Coffee and a Mike Doomberg #1285
6 snips
Jan 7, 2026 
Doomberg, an independent writer and analyst specializing in energy and geopolitics, discusses the volatile situation in Venezuela and its strategic oil importance. He shares insights on the potential for regime change in Iran and Cuba’s reliance on Venezuelan resources. The conversation dives into the complexities of energy production, debunking the peak oil myth and exploring sodium batteries' promise. Doomberg also addresses the chilling geopolitical implications of de-dollarization and escalating nuclear risks, all while recounting his unique analysis and publication process.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Venezuela Is A Political, Not Geological, Problem
- Venezuela holds one of the largest hydrocarbon accumulations on Earth, but political dysfunction has kept most of it offline.
- The key constraint on oil production is politics and capital, not geology.
Resource Grab Rewrites Geopolitical Rules
- Recent regime action signals a return to 'might is right' geopolitics and open assertion of resource-driven strategy.
- This approach reshapes alliances and raises the risk of similar actions by other powers.
Quick Production Gains Are Plausible
- Large swaths of Venezuela's old production could be brought back quickly by experienced operators and majors.
- Comparable resources in Canada show production can scale rapidly if institutions and capital return.
