Mercuria profits fall as the company expands into metals and LNG
Mercuria's?chief finance officer? told a reporter on Friday that the trading house had posted a 6% drop in profit for 2025, despite expanding its metals and physical LNG businesses, as well as its shipping business, from Latin America into Central Asia. Trading?houses' profits fell from the record highs in 2022-2023 when energy prices rose due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Merchants reinvested profits in business expansion, equity and dividends while paying record amounts. Guillaume Vermersch…
GKN's cancellation of plans for a magnet factory is a setback to Europe's goal for rare earths
GKN Powder Metallurgy scrapped plans to manufacture rare earth permanent'magnets' in Europe. Three sources familiar with the matter confirmed this, highlighting Europe’s struggle to create a domestic rare Earths?industry that can compete with China, the dominant producer. China controls 90% of the rare earth output processed and 70% of the mining production. Europe is being criticized for falling behind the U.S. when it comes to offering financial support to projects that develop its own supply.
Shares of UK power company Drax hit a 20-year high after beating profit expectations
The British power company Drax surpassed annual profit expectations on Thursday and increased its dividend, thanks to strong pellet production in North America, and record renewable generation. Shares of the company rose to near a two-decade high, as a result. In recent years, Drax has enjoyed a rise in wholesale power prices. This was especially true after the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The company forecast core earnings for 2026 in line with market expectations and raised its dividend by 11.5%, to 29 pence a share.
Saipem is poised to return to Venezuela following the easing of U.S. sanctions
Alessandro Puliti, the chief executive of Italian oil contractor Saipem, said that it is prepared to resume operations in Venezuela after the lifting of U.S. sanction - as they expect demand from "oil majors" later this year. "Things are changing in Venezuela very quickly." We have worked in Venezuela in the past and are prepared to return as soon a client requests it," Puliti stated in a call following results. Puliti stated that contracts could be awarded by both U.S. and international oil companies. These groups are currently assessing?the situation?and developing plans for Latin America.
Iberdrola's earnings are higher after the network business boosts results for 2025
Iberdrola, Europe's largest utility, expects its business of building and updating?power?networks in Britain and America to boost earnings this year, after it drove a 10% increase in 2025 adjusted Net Profit. The Spanish company will benefit from its strategic shift to the more regulated business of power grids and plans to spend over 100 billion Euros through 2031 in order to build on that. The company stated that results are progressing ahead of schedule. The company now targets an adjusted net profit of more than 6.6 billion euro ($7.8billion) this year, and more than 7 billion euro by 2028.
The recurring profit of EDPR, a renewable energy company, will jump 50% in 2025 due to US growth
EDP Renovaveis is the fourth largest?wind energy producer in the world. On Wednesday, it announced that recurring net profit would rise 50% by 2025. This was due to a strong U.S. expansion of capacity, despite lower capital gains. It also projected a?increase? in EBITDA for this year. Analysts polled by LSEG had predicted a net profit of 307 millions euros for the renewables division of Portugal's EDP. The company's EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) increased by 17% on an annual basis to approximately 1.95 billion euro.
The US AI boom is facing an electric shock
The race for artificial intelligence dominance by Big Tech may hit a snag soon as U.S. power grids struggle to keep up with hyperscalers who spend a lot of money. Microsoft, Amazon Alphabet, and Meta are among the technology giants in America that have announced in recent months plans to spend over $600 billion in AI by 2026. Investors are already unsure about the viability of this strategy due to the investment wave. The ambitious U.S. AI plans will be hampered by power-infrastructure bottlenecks such as turbine shortages, slow 'grid expansion, and regulatory red tape.
US producer Continental claims that the shale resource in Argentina could be "another Permian".
Continental Resources CEO Doug Lawler stated on Tuesday that Argentina's shale resource might be similar to the size of the Permian Basin in the United States. Lawler, a U.S. oil company, said that the oil production potential in Argentina could be as high as 1.5 to 2 million barrels a day within the next few years. Continental increased its stake in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale basin last month by purchasing a non-operating share in four blocks. Lawler stated that Argentina must invest in its oil infrastructure, reforms and tax incentives to encourage investment.
Enel to invest $63 billion by 2028, with a focus on Europe and the US
Enel, the Italian energy?utility, plans to increase its capital expenditures over the next three years. It will also shift its focus towards renewables in Europe and America. In a press release, the state-controlled 'group' said it would invest about 63?billion dollars (53?billion euro) between 2026-2028, with half going to grids and 38% to renewables. Enel's previous three-year plan had planned capital expenditures of 43 billion Euros, with 60% of that amount dedicated to grids, and the remaining?28% for green energy projects.
Trump EPA will weaken the rule limiting harmful air toxins and mercury from coal plants
The Trump administration announced Friday that it would roll back clean air regulations that limit mercury and hazardous toxic pollutants from power plants. Public health groups warned it would harm America's most disadvantaged. The Environmental Protection Agency of President Donald Trump has stated that easing pollution standards would?alleviate the costs for utilities who run older coal-fired plants, at a moment when the demand for electricity is on the rise due to the expansion data centers for artificial intelligence.
Trump EPA will weaken the rule limiting harmful air toxics and mercury from coal plants
The Trump administration announced Friday that it would roll back air regulations for power plant?limiting mercury, and hazardous air toxin at an?event? in Kentucky. It says this will boost baseload electricity but public health groups claim it will harm the health of America's most vulnerable populations. The EPA of President Donald Trump has stated that lowering the pollution standards for older coal plants will reduce costs for utilities who run them at a moment when the demand for electricity is soaring due to the expansion?data centres used for artificial intelligent.
NYT: Trump's ally Novatek signs deal with Russia on natural gas in Alaska
The New York Times reported that American financier 'Gentry Beach', who is a close friend of Donald Trump's family, had signed an agreement last fall with Russia's Novatek to develop natural gas for Alaska during the Western sanctions against Russia. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Alaska in August to end Russia's war against Ukraine. On the sidelines of negotiations, U.S. officials and Russian officials discussed a number of?potential deals in energy. According to sources familiar with the discussions…
Exxon will determine the size of the natural gas reserves in Guyana's Stabroek Block.
Guyana’s energy minister stated that Exxon Mobil continues to work on determining the size of natural resources in Guyana’s?prolific Stabroek Block as the company pursues wider development of the resource. Previous statements by the U.S. oil giant, who leads the consortium operating the Stabroek Oilfield, have stated that ongoing efforts are being made to better understand the mixture of crude oil, associated gas and non-associated gases. It is crucial to estimate the potential of gas projects for both the domestic and export markets.
Cenovus, a Canadian company, beats its fourth-quarter profit expectations and begins redevelopment at the former MEG site
Cenovus Energy announced on Thursday that it has begun drilling new oil wells at its Christina Lake Oil Sands site in 'northern Alberta,' formerly owned MEG Energy. The plan will increase the company’s production this year as well as by 2027. The Canadian oil sands company, which exceeded market expectations for adjusted profits in the fourth quarter on Thursday, bought smaller MEG Energy after a bitter battle with Strathcona Resource. Cenovus' portfolio was immediately boosted by approximately 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Libyan traders bring in Western traders to counter Russian fuel flow
Three trading sources have confirmed that global oil traders and firms including Vitol Trafigura, and TotalEnergies won the tenders for supplying gasoline and diesel to Libya. The country is allowing large Western companies a broader access and reducing its imports of Russian petrol. Libya has been overhauling its oil industry for 15 years, following the fall of Muammar Gadhafi. It produces 1.4 million barrels of crude oil a day, but does not have the refinery infrastructure necessary to process it. This leaves it dependent on fuel imports.
Italy's Tenaris beats estimates for fourth-quarter sales on North America demand
Tenaris, an Italian steel pipe manufacturer, reported a 5% increase in net sales for the fourth quarter late on Wednesday, surpassing analysts' expectations, thanks to strong demand in North America. The net sales of the quarter ending December 31 increased from $2.84 to $3 billion, largely due to a 29% increase in North America tube sales that helped offset declining revenue in South America and Europe. Analysts had expected the Luxembourg-headquartered company to ?report sales of $2.96 billion, according to LSEG data.
Junior minister: Austria looks to renewables and African gas to reduce US LNG dependency
PARIS, February 18 - Austria wants to increase renewable energy and import more?gas from Africa in order to avoid becoming too dependent on U.S. Liquefied Natural?Gas? as Europe changes its energy supply. As a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries struggle to maintain affordable electricity prices. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has many governments concerned about replacing one dependence with another. "The U.S. cannot be predicted in these times. So for Austria…
Canada boosts investments in Ukraine's Energy Sector
The two governments announced on Wednesday that Canada would increase its support for Ukraine's energy industry, working with the industry to provide?oil and gas equipment at favorable terms, as well as boost investments in renewable energy. As part of the full-scale invasion that began in February 2020, Russia has attacked power stations, gas installations, and electricity transmission lines. Three people were killed and tens thousands left without heat and electricity by Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure this week.
Ovintiv sells Anadarko assets to Ovintiv for $3 billion
Ovintiv announced?on Tuesday that it had agreed to sell Anadarko?assets?in Oklahoma to an unnamed buyer for $3 Billion, as?the?company sharpens its?focus?on higher-margin?plays?in?the Permian basin and Canada's Montney. In extended trading, shares of the company increased by nearly 2%. The company's plan to sell the Anadarko assets was announced in November. This sale is a result of North American producers concentrating capital into core, higher return?basins and shedding non-core asset to strengthen their balance sheets in the face of commodity price volatility.
Junior minister: Austria looks to renewables and African gas to reduce US LNG dependency
PARIS, February 18 - Austria is looking to increase renewable energy and gas imports from Africa in order to avoid becoming too dependent on U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas as Europe reshapes its 'energy supply. As a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries struggle to maintain affordable electricity prices. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has many governments concerned about replacing one dependence with another. "The U.S. cannot be predicted in these times. Therefore…