield, backed by 27 consecutive annual distribution increases ...

Core Insights - Chevron experienced a transformational year in 2022, achieving record production levels and completing the acquisition of Hess, which contributed to a 35% increase in adjusted free cash flow despite a 15% decline in oil prices [1][2][5] - The company returned a record $27 billion to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases [1] Production and Growth - Chevron initiated several major growth projects, including Ballymore and Whale in the Gulf of Mexico, and completed its Future Growth Project in Kazakhstan [4] - The company expects to increase its output by 7% to 10% in 2023, building on a production level of 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the previous year [5] - Chevron aims to achieve $3 billion to $4 billion in structural cost savings by the end of 2023 [5] Free Cash Flow Expectations - The combination of increased production and reduced costs positions Chevron to reach a free cash flow inflection point in 2023, with the potential to generate an additional $12.5 billion in free cash flow at an average oil price of $70 per barrel [6] Market Catalysts - Chevron's strong execution sets the stage for robust production and free cash flow growth in 2026, particularly if oil prices exceed $70 [7] - Geopolitical tensions, such as those between the U.S. and Iran, could serve as catalysts for rising oil prices [7] Venezuela Operations - Chevron has significant operations in Venezuela and has increased production by over 200,000 barrels per day in recent years, with potential for a further 50% increase in the next 18 to 24 months [8] - Positive developments in Venezuela could enhance Chevron's stock price [8]

Core Insights - Several energy companies, including Valero and Phillips 66, have announced refinery closures in California due to regulatory challenges and operational losses [1][5][10] Refinery Closures - Valero Energy Corporation will close its Benicia refinery, which had a capacity of 170,000 barrels per day and employed over 400 people, and also evaluated its Wilmington refinery, which produced 15% of Southern California's asphalt supply [3][4] - Phillips 66 ended operations at its Los Angeles refineries, which spanned 650 acres and employed about 600 [5] - Chevron is relocating its headquarters from San Ramon to Houston, Texas, having operated in California since 1879 and employing over 2,000 people [6] Key Factors - Valero reported $1.1 billion in asset write-offs for its Benicia and Wilmington refineries in Q1 2025, while Chevron disclosed after-tax charges of $3.5 billion to $4 billion in Q4 2023, primarily due to asset impairments in California [8][9] - The regulatory environment in California has been cited as a significant factor for these closures, with policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel reliance over the past two decades [9][10] - California Assembly Bill AB X2-1, effective January 2025, allows the California Energy Commission to enforce minimum inventory levels for refiners, impacting profit margins [11][12] Potential Impact - The closure of Valero's Benicia refinery, which produced 4.5 to 4.7 million gallons of gasoline per day, could lead to fuel shortages and price spikes, especially if supply chains are disrupted [14][16] - California has the second-highest average gas prices in the U.S., with gasoline averaging $4.38 per gallon as of January 2025 [18] - Concerns have been raised about the impact of refinery closures on U.S. military installations in California, which may face jet fuel supply challenges [20][21] Legislative and Regulatory Considerations - Calls for legislative changes to support refiners and address the restrictive policies in California have been made, although success is uncertain [23]

The Trump administration touted the new licensing on Feb. 3 of the Texas GulfLink project—a crude oil-exporting terminal proposed in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, about 30 miles offshore of Texas—claiming the country is restoring its “maritime dominance” and unleashing a new “golden age of American energy.”But one key voice was missing from the celebration: Texas GulfLink’s developer. Dallas-based Sentinel Midstream declined to comment on the administration’s announcement, and didn’t issue any press release ...

中化新网讯 近日，雪佛龙公司与卡塔尔UCC控股公司及叙利亚国家石油公司签署谅解备忘录，将对叙 利亚地中海海域的油气资源进行联合勘探。该区域地处富含天然气的东地中海黎凡特盆地，邻近以色列 与埃及的大型气田。 此次合作将聚焦技术评估与前期勘探，具体实施进度将取决于后续技术论证与商业条款的落实。国际能 源企业参与叙利亚海上勘探，反映出对该区域资源潜力的持续关注。 叙利亚目前主要石油产量来自东北部陆上油田，但海上区块具有显著勘探潜力。历史上，俄罗斯企业曾 于2013年在该区域获得勘探合同，但因安全风险于2015年中止作业。此次新协议的推进，标志着叙利亚 在恢复其能源勘探活动方面取得进展。 ...

BSR深化国际合作的背景是其强劲的财务表现。2025年，受益于炼油利润与运营效率提升，公司实现净 收入141.58万亿越南盾，同比增长约15%;净利润更是激增近九倍，达到5.19万亿越南盾。 中化新网讯 近日，越南平山炼油和石化股份有限公司(BSR)与美国雪佛龙、马奎斯能源及ADM亚太贸 易公司签署了多份合作备忘录，旨在加强越南的原油供应安全并探索生物燃料领域合作。 此次在华盛顿签署的协议聚焦两个方面：一是确保越南榕桔炼油厂获得稳定的原油供应;二是研究潜在 进口生物乙醇及玉米原料，以支持越南国内的生物燃料生产。此举正值美越推进双边贸易框架谈判之 际，能源合作被确立为强化越南能源安全、扩大贸易及减少贸易逆差的关键支柱。雪佛龙公司表示， BSR是其东南亚地区的重要伙伴，并重申了保障榕桔炼油厂稳定运营的供油承诺。 ...

The giant Chevron-led Tengiz field in Kazakhstan has recovered to around 60% of peak production and aims to reach full output by February 23, two industry sources told Reuters on Monday. ...

Core Insights - The global synthetic ester lubricants for the telecommunications market is projected to grow from USD 87.37 million in 2025 to USD 170.31 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 6.96% from 2026 to 2035 [1] - The U.S. market is expected to increase from USD 17.82 million in 2025 to USD 33.54 million by 2035, with a CAGR of 6.58% during the forecast period [3] Market Drivers - Rapid expansion of 5G networks and increased deployment of telecom towers and base stations are key factors driving market growth [5] - The demand for high-performance lubricants that ensure reliable thermal management in high-density equipment is rising due to the growth of data centers and telecom infrastructure [4][5] Product Type Analysis - Diester lubricants held a market share of 34.53% in 2025, attributed to their thermal stability and compatibility with telecom equipment [6] - Complex ester lubricants are anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.62% from 2026 to 2035, driven by the need for higher-temperature operations and improved oxidative stability [7] Application Segmentation - Cooling systems and thermal management accounted for 36.12% of the market in 2025, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.30% from 2026 to 2035 due to increasing heat loads from dense network equipment [8] Equipment Type Insights - Telecom towers and base transceiver stations (BTS) represented 34.23% of the market in 2025, driven by the expansion of mobile network coverage [9] - Data centers and network switching equipment are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.32% from 2026 to 2035, reflecting the shift towards cloud computing and high-speed data traffic [9] End-User Analysis - Telecom network operators dominated the market with a share of 37.24% in 2025, responsible for maintaining extensive networks [10] - Data center operators are expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.37% from 2026 to 2035, driven by global digital transformation [10] Regional Insights - Asia Pacific led the market with a 38.46% share in 2025, fueled by rapid telecom infrastructure expansion in countries like China and India [11] - North America accounted for 26.24% of the market in 2025, benefiting from the deployment of 5G networks and the expansion of data centers [12] Key Players - Major companies in the market include Exxon Mobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell plc, TotalEnergies SE, and Chevron Corporation among others [13] Recent Developments - ExxonMobil expanded its production capacity for synthetic lubricants in September 2025 to meet demand in Asia Pacific [14] - Shell launched a specialized cooling solution for data centers in June 2025 [14]

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the 12 Best Oil and Gas Stocks to Buy Right Now. On February 2, HSBC raised its price target on Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) from $169 to $180 but downgraded its rating from Buy to Hold. According to the research note, this update comes despite the research firm’s continued positive view of the company’s mix of cash flow growth and financial discipline. HSBC analyst Kim Fustier pointed to Chevron Corporation’s (NYSE:CVX) year-to-date gains in share price as the ...

Core Insights - Chevron is the only major U.S. energy company operating in Venezuela, which has faced significant challenges due to sanctions and a declining energy sector [1] - The U.S. government's approach to Venezuela is likely to be economically driven, with control over oil sales and buyers [2] - Despite Venezuela's large oil reserves, its oil industry is weak and not as influential globally, leading to a modest impact on the energy sector overall [4] Company-Specific Insights - Chevron's current market capitalization is $364 billion, with a current stock price of $181.07 and a dividend yield of 3.78% [5][6] - The company has the potential to increase its production in Venezuela by up to 50% over the next two years, which is a key metric for investors to monitor [7] - While Chevron's operations in Venezuela are not the primary focus of its business, the company has an incentive to support the country's energy sector revival [6][8] Industry Context - The political developments in Venezuela are noteworthy but not the most critical aspect of Chevron's overall business strategy, as the company is diversified across various markets [8] - A recovery in Venezuela's energy sector alone may not be sufficient to counteract the volatility of global oil prices, indicating that investors should consider broader market conditions [9]