Amid regional conflict, the Strait of Hormuz remains critical oil chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The strait is deep enough and wide enough to handle the world's largest crude oil tankers, and it is one of the world's most important oil chokepoints. Large volumes of oil flow through the strait, and very few alternative options exist to move oil out of the strait if it is closed. In 2024, oil flow through the strait averaged 20 million barrels per day (b/d), or the equivalent of about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. In
EIA forecasts world oil consumption growth to slow amid less economic activity
We forecast consumption growth of crude oil and other liquid fuels will slow over the next two years, driven by a slowdown in economic growth, particularly in Asia, in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).
U.S. propane consumption reached an 18-year record in January amid cold snap
U.S. propane consumption reached 1.48 million barrels per day (b/d) in January 2025, the most January consumption on record since January 2005 and the most for any month since February 2007, as severe cold drove up heating demand across much of the country.
EIA forecasts lower oil price in 2025 amid significant market uncertainties
We forecast benchmark Brent crude oil prices will fall from an average of $81 per barrel (b) in 2024 to $74/b in 2025 and $66/b in 2026, as strong global growth in production of petroleum and other liquids and slower demand growth put downward pressure on prices and help offset heightened geopolitical risks and voluntary production restraint from OPEC+ members. This forecast was completed before the United States issued additional sanctions targeting Russia's oil sector on January 10, which have the potential to reduce Russia's oil exports to the global market.
Perspective: California’s Coastal Challenges Amid Climate Change
Maintaining coastal sustainability will require a unified, whole-of-society response. The report calls on research institutions, urban planners, policy makers, and community organizations to come together to address threats like habitat loss, saltwater intrusion, and risks to infrastructure. The authors hope to foster collaboration on innovative policies for coastal development, conservation strategies, and risk management. To ensure California’s coastal zones remain viable, the report encourages community-level action and policy reforms that address these challenges head-on. This includes expanding research into how ecosystems respond to stressors, identifying sustainable land-use practices, and implementing protective measures that build climate resilience. Although the challenges may