Sources say that Chevron Vitol Trafigura are all competing to control Venezuelan oil imports.
Sources familiar with the situation say that Chevron, Vitol, Trafigura and other companies are competing to get deals from the U.S. Government to export crude oil from Venezuela. Venezuelan officials are trying to control oil sales in the United States. This competition is a reflection of the desire for many oil companies to gain access to Venezuela's crude oil stocks and production. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has demanded Venezuela grant the United States access to the oil sector.
Vitol, Trafigura and the White House invited to Venezuelan oil discussions on Friday
Four sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has invited the heads of commodity trading companies Vitol and Trafigura to meet at the White House this Friday to discuss the marketing Venezuelan crude oil. European trading houses dominate global oil trading, and could assist the U.S. in selling oil from Venezuela despite Washington's desire for U.S. oil majors to take the lead. White House announced that it would host U.S.
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain oil production despite tensions among its members
OPEC+ agreed to?maintain a?steady?oil output during its Sunday meeting, according to an OPEC+ delegates and a source who was familiar with the talks. This is despite the political tensions that exist between Saudi Arabia and UAE and the capture by the U.S. of Venezuela's president. The eight members of OPEC+ who pump about half a world's oil will meet on Sunday after oil prices dropped more than 18% between 2025 and 2020, their steepest annual drop since 2010.
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain oil production despite tensions among its members
OPEC+ delegates reportedly said that despite the political tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?and U.S. capture the president of smaller producer 'Venezuela,' OPEC+ is likely to maintain steady oil production at its Sunday meeting. The OPEC+ meeting on Sunday, which includes eight members who pump about half of the world's crude oil, was called after oil prices dropped more than 18% between 2025 and 2020, their biggest drop in a year since then, amid concerns over an increasing oil supply.
Carlyle hires Goldman Sachs to bid for Lukoil assets
Two sources familiar with the matter said that Carlyle, the U.S.-based private equity firm, has hired Goldman Sachs for its bid to acquire Lukoil's assets. The race for the Russian oil company's foreign portfolio is heating up. Carlyle and?U.S. Sources have confirmed that Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Abu Dhabi conglomerate IHC as well as Saudi Arabia's Midad Energy are interested in buying Lukoil assets. Carlyle and Goldman Sachs both declined to comment.
Sources claim that Fedun, the co-founder of Lukoil, has sold his stake to the company.
Three sources and data show that Leonid Fedun sold his $7 billion stake in Lukoil. This marked the end of a 30-year journey which made Lukoil an international force, but saw it recently shrinking rapidly under sanctions. Lukoil, which had avoided Western sanctions for months over Russia's invasion in Ukraine, was severely hit by Western sanctions and now is selling its foreign assets. Analysts have long suggested that the company could be a target for Rosneft - a state-controlled competitor…
Carlyle is exploring options to purchase Lukoil's foreign assets, according to sources
Three sources familiar with this situation have confirmed that the U.S. Carlyle private equity firm is looking at options to purchase foreign assets of Russian oil giant Lukoil. As part of their efforts to get the Kremlin into peace talks on Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Lukoil and blocked its attempt to sell assets ahead of the November 21, sanctions deadline. Lukoil produces 2% of the world's oil at home and abroad.
Carlyle is exploring options to purchase Lukoil's foreign assets, according to sources
Three sources familiar with this situation have confirmed that the U.S. private-equity giant Carlyle is looking at options to purchase foreign assets of Russian oil major Lukoil. As part of its efforts to get the Kremlin into peace talks on Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Lukoil and blocked Lukoil from selling assets to Swiss-based Gunvor before the deadline of November 21, 2015. Lukoil produces about 2% of the global oil production at home and abroad.
Lukoil attracts buyers for its foreign assets
The foreign assets of Russian oil giant Lukoil, which range from Egypt to Kazakhstan are attracting bidders. Time is running out for the deals to be completed before U.S. sanctions are enforced. As part of their efforts to get the Kremlin into peace talks on Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed sanctions against Lukoil. They have already blocked Lukoil’s attempts to sell foreign assets before the deadline of November 21, 2015.
Sources say that OPEC+ is considering a larger increase in oil production
OPEC+ will likely consider a higher oil production increase for November of 411,000 barrels a day at its meeting on Sunday, as the rising oil prices encourages the group to attempt to regain market share. OPEC+ reversed its previous strategy of cutting output and has already increased quotas to more than 2,5 million bpd or 2.4% of global demand to increase market share. This is in response to pressure from U.S. president Donald Trump, who wants to lower oil prices.
Glencore's memo shows that the head of LNG is promoted to be in charge of oil and gas trading.
According to a memo sent to Glencore staff, Maxim Kolupaev has been promoted to head the entire oil and gas division of the company when Alex Sanna leaves at the end 2025. Trading houses often make as much money from gas and LNG as they do in their oil and fuel business, as LNG production increases globally and Europe replaces Russian natural gas with U.S.-produced LNG. In a memo, Glencore CEO Gary Nagle stated that Kolupaev would lead the division into its next phase.
Glencore's memo shows that the head of LNG is promoted to be in charge of oil and gas trading.
According to a memo sent to Glencore staff, Maxim Kolupaev has been promoted to head the entire oil and gas division of the company when Alex Sanna leaves at the end 2025. Trading houses often make as much money from gas and LNG as they do in their oil and fuel business, as LNG production increases globally and Europe replaces Russian natural gas with U.S.-produced LNG. In a memo, Glencore CEO Gary Nagle stated that Kolupaev would lead the division into its next phase.
Sources say that OPEC+ is planning to increase oil production in November.
Three sources familiar with the discussions said that OPEC+ is likely to approve another increase in oil production of at least 137,000 bbls per day during its meeting on Sunday. The group's desire to gain market share has been boosted by the rising price of oil, they added. OPEC+ reversed its April strategy of production cuts and has already increased quotas to more than 2,500,000 barrels per day. This represents about 2.4% world demand.
Iran announces that production of the world's biggest gas field has been partially suspended following an Israeli attack
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran had partially suspended gas production after an Israeli attack caused a fire at the world's largest gas field on Saturday. This would be Israel's first strike against Iran's oil sector. Iran shares South Pars with Qatar. It would be a major escalation of the conflict if it was struck, as the oil price had already increased by 9% Friday despite Israel sparing Iran's gas and oil on its first day.
Sources say Vitol will post a net profit of $8 to $8.5 billion in 2024.
Two industry sources said that Vitol was the world's largest energy trader in 2024. This is a significant drop from its record-breaking profits of 2022 and 203, but it still outperformed rivals by an enormous margin, despite lower volatility. The energy traders made record profits between 2022 and 2023, as the market recovered from the pandemic. They also faced shortages of gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Vitol has declined to comment.
Sources say Vitol will post a net profit of $8.0-8.5 billion in 2024.
Two industry sources said that the world's largest energy trader Vitol, despite lower volatility in 2024, made a profit between $8.0 and $8.5 billion. This was a huge margin over its rivals for the third consecutive year. The energy traders made record profits between 2022-2023, as the market recovered from the pandemic of coronavirus and faced gas shortages unprecedented in history following Russia's invasion. Vitol has declined to comment.
European gasoline glut affects global margins
As a result, gasoline stocks in Europe reached a record-high as exports fell due to increased refinery runs in Nigeria and the United States. This led to the profit margins for European and U.S. refineries to fall to a 15 month low in January. Gasoline profit margins usually fall in the winter due to lower seasonal demand. However, the magnitude of the drop is a major blow for refiners who are now facing low margins on petrochemicals. Diesel provides some relief to overall margins.
What OPEC+ oil production cuts are currently in effect?
OPEC+ will likely make more changes to its oil policy at its meeting on December 5, delaying a planned production increase further into the next year, as it is facing a weaker outlook for oil demand. In June, the oil producers' group reached a complex agreement to extend production cuts deep into 2025. The agreement has been modified to allow the group to delay a planned production increase by three months to the start of next year.
Sources: Austria's 50-year relationship with Gazprom is ended by the gas seizure
Five sources said that the Austrian group's seizure and payment of Russian gas to cover an arbitration award was what triggered the end of more than 50 years gas flow from Russian state energy company Gazprom to OMV this month. OMV is one of the last remaining gas buyers in Europe, after Gazprom lost most of its European customers in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia was Europe’s largest natural gas supplier before the war. OMV announced on Nov.
New refineries bring down profits for global refiners
Oil refiners across Asia, Europe, and the United States have seen their profitability drop to multi-year-lows. This is a significant downturn in an industry which had previously enjoyed booming returns following the pandemic. It also highlights the global slowdown. This weakness is another sign of a softening consumer and industrial demand in China due to the slowing of economic growth and increasing penetration of electric cars.