Oil and gas exploration is back. Energy giants are hunting to replenish reserves
Executives at the CERAWeek Conference in Houston, Texas, this week declared that global energy companies have returned to the basics, focusing their efforts on finding?new oil and gas sources. This marks the end of years of underinvestment. The'shale revolution' in the U.S. in recent years promised a flexible, abundant supply. However, growth in renewable energy sources like wind and sun raised doubts over long-term demand for oil. Oil and gas drillers have chosen to 'flood profits into dividends and stock buybacks rather than exploration.
Source: Nigeria divides OPL 245 oilfield OPL into four blocks as part of deal with Eni and Shell
Sources say that Nigeria has divided the 'OPL 245 oil block into four assets, which will be operated by Eni or Shell. This could determine the future of a field that is at the heart of one of oil industry history's largest?corruption cases. The agreement opens the door to the development of OPL 245, Nigeria's largest deepwater reserve, which has been untapped for nearly?three decades due to overlapping lawsuits from multiple countries. Sources familiar with the matter said that the final contracts will be signed starting on Monday.
China shares steady as energy and defence shares surge, offsetting airline losses; HK drops
China's benchmark equity indexes were not significantly changed Monday in the aftermath of a conflict with Iran. Increases in gold, energy and defence stocks offset declines in airline and tourism shares. The expectation that Beijing would step in and stabilize markets before a parliamentary session later this week boosted sentiment on the mainland. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell over 2%. The U.S. The?U.S. China's CSI300 Index, the blue-chip index of China, and the Shanghai Composite Index oscillated between small gains and losses in early trading.
Iran's main oil, gas and infrastructure production
On Saturday, Israel and the United States launched an offensive against Iran. The attack could cause oil and gas production to be disrupted and damage the energy infrastructure in the Middle East. Iran is the third-largest oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It pumps 4.5% or so of world oil. Iran produces 3.3 million barrels of crude oil per day, plus another 1.3 million barrels of condensate. According to FGE, Iran's domestic refining capacity is 2.6 million barrels per day.
The European stock rally is stalled as traders evaluate the economic impact of Venezuela
After a string of record closings, European stocks were down?on Wednesday as investors took a break to digest the latest U.S. - Venezuela developments and awaited new economic data. The?STOXX?600 index was slightly lower at 0920 GMT a day after it reached a new closing high. Investors were cautious following the announcement by U.S. president Donald Trump that the United States has reached an agreement to import $2 billion of Venezuelan crude oil, which is expected to increase supply. In response to Trump's remarks, oil prices dropped.
TotalEnergies sells 40% of Nigerian licenses to Chevron
TotalEnergies announced on Monday that it will sell to Chevron a 40% share in two offshore exploration licences in Nigeria, a move designed to strengthen collaboration between the French energy giants and the U.S. counterparts. After the sale, TotalEnergies, Chevron and South Atlantic Petroleum will all have 40% of the ownership. Nigeria is responsible for 8.5% of TotalEnergies’ global hydrocarbons and more than one-third of TotalEnergies’ African oil and natural gas production. However, its output has decreased by about a quarter in the last two decades.
Aramco signs preliminary US deal worth more than $30 Billion
Saudi Aramco, the oil giant, said that it signed 17 preliminary agreements with U.S. firms with a total potential value of over $30 billion during a trip to Washington by Saudi Crown Prince. In a press release, the company said that these projects include liquefied gas, financial services and advanced materials manufacturing, as well as procurement of materials and other services. Saudi Arabian and U.S. officials highlighted billions of dollars in new investments, and the growing financial ties that exist between the two nations on Wednesday.
Trade sources claim that Yanchang, a Chinese refiner, buys crude oil from the UAE and Kazakhstan instead of Russia.
Several sources confirmed that Yanchang Petroleum, a Chinese refiner, has purchased 3 million barrels from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kazakhstan, for arrival in January, after having suspended its Russian oil purchases due to concerns over Western sanctions. They said that the state-owned company purchased 2 million barrels Abu Dhabi Murban crude oil from Swiss trader Mercuria, and 1 million barrels CPC Blend from Vitol. Prices were not immediately available.
Overview of Iran's major gas fields and oil infrastructure
Israel attacked an installation in Iran's South Pars Gas Field on Saturday. This was the first attack against Iran's oil-and-gas sector, as part of a long-term operation that the Israeli government warned would take place to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran has temporarily suspended gas production at the South Pars Field, Iran's share of the world's biggest natural gas reserve. The field is located beneath the Gulf, and it's shared with Qatar, a major gas exporter.
Overview of Iran's major gas fields and oil infrastructure
Israel attacked an installation in Iran's South Pars Gas Field on Saturday. This was the first attack against Iran's oil-and-gas sector, as part of a long-term operation that the Israeli government warned would take place to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. Iran has temporarily suspended gas production at the South Pars Field, Iran's share of the world's biggest natural gas reserve. The field is located beneath the Gulf, and it's shared with Qatar, a major gas exporter.
Total and Shell back out of carbon storage project in the Netherlands
AMSTERDAM (25 April) - After TotalEnergies & Shell retracted part of their planned investment, the Dutch government announced on Friday that it would invest 639 million euro ($726 millions) in the construction of the largest carbon capture and storing project of the Netherlands. The two major oil companies have decided not to invest in the infrastructure needed to connect the industries with the storage sites under the North Sea in gas fields that are depleted.
UAE renewables firm Masdar weighs possible IPO, sources say
Three people familiar with the situation have confirmed that Masdar, Abu Dhabi's state owned renewables company, is considering a public offering. Two sources said that the company was considering a dual listing, one in New York and another in Abu Dhabi, to raise funds for renewable projects. A third person confirmed that Masdar had held informal discussions with banks. Two people have said that an IPO will not happen before 2026. One person said that the company might not even pursue an IPO. The three refused to give their names as the issue is not public.
ADNOC signs LNG supply contract with Japan's Osaka Gas
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced on Thursday that it had signed an agreement for 15 years to supply Japan’s Osaka Gas liquefied gas from the Ruwais Project. The agreement to supply LNG up to 0.8 mtpa is the fourth contract signed for the Ruwais LNG Project, where energy giants Shell, BP TotalEnergies, and Japan's Mitsui all have a 10% share. ADNOC stated in a press release that the LNG will primarily come from the Ruwais LNG Project, which is due to be completed in 2028.
Venture Global rises after brokerages begin coverage with bullish rating
Venture Global shares reached a weekly peak on February 18th, after several brokerages began coverage of the company with bullish ratings despite its dull market debut in January. Venture Global shares rose 5.8% to $16.87. On January 24, the liquefied gas (LNG), provider started trading at New York Stock Exchange for $24.05 per stock, valuing the company as the largest gas exporter. Its market capitalization is $58.2 Billion. Investors and analysts are concerned about the company's long-term profits and legal disputes with UK energy giants BP and Shell.
President Mozambique says that the country is not interested in reviewing terms of LNG projects.
Mozambique's new president stated on Friday that it is not interested in reviewing contract terms with energy giants such as TotalEnergies or ExxonMobil, who plan multi-billion dollar liquefied gas projects for the country. Daniel Chapo, the leader of the long-ruling Frelimo Party, took office on Tuesday after months of protests by opposition groups against his disputed electoral victory. Civil society groups claim that more than 300 people were killed.
Year Ender: Big Oil retreats from renewables as climate agenda falters
In 2024, major European energy companies increased their focus on oil and natural gas to maximize profits in the short-term. They also slowed down and sometimes reversed climate commitments. This is a trend that will likely continue in 2025. Oil majors have retreated after governments worldwide slowed down the rollout and set back targets for clean energy as energy prices soared in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The share performance of the big European energy companies…
Sechin, Rosneft's boss, says that targets and costs are a hindrance to the appeal of green energy.
Igor Sechin is a well-known sceptic of green energy and the boss of Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft. He believes that investors are losing interest in clean energy because of elusive targets, high cost and lack of funding. Russia, the world's largest producer of oil, natural gas and coal, as well as China, have set targets to achieve carbon neutrality in 2060. This is 10 years later than other developed countries. The Russian president Vladimir Putin criticised the green movements in Europe for exploiting people's fears over climate change.
UAE's Masdar eyes Iberian renewables champion after recent deals
Masdar, the renewable energy company of the United Arab Emirates, will continue to grow its presence on the Iberian Market after signing two deals there in recent months. Masdar has signed its second major renewables deal with Spain in the last two months. It bought Saeta Yield, a Canadian company owned by Brookfield, for $1.4 billion. In July, the company agreed to purchase a small minority stake in an Italian Enel unit called Endesa that controls a 2 gigawatt solar portfolio. We're on the right track to creating our own champion.
Spain increases green hydrogen goal
Spain has raised its target for green hydrogen production capacity as a sign that it is confident in the industry, which has seen many energy giants cut back their plans due to high prices and an uncertain demand. According to a document released by the Energy Ministry on Monday, an updated version of the government’s strategy has set a target for 2030 of 12 gigawatts of electrolysers that are used to produce green hydrogen. This is up from 11 GW, which was in a previous draft of a new update last year.
Vattenfall, Swedish energy giants and other industry leaders join forces to invest in new energy sources
The companies announced on Tuesday that Sweden's largest utility Vattenfall will explore joint investments in new fossil free power production to meet the growing electricity demand as part of decarbonisation efforts. Vattenfall, along with Industrikraft, a group that includes Alfa Laval Boliden SKF Stora Enso, Boliden and the Volvo Group, is investigating how, when, and what investments they can make together. Borg stated that the annual Swedish power demand will double by 2045 from 140-150 Terawatt Hours (TWh)…