Brazil increases biofuels, sees self-sufficiency in gasoline
The Brazilian National Energy Policy Council approved an increase in the amount of biofuels blended into fossil fuels on Wednesday. This move was also hailed by renewable energy lobbyists who had earlier claimed that the blends wouldn't be changed this coming year. Pietro Mendes from the Energy Ministry's Oil and Gas Department announced the changes during a press conference. Alexandre Silveira, Minister of Mines and Energy at the event, also stated that a change in the mandate for biofuels would allow Brazil to become "gasoline-independent for the first 15 years".
Israel's Leviathan Gas Field to Restart Operations After Shutdown During Iran Conflict
Israel's NewMed announced on Wednesday that the Leviathan gas field, which supplies gas to Egypt, Jordan and the Middle East, was shut down almost two weeks ago because of the Iran-Israel war, but would be reopened in a few hours. Since June 13, two of Israel's three natural gas fields, Leviathan operated by Chevron and Karish owned by Energean, off its Mediterranean coastline that provides the bulk of Israel's exports to Egypt or Jordan have been closed. The older Tamar field was left to operate, primarily for domestic supply. Israel and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement on Tuesday.
Israel resumes limited gas exports despite ongoing conflict; Egypt still waiting
Israel resumed exports of natural gas from its surplus, according to the Energy Ministry on Thursday. This comes nearly a full week after Israel and Iran engaged in an aerial battle. According to a source in the energy ministry, most of the gas exported is flowing into Jordan and "tiny quantities" have reached Egypt only this week. Egyptian fertilizer producers who had to stop operations because of the disruption in gas supply have said they still haven't received any gas, but are expecting it to return next week.
Egypt stops fertilizer production after Israeli gas shortages increase energy strain
Industry sources report that Egyptian fertilizer producers had to stop operations Friday because of a decline in natural gas imported from Israel. After Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, they said that major Israeli gasfields had halted operations. Egypt's Petroleum Ministry announced that an emergency plan had been implemented to prioritise gas allocations and cut supply to certain industries. The ministry reported that power stations are using fuel oil at maximum levels and switching to diesel is being done to protect the stability and load of the gas grid.
Ukraine and Poland nearly double the capacity of their gas link
The Ukrainian Energy Ministry announced on Friday that the gas transmission system operators in Poland and Ukraine would double the capacity of the interconnector from 6.4 million cubic metres of gas per day to 12.4 mcm. After Russian shelling, Ukraine wants to import large quantities of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas via Germany, Greece and Lithuania in order to prepare for the heating season. The Polish route is the main gas import destination for Ukraine. The role of Poland's gas distribution system will continue to grow as it provides access worldwide to natural gas sources…
Sources say that Hokchi Energy, frustrated by Mexico's Pemex and its refusal to buy oil from them, pushed for a change in who purchases their oil.
Three sources said that Hokchi Energy in Mexico, frustrated with months of late payments from the state-owned company Pemex for its oil, gas and natural gas, sought to amend its contract so that it could do business with PMI Comercio Internacional. Hokchi Energy’s attempt to change the buyer of its production shows the difficulties in doing business with Pemex. One source stated that PMI, which imports and exports refined fuels like gasoline and diesel and exports crude oils, is seen as a much more reliable partner than Pemex.
Spain pays first arbitral award in long-running dispute over renewable subsidies
A spokesperson for the Energy Ministry said that on Thursday, the Spanish government had agreed to pay 37 million dollars to an American fund in order to settle a dispute over renewable energy subsidies which were reduced more than a decade earlier. After the conservative government of Spain cut renewable subsidies in 2013, to reduce an artificially low power tariff deficit that had been built up over years, foreign investors, mainly investment funds, filed a lawsuit against Spain. Blasket renewable investments, a U.S.-based fund, had acquired rights to the award.
Japan will send a senior official for the Alaska energy conference
Yoji Muto, Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry minister, said on Friday a senior official would attend a conference in Alaska next week, at which the $44 billion Alaska LNG Project is expected to come up for discussion. Muto announced that Takehiko Matsuo will be the Vice-Minister of International Affairs for the Ministry. The conference is scheduled to take place from June 3 to 5, Muto stated. The conference begins the day after the Trump administration scheduled talks. It invited officials from Japan and South Korea to Alaska to discuss a wide range of projects, including a gas pipeline.
Ukraine Approves Gas Import Via Transbalkan Pipeline To Avoid High Transit Fees
Ukraine's energy regulator has approved a gas import mechanism that will avoid high transit fees when supplying gas through the Transbalkan pipeline from Greece to Ukraine, the Ukrainian energy ministry said on Tuesday.Ukraine has faced a serious gas shortage since a series of devastating Russian missile strikes this year, which significantly reduced domestic gas production.Ukraine now imports gas via Slovakia and Hungary, but does not use the southern route because of its higher transit tariffs…
Egypt In Talks to Buy LNG Cargoes Amidst Energy Crunch
Egypt is in talks with energy firms and trading houses to buy 40-60 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid a worsening energy crunch ahead of peak summer demand, three sources aware of the matter told Reuters.The country faces spending up to $3 billion at current prices to secure the LNG, squeezing government coffers already under strain to keep the lights on amid falling gas production and a cost of living crisis.President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday directed the government to "preemptively take whatever needs necessary to ensure stable electricity flow…
There Is An Estimated 6 Billion Barrels of Shale Oil Reserve in Southeast Turkey
U.S. oil producer Continental Resources estimates there is a shale oil reserve of 6.1 billion barrels in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir Basin, the Turkish energy minister said.If confirmed, such reserves would place Turkey above some OPEC members such as Congo or Gabon, and other major producers such as the UK.Continental Resources and Turkish national oil company TPAO signed a joint venture agreement in March to develop shale fields in the basin."Turkey's current annual (crude) oil import amounts to 365 million barrels.
Indonesia offers three new oil blocks
An official from the Energy Ministry said that Indonesia has opened a new round of oil-and-gas block tenders, and offered three new blocks to contractors. This is part of efforts to increase energy supplies. Indonesia's oil production has declined over the last decade as reserves have been depleted. The government has promised to offer dozens more blocks in the coming years in order to reverse this trend. Tri Winarno, a ministry official, said that the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry offered on Tuesday to sell Gagah, an oil and gas block located in South Sumatra Province.
Denmark Plans Offshore Wind Tender With Up to $8.3 Billion Subsidy
Denmark will launch offshore wind tenders with a capacity of three gigawatt (GW), enough to power three million homes, its energy ministry said on Monday, offering subsidies to developers of up to 55.2 billion Danish crowns ($8.32 billion).The three tenders will open in the autumn this year and cover two areas in the Danish North Sea and one in the waters separating Denmark from Sweden.Two tenders will close in spring 2026 and one in the autumn of 2027, with completion expected by 2032 and 2033 respectively.The offshore wind industry has grappled with skyrocketing costs, higher interest rates
Denmark Plans to Offer Up to $8.3 Billion in Subsidies for Offshore Wind
Denmark's energy ministry announced on Monday that it will offer offshore wind tenders for a maximum of 3 gigawatts (GW), which is enough to power up to three million homes. The subsidies offered to developers could reach as much as $55.2 billion Danish crowns (8.32 billion dollars). Three tenders are scheduled to open this autumn, covering two areas of the Danish North Sea as well as one area in the waters between Denmark and Sweden. The two tenders are expected to close in spring 2026, and the other in autumn 2027. Both will be completed by 2032 or 2033.
Romania: OMV Petrom signs a three-year gas supply contract with Moldova
Romanian oil-and-gas group OMV Petrom signed a contract for three years to deliver gas to Moldova from the Black Sea offshore Neptun Deep project, Romania's Energy Ministry announced on Wednesday. Neptun Deep, a joint venture between OMV Petrom, the Romanian state-owned Romgaz and OMV Petrom, is estimated to contain 100 billion cubic metres of recoverable natural gas and is considered one of Europe's largest gas deposits. Neptun Deep, Romania's largest energy project since it finished its second nuclear reactor nearly two decades ago, is on track to deliver its initial gas by 2027.
Exxon's Guyana oil production rose to 668,000 barrels per day last week
Alistair Routledge of the U.S. After receiving the floating production facility in Guyana waters in February, the group is now working on installing it. The companies produced 627, 000 bpd in March. Data from the energy ministry of the country showed that the average 631,000 BPD achieved during the first quarter is 3% more than the previous year. After the fourth facility has been plugged in, the Exxon consortium will increase its output capacity from 500,000 bpd to 900,000. This will result in increased revenue and royalties to the government.
The former head of Pemex exploration, production and production returns to his position after the surprise departure of his predecessor
Three sources confirmed on Friday that the former head of Mexico's state oil company Pemex, the exploration and production division, has returned to his position after the departure of the previous boss earlier this week. Nestor Martinez replaced Angel Cid Munguia, the former head of Pemex Exploration and Production during the administration of Andres Manuel López Obrador. Three sources familiar with the situation said that Martinez resigned on Wednesday. Two of the sources said Cid Munguia would be returning to his old post immediately.
Greece approves the tender for hydrocarbons in four offshore blocks
The energy ministry announced on Thursday that Greece had approved an international bid for hydrocarbon exploration of four blocks in Mediterranean Sea following expressions of interest from Chevron Energy and Helleniq Energy. The energy ministry announced that Greece issued a ministerial order this week to launch a tender international after accepting Chevron’s interest in two blocks south-west of Crete, and one block near the Peloponnese Peninsula. After winning the licence to search for gas in two more blocks of Crete, an ExxonMobil consortium is evaluating seismic data.
Asian countries are looking to purchase more US energy in order to balance trade imbalance
As they try to reduce their trade surpluses with Washington, Asian governments are buying more U.S. gas and oil in order to ease their tariff burdens due to President Donald Trump’s new import duties. Many Asian countries have large trade surpluses and also are major energy importers. Trump's tariffs have caused economic and market turmoil. Here are some measures Asian countries will take to increase their purchases of U.S. gas and oil. Energy Minister Bahlil lahadalia said to…
Asian countries are looking to purchase more US energy in order to balance trade imbalance
As they try to reduce their trade surpluses with Washington, Asian governments are buying more U.S. gas and oil in order to ease their tariff burdens due to President Donald Trump’s new import duties. Many Asian countries have large trade surpluses and also are major energy importers. Trump's tariffs have shook markets and economies. Here are some measures Asian countries will take to increase their purchases of U.S. gas and oil. Energy Minister Bahlil lahadalia said to local…
