China may require asset sales in the Rio Tinto-Glencore merge to win them over
The proposed tie-up of Rio?Tinto with Glencore may require asset sales in order to gain regulatory approval from China, the world's largest commodity buyer. China has long-standing concerns over resource security and market consolidation. Last week, the 'two mining giants' revealed that they are in early merger talks for the second year in a row. This could create the world’s largest mining company worth more than $200 billion. Analysts and lawyers say that the size of their sales in China will require approval from Beijing as has been done with past mining mega-deals…
Sources say that Repsol, Maurel & Prom are applying to the US for licenses to export Venezuelan crude oil.
Five industry sources have confirmed that several?European oil companies, including Spain's Repsol, France's Maurel & Prom and France's Repsol, have applied to the United States for licenses or authorizations in order to export Venezuelan oil. Two sources confirmed that the terms requested are similar to the ones Washington granted in the past, which allowed companies to import and export Venezuelan crude oil to their refineries, as well as to other customers. Fuel was also supplied to Venezuela via a debt recovery mechanism.
Sources say that the US will finalize biofuel quotas for 2026 by early March and drop import penalties.
According to two sources familiar with the plans, the administration of 'President Donald Trump' plans to finalize biofuel blending quotes for 2026 by early March. They will keep them close to their initial proposal, while dropping plans to penalize imported renewable fuels and feedstocks. The plan, if finalized, would represent a partial compromise among rival oil and agricultural industry groups. It would preserve the increased blending goals sought by biofuel producers and drop a proposal which U.S. refining companies had warned could disrupt fuel markets and increase costs. U.S.
Sources say that the US will finalize biofuel quotas for 2026 by early March and drop import penalties.
According to 'two sources who are familiar with these plans, the administration of Donald Trump intends to finalize biofuel blending targets for 2026 by early March. They will keep them close to their initial proposal, while dumping a plan that penalized imports of renewable feedstocks and fuels. The plan, if finalized by the administration of President Donald Trump, would represent a partial compromise among rival oil and agricultural industry groups. It would preserve increased blending targets that biofuel producers sought while dumping a proposal U.S.
Sources say that Chevron is expected to receive an expanded Venezuela license this week from the US.
Three oil industry sources said on Wednesday that Chevron would receive an expanded Venezuela license this week from the U.S. Government. This could allow increased production and exports from South America. Sources said that the U.S. oil company is expected to be among several firms who will receive approvals to do business with Venezuela from the Trump administration. This comes as oil companies, traders, and refiners seek access to Venezuela's heavy oil after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Canadian oil tycoon suggests US aid in Venezuela's oil revolution
The Canadian oil tycoon, who is the head of one of North America's fastest growing oil companies, wants his country to "lend" its heavy oil expertise to America as it tries to rebuild Venezuela's petroleum industry. Adam Waterous is the executive chairman of Strathcona Resource. He said that Canada's experience in extracting oil from sands crude makes it uniquely qualified to help Venezuela, which also produces heavy oil. STRATHCONA IS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICAL TEAMS President Donald Trump invited U.S. oil executives to the White House last week to discuss Venezuela.
Canadian oil tycoon suggests US aid in Venezuela's oil revolution
The Canadian tycoon, who is the executive chair of one of North America’s fastest-growing oil companies, wants his country to lend their heavy oil 'expertise' to the United States in order to help rebuild Venezuela's industry. Adam Waterous, executive chair of Strathcona, says Canada is uniquely qualified to help Venezuela because of its decades of experience in extracting heavy oil from oil sands. STRATHCONA IS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICAL TEAM Last week, President Donald Trump invited U.S. Oil executives to the White House for a discussion on Venezuela.
Gas prices in Europe reach 10-week high amid Iran tensions
Early trade on Europe's benchmark contract for gas reached a 10-week-high, continuing the bullish trend from?the last session amid forecasts of increased demand, short covering and geopolitical tensions regarding Iran. According to LSEG, the benchmark Dutch front-month 'contract' at the TTF hub increased by 0.80 euros to 31.27 Euro per Megawatt Hour (MWh) as of 0905 GMT. Earlier trades reached a contract price of 32.23 Euros, its highest since November 4, last year. The March contract was up 0.88 euros at 30.43 euro/MWh. The British gas day-ahead price rose 4.20 pence to 84.00 pence a therm.
Trump calls on US oil companies to fix Venezuela's rotting energy industry
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, began a meeting at the White House on Friday to discuss Venezuela. He said he wanted executives from some of the largest oil companies in the world to invest $100 billion to expand Venezuela's production. The meeting reflects Trump's importance for oil in his strategy towards the OPEC nation, after U.S. troops seized Nicolas Maduro as the leader of the South American nation during a brazen raid overnight on the capital on January 3. He said: "We will be making the decisions as to which oil firms are going to enter…
Trump meets with oil companies in Venezuela
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, began a meeting at the White House with executives of some of the largest oil companies in the world on Friday. He said that increasing crude production from Venezuela will benefit the United States. The meeting reflects Trump's importance for oil in his strategy towards the OPEC nation, after U.S. troops?seized South American leader Nicolas Maduro during a brazen raid overnight on the?capital of the country January 3. Officials in the Trump administration…
Trump's "drill baby, drill" agenda in Venezuela hurts producers at the home
Trump wants $50 oil but it's below the profit level of U.S. Venezuelan oil redirected to squeeze U.S. Venezuelan oil to benefit U.S. HOUSTON, January 9 - U.S. Oil Producers already struggling with low oil prices face renewed pressure as President Donald Trump presses them to increase output in Venezuela – a move which would weaken oil markets, reduce revenues and hurt the industry at home. Trump's policies, he claims, will unleash American energy while lowering prices at the pumps. This promise would benefit U.S. customers but would squeeze revenues from the oil industry.
Wall Street clamors to offer advice on Rio-Glencore and the $100 million prize
Wall Street advisors could earn more than $100,000,000 in fees if Rio Tinto acquires Glencore and creates the world's biggest mining company, worth more than 200 billion dollars. Three people familiar with the matter said that after Rio and Glencore announced on Thursday their intention to merge, they were now racing for a piece of the pie. Rio's representative, who has until the 5th of February to submit a formal bid for Glencore, or to walk away, under British takeover regulations, stated that it would disclose its advisers once a deal is finalized. Glencore declined comment.
TotalEnergies receives new exploration permit off the coast of Lebanon
TotalEnergies, a French oil company, said Friday that it had 'obtained approval from the government for a new permit to explore offshore Lebanon. Total, who owns 35% of the operating stake, will start 3D seismic surveys in Block 8? with partners Eni (35%), and QatarEnergy 30%. In late 2022 the French company began searching for?natural gases in Lebanon, after the landmark agreement between the government and Israel to establish a maritime border in the Mediterranean Sea. Initial exploration on an adjacent block proved disappointing. Block 8 is the first block to be explored.
US oil companies juggle Venezuelan opportunity and investor concerns ahead of White House Summit
U.S. Oil executives will weigh the business potential of Venezuela and the enthusiasm expressed by President Donald Trump against the cautious attitude expressed by their investors when they are summoned to meet at the White House this Friday to discuss possible investment plans. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Energy?conference held in Miami, Secretary of energy Chris Wright repeated Trump's claim that U.S. firms are prepared to invest billions of dollars into rebuilding?the South American country?s oil economy?after U.S. troops removed Nicolas Maduro?from power?on Saturday.
Mega-deals in mining that created global giants
The companies have confirmed that they are in the early stages of talks with each other to purchase Glencore. This could result in the creation of the world's biggest mining company, valued at nearly $207 billion. This move is a result of global'miners racing to scale up metals such as copper, which are seen as?critical for the energy transition. It has fueled a surge in expansions and takeovers. According to LSEG, Glencore's enterprise value is $99 billion. This would make it the largest deal ever in this sector. Here's a list of major mining deals.
Trump has announced that he will be meeting with Venezuelan Machado in the next few days
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, announced on Thursday that Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado would be visiting Washington next week. In an interview with Fox News' "Hannity", Trump was asked whether he planned to?meet? Machado after the U.S. attacks on Venezuela, which resulted in Maduro being captured. When contacted for more information about the meeting, The White House didn't immediately respond. Machado said earlier this week she had not spoken to Trump since October, when she received the Nobel Peace Prize. The future of South America's governance is still in question.
EEX Energy Exchange appoints the clearing house chief as its new CEO
Tobias Paulun, who is currently the head of clearing at the European Energy Exchange, will be its new CEO from August 1, EEX announced on Thursday. Paulun takes over Peter Reitz's position as EEX CEO after 15 years. Reitz will continue to serve on the boards of directors for EEX subsidiaries Nodal, and EPEX SPOT. The exchange announced that Paulun would step down as?CEO European Commodity Clearing's (ECC) clearing house on July 31, 2026. The EEX platform, part of Deutsche Boerse has grown to be the largest electricity derivatives marketplace in the world.
Eni and Repsol are fighting to recover $6 billion of gas payments that Venezuela owes them, reports FT
The Financial Times reported that European energy companies Eni and Repsol struggle to recover around $6 billion in gas payments from Venezuela, and are?facing an indifference by U.S. officials regarding the debt. Eni, Repsol and the U.S. Treasury didn't immediately respond to "request for a statement. Could not verify the report immediately. Eni, an Italian company, produces gas in Venezuela from the Perla offshore oil field, which is operated by a local company, Cardon IV, as a joint venture of 50-50 with Repsol.
Vistra buys Cogentrix Energy for $4.7 billion amid rising power demand
Utility Vistra announced on Monday that it has agreed to purchase Cogentrix Energy from Quantum Capital Group for $4.7 billion. The company is looking to meet the growing demand for power. The shares of the company increased by nearly 5% during extended trading. The Texas-based electricity company said that the deal included $2.3 billion cash, $900 millions in Vistra shares and $1.5 billion of debt. Tax benefits are expected to offset some of this amount. This deal follows Vistra’s $1.9 billion purchase of seven gas-fired power plants from Lotus Infrastructure Partners in May 2025.
Orban: US involvement in Venezuela is good for energy markets
The U.S. decision that led to the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should have a positive effect on the world's energy markets, said Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban on Monday. He added that both Venezuela and the U.S. would control half of all global oil reserves. Special Forces, the largest U.S. intervention since 1989's invasion of Panama in Latin America, swooped in on Caracas with helicopters over the weekend to apprehend Maduro and then take him to New York for a drug charge. Orban's ally Donald Trump of the United States, who exempted Hungary for 2026 from U.S.