TotalEnergies and KKR have agreed to add 700 MW of solar capacity to their 50:50 joint venture, expanding total capacity from 1.4 GW to 2.1 GW. The $1.2 billion portfolio includes three utility-scale solar projects in Texas and Ohio expected to begin operations by Q1 2027, supporting TotalEnergies' goal of achieving over 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030.

SLB N.V. has won a 15-year contract with TotalEnergies to deploy its DrillPlan well planning and engineering solutions across TotalEnergies' global upstream operations. The agreement strengthens SLB's digital technology portfolio and long-term customer relationships, though financial terms remain undisclosed. The deal reflects growing industry adoption of digital platforms to improve operational efficiency in drilling activities.

SLB has expanded its Arena digital subsurface collaboration platform by adding Chevron as the second global operator alongside TotalEnergies. Chevron will contribute investment, intellectual property, and expertise in uncertainty analysis and field planning. The expansion strengthens SLB's shift toward higher-value digital solutions and AI-enabled workflows, demonstrating industry demand for data-driven reservoir analysis and faster field-development decisions.

Northern Lights, a joint venture of Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, has signed an agreement with Swedish waste-to-energy company Oresundskraft to transport and store up to 200,000 metric tons of CO2 annually in a reservoir beneath the North Sea. The service is expected to begin in Q4 2029, bringing Northern Lights' total customer base to seven industrial customers across four countries.

Chevron Corporation is expanding its use of robotics and remotely operated tools across field operations to improve safety and efficiency. Since 2024, robotic tank inspections have saved over $25 million and 43,000 work hours, while robotic cleaning generated $6 million in savings and reduced 28,000 hours. Overall, Chevron's robotics initiatives have delivered over $92 million in savings and eliminated more than 143,000 at-risk hours. Competitors Shell and TotalEnergies are also deploying similar autonomous systems for inspections and monitoring.

International energy companies are increasing investments in Venezuela's oil and gas sector, with major agreements announced by Chevron ($7B+ investment), Eni (Junín-5 operator with 35B barrel field), TotalEnergies (MOU for cooperation), and Halliburton (oilfield services MOUs). These developments signal renewed focus on Venezuela's massive hydrocarbon resources amid global supply uncertainty.

Cenovus Energy (CVE) is significantly outperforming its Oils-Energy peers with an 83.8% year-to-date gain compared to the sector average of 29%. The company holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating, with analyst consensus estimates for full-year earnings improving 18.1% in the past quarter. TotalEnergies SE (TTE) is also highlighted as an outperformer with a 38.1% year-to-date gain and Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

The Powder & Bulk Solids Texas Conference will convene September 15-16, 2026, in Houston, addressing critical industry challenges including AI integration, sustainable battery recycling, and circular economy solutions. The event features technical tracks and sessions on lithium-ion battery recycling, plastics circular economy, and engineering ethics, targeting professionals from major petrochemical operators in Texas's Golden Triangle.

FNDF, a $26.45 billion smart beta ETF managed by Charles Schwab, tracks the Russell RAFI Developed ex US Large Co. Index with a low 0.25% expense ratio. The fund has delivered strong performance with 25.21% YTD returns and 37.87% one-year returns as of September 2026, offering medium risk exposure with 904 holdings. The article presents FNDF as a reasonable option for investors seeking international large-value exposure, while noting alternative dividend-focused ETFs like IDV and VYMI as comparable choices.

Major energy companies including BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve reliability. These companies are using AI for real-time asset monitoring, drilling automation, predictive maintenance, and drone inspections. Investors should focus on tangible results such as reduced downtime and lower operating costs rather than AI announcements alone.

The U.S. resumed military strikes on Iran over the weekend, causing oil prices to jump 2% above $90/barrel. While higher oil prices typically boost oil majors' stock prices, Shell has underperformed peers due to its damaged Pearl GTL plant in Qatar. The stock price boost from oil price increases has historically been temporary, with the S&P 500 outperforming all oil majors since the conflict began.

Oil majors Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron are facing accusations of price gouging from politicians amid elevated energy prices and strong profits. However, the article argues these companies don't control oil prices—the market does. Oil and gasoline are commodities, and energy companies' profits naturally rise and fall with market prices. The article recommends investing in integrated energy majors for portfolio diversification and attractive dividend yields.