In this article, we are going to discuss the energy stocks that are gaining this week.
The energy sector started off 2026 on a high, with the S&P Energy index jumping by as much as 2.7% on January 5. The surge came in response to the US strikes on Venezuela, which ended with the capture of Nicolas Maduro. President Trump has stated that the US will now take over Venezuela until a ‘safe, proper, and judicious transition’ can take place, paving the way for American oil companies to gain access to the largest oil reserves in the world.
However, reviving Venezuela’s crumbling oil infrastructure will require considerable time and tens of billions of dollars of investment, which is a tough decision to make for American oil majors while the market is already dealing with low prices and oversupply issues. That said, President Trump remains optimistic and stated that the US oil industry would be ‘up and running’ in Venezuela within 18 months, expecting huge investments to pour into the country.
Despite investor optimism around oil stocks, global crude oil prices have retraced lower since January 5. The WTI crude oil futures are currently hovering just above the $56 per barrel mark, only slightly above the 4-year low they touched last month, as traders assess the potential impact of Venezuelan crude, further adding to the global supply glut.
Our Methodology
To collect data for this article, we used several stock screeners to identify energy stocks that surged the most between December 30, 2025, and January 6, 2026. The following are the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week. These stocks are ranked according to their share price surge during this period.
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10. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)
Share Price Gains Between Dec. 30 – Jan. 6: 8.13%
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is the world’s premier independent petroleum refiner and a leading producer of low-carbon transportation fuels.
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) received a boost following the US blitz in Venezuela, which ended with the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro. President Trump has said that the United States would take control of the South American nation for now, giving American companies open access to the largest oil reserves in the world. The news is of special significance to US Gulf Coast refiners like Valero, as their refineries are historically designed to process heavier crudes like that coming from Venezuela and have had to replace Venezuelan oil since 2019 with higher imports from Canada or the Arabian Gulf.
As the largest Gulf Coast refiner, Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) stands to benefit the most if the sanctions on Venezuelan oil are lifted. The company already buys Venezuelan crude from Chevron and can process an incremental 300,000 to 400,000 bpd, according to Barclays analyst Theresa Chen.
9. Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS)
Share Price Gains Between Dec. 30 – Jan. 6: 9.89%
Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) is a leading deepwater exploration and production company focused on meeting the world’s growing demand for energy.
Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) shot up when the company provided an operational and financial update on its recent business activities on January 5, highlighting significant progress in its West African assets. The company revealed that it has successfully drilled and completed its second producer well (J-74) in the Jubilee field in Ghana. J-74, which should come online shortly, is expected to produce over 10,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), taking Jubilee’s total output to nearly 70,000 bopd.
In another positive development, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) reported that in late December, it received approval from the Ghanaian government for license extensions for its West Cape Three Points and Deep Water Tano Petroleum Agreements. The agreements, which have been submitted to the parliament for formal ratification, will now be extended to 2040.
Additionally, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) reported that the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project in Mauritania and Senegal reached nameplate capacity of 2.7 million tons per annum (mtpa) in December 2025. The floating LNG vessel managed to achieve a peak production rate of about 3 mtpa, and as a result, the partnership now expects cargo liftings to nearly double this year.
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