Well, well, well—literally. Shell has announced plans to expand its oil production in the Gulf of Mexico with two new wells, and I can already hear the eco-activists howling in despair. For a moment, let’s set aside the hand-wringing over the end of the world and focus on what this actually means. At a time when everyone from Washington to Hollywood seems determined to lecture us about ditching fossil fuels, Shell’s move is a bold reminder of one simple truth: oil still runs the world.

You see, while politicians and elites push for green energy transitions that no one can afford, companies like Shell are keeping the lights on—literally and figuratively. These two new wells are part of the Silvertip field development in the Alaminos Canyon region, a project designed to boost production at Shell’s Perdido spar. That might not sound glamorous, but here’s the reality: without projects like these, your gas tank runs dry, and the economy grinds to a halt.

Of course, the usual suspects will claim this is a step backward. They’ll say it’s bad for the environment, that it undermines renewable energy, or that it’s just another example of corporate greed. But let’s not kid ourselves. Wind turbines and solar panels might make for great photo ops, but they’re not going to power your SUV or keep the factories humming. Fossil fuels are still the backbone of modern life, and Shell’s decision is proof that the market knows this—even if our leaders pretend not to.

What’s really interesting is the timing. This announcement comes as energy prices are stabilizing after months of volatility, driven by geopolitical chaos and bad policy decisions. Europe’s energy crisis has shown us what happens when you abandon reliable energy sources in favor of wishful thinking. The U.S., thankfully, hasn’t gone that far—yet. But if the green lobby had its way, companies like Shell wouldn’t be drilling new wells; they’d be shutting them down.

And let’s talk about who benefits from this expansion. It’s not just Shell’s shareholders, although they’ll certainly be pleased. It’s the workers who will build and operate these wells, the communities that will see an economic boost, and, yes, the consumers who will enjoy more stable energy prices. This isn’t about corporate greed; it’s about providing the resources that make modern life possible. And last time I checked, affordable energy wasn’t a partisan issue.

The irony, of course, is that even the most vocal critics of fossil fuels rely on them every day. The activists protesting outside Shell’s offices drove there in gas-powered cars. The politicians decrying oil production are flying to climate conferences on private jets. And the tech billionaires funding the green movement are building servers that run on electricity generated by—you guessed it—fossil fuels. The hypocrisy is almost as endless as the oil beneath the Gulf of Mexico.

Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t explore alternative energy sources. But let’s be realistic. Renewables aren’t ready to replace fossil fuels, and pretending otherwise only sets us up for failure. Shell’s decision isn’t just a win for the company; it’s a win for common sense. It’s a reminder that while we all want a cleaner planet, we also want to keep our economy strong, our homes warm, and our cars on the road.

So, let’s give credit where it’s due. In a world obsessed with virtue signaling, Shell is doing what needs to be done. They’re investing in the infrastructure that keeps America moving, even as others try to dismantle it. And whether you love or hate the oil industry, one thing is clear: without it, we’d all be a lot worse off.

The truth is, energy policy isn’t just about the environment; it’s about survival. And while the dreamers dream, the doers drill. So, here’s to Shell and its two new wells—because sometimes, doing the right thing isn’t about making headlines. It’s about keeping the wheels turning, one barrel at a time.