Energean increases annual net debt forecast for expansion plans in Israel
Eastern Mediterranean-focused gas producer Energean raised its annual net debt forecast on Wednesday, as the company ramps up spending on major projects in Israel and Croatia amid geopolitical disruptions. The London-listed firm secured $4 billion in Israeli gas offtake contract during the first half of this year. This brings its contract pipeline up to $20 billion for the next 20 years. Energean’s production has taken a significant hit since the firm stopped operations at its floating production storage and loading facility located off Northern Israel in June, due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Equinor Explores Role in Germany Gas Plant Capacity Expansion
Norwegian energy producer Equinor is looking at options for participating in a planned German gas-fired power plant tender but requires more detail before making any decision, a senior executive said on Tuesday.Germany plans to tender eight gigawatts (GW) of new gas-fired power plant capacity next year, with a further 2 GW to be offered in 2026 and 2027 to strike a balance between decarbonisation and backing up intermittent renewables."We have had, and are having, conversations with actors who will most certainly be in the picture and then we need to see whether we can play a role in this," Helge Haugane, head of Equinor's power bus
Equinor looks at its role in expanding Germany's gas capacity
A senior executive at Equinor said that the Norwegian energy company is considering its options to participate in a German gas-fired plant tender, but needs more information before taking a decision. Germany will tender 8 gigawatts of new gas-fired plant capacity in the coming year. A further 2 GW will be offered by 2026 or 2027, to strike a balanced between decarbonisation while supporting intermittent renewables. Helge Haigane, Equinor's head of power business, said: "We are in discussions with actors that will be most definitely in the picture. He added that the involvement of any company was also dependent on economics.
Shell UK sells its 50% stake in Tobermory Gas to UK-based Ithaca Energy
Ithaca Energy, a North Sea oil-and-gas producer, announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase a 50% stake from Shell UK in the Tobermory Gas discovery located in the West of Shetland Basin off Scotland. Shell's Tobermory interest will be part of Adura. This joint venture between Equinor and Shell is expected to launch later this year. This partnership will be announced in December 2024 and combine Shell and Equinor’s UK offshore oil and natural gas assets. Shell spokesperson stated that the announcement made with Ithaca on Wednesday supports Shell's West of Shetland Gas Growth Strategy.
The Black Sea Infrastructure is at risk, according to the Romanian National Defence Strategy
A draft national defence strategy released on Wednesday said that Romania must strengthen its ties with allies along the Black Sea to protect energy projects, which will make Romania the largest gas producer of the European Union in 2027. In the past two years, the EU and NATO member state has been repeatedly violated by Russian drones. Mines have also been spotted in the Black Sea along key trade and energy routes. Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia, along with Turkey and Ukraine, share the Black Sea, which is vital for grain, oil, and oil-based products.
Shell appeals against arbitration ruling on Venture Global LNG Supply Contracts
Shell has filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to challenge its loss in an arbitration against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The two arbitration cases were based on Venture Global's inability to deliver LNG as per long-term contracts, while the prices of LNG soared following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Shell argues in its latest filing that, while it is difficult to appeal arbitration decisions, they believe such a move was justified as Venture Global withheld crucial evidence. Shell confirmed that the document was filed on Monday.
Shell appeals against arbitration ruling on Venture Global LNG Supply Contracts
Shell has filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to challenge its loss in an arbitration against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The two arbitration cases concerned Venture Global's inability to deliver LNG as per long-term contracts, while the prices of LNG on the spot market soared following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Shell, in a new filing, claimed that, while it was true the legal hurdles to appeal arbitration decisions are high, they believed an appeal would be justified because Venture Global withheld crucial evidence.
Shell challenges Venture Global Arbitration Decision in New York Supreme Court
Shell is appealing its loss in a case against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global at the New York Supreme Court. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The dispute arose from Venture Global's failure of to deliver liquefied gas under long-term agreements starting in 2023. Shell claims in a new filing that Venture Global hid information from Shell and to the arbitration tribunal. Shell confirmed that the filing was made Monday. Shell, BP, Edison, and Galp, among others, filed arbitration claims in 2023 accusing Venture Global that it profited from the sale on LNG at the spot market…
ConocoPhillips lifts dividend, raises output forecast after profit beat
ConocoPhillips increased its quarterly dividend on Thursday and raised its full-year production projection after posting earnings that were above expectations in the third quarter, thanks to lower costs and higher output which offset weaker oil price. In premarket trading, shares of the United States' largest independent oil and natural gas producer rose by 1.5%. The company's efforts to streamline operations, cut costs and save more than $1 billion from the Marathon Oil acquisition helped mitigate the effects of a 13% decline in Brent crude oil prices from a previous year.
The battle for MEG Energy in Canada
The shareholders of MEG Energy will vote on Thursday, which could end the long-running battle for the Canadian oil sands manufacturer. This is the timeline for events in this year. Strathcona Resources, a Canadian oil and natural gas producer, announces that it will launch a hostile bid to take over MEG. The deal values the company at C$5.93billion ($4.25billion). MEG's Board urges its shareholders to reject Strathcona bid on June 16, calling it inadequate. The board has announced that it will conduct a strategic review in order to look at alternatives.
How BP won a $1 billion plus case against Venture Global
Five sources familiar with the case said that BP's $1 billion arbitration win against liquefied gas producer Venture Global was won by arguing unfair behavior by the U.S. firm. This strategy could be used in similar cases by other claimants. BP won in October. Two months earlier, Shell had lost a similar lawsuit when it was unable to prove Venture Global's breach of long-term LNG agreements. Shell didn't push the argument that Venture Global acted unfairly in its arbitration. Legal and industry experts say that lawyers across the industry are chasing the details of BP’s winning strategy…
Energean CEO: New $400 million Israel to Cyprus gas pipeline is awaiting approval from government
The head of Eastern Mediterranean gas producer Energean said on Tuesday that a $400 million pipeline will transport natural gas between Israel and Cyprus. Israel has also expressed its support. Energean signed on Monday a letter-of-intent with Cyfield, the leading Cypriot energy and industrial group, for the possible supply of natural gases from Israel via the new pipeline to Cyfield’s planned power station, according to Mathios Rigas, CEO of British firm. Rigas said in an interview at the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi that gas could be flowing through the pipeline in 12 months after the approvals are granted by the government.
$400m Natural Gas Pipeline Between Israel and Cyprus Awaits Government Approval
A $400 million pipeline to transport natural gas from Israel to Cyprus is awaiting government approval from both countries and Israel has expressed support, the head of Eastern Mediterranean focused gas producer Energean told Reuters on Tuesday.Energean on Monday signed a letter of intent with leading Cypriot industrial and energy group Cyfield for the potential supply of natural gas from Israel to Cyfield's planned power plant via the new pipeline, said Mathios Rigas, CEO of the British firm.Gas could flow through the pipeline within 12 months of the government approvals being granted…
ExxonMobil warns EU laws could force ExxonMobil to leave Europe
Woods is one of a growing group of energy producers who are urging European legislators to revise Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, which mandates that companies operating in the EU identify and address risks related to human rights and the environment across their supply chain. Woods said on the sidelines at the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi that it would be impossible for us to remain in Europe if we couldn't succeed there. The directive is intended to provide investors with greater visibility of risks throughout the value chain, and hold companies responsible for any harm they may cause, even if it occurs outside Europe.
ExxonMobil warns EU laws could lead to Exodus from Europe
ExxonMobil, the U.S. energy company, will be unable to do business in Europe if the EU does not loosen a law on sustainability that penalises companies with fines up to 5% of their global revenue. Woods has joined a chorus of energy producers outraged by the EU's law that requires businesses doing business within the EU to fix any human rights or environmental problems in their supply chain. Woods said on the sidelines the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi that it would be impossible for us to remain in Europe if we couldn't become a successful business.
Cenovus Reports Rise in Q3 Profit
Cenovus Energy reported a rise in third-quarter profit on Friday, driven by record oil sands production and near-full refinery utilization that helped offset weaker crude prices.The Calgary, Canada-based oil and gas producer pursues a major expansion through its planned acquisition of MEG Energy for about $6 billion.A MEG shareholder vote on the deal was postponed this week to allow for additional regulatory disclosures.The regulatory inquiry is related to a complaint raised by a former employee of MEG who holds approximately 4…
Exxon lifts force majeure on LNG project in Mozambique
Exxon Mobil may lift force majeure for a $30 billion liquefied gas project in Mozambique, according to CEO Darren Woods. Woods made the announcement during a Friday earnings call. Woods, who is referring to a French energy company that is developing an adjacent, but related, project, said: "Total has lifted their force majeure. Reports earlier this week stated that Exxon could not make a final decision on the project called Rovuma until TotalEnergies resumes its work following a force majeure lifted by it four years ago, which was caused by an insurgent attack linked to Islamists.
US Energy Secretary: There are many opportunities for mutually beneficial energy trade with China
Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy secretary, said that there are many opportunities for a "win/win" energy trade between China & the United States. Donald Trump, the U.S. president and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, reached a fragile truce on trade in South Korea Thursday. The agreements were on China's purchases of soybeans and exports of rare earths. There is room for a great deal of energy trade between China & the United States. China is the world's largest natural gas importer. The United States is the world's largest natural gas exporter.
Cenovus profits jump on record production and refinery strength
Cenovus Energy reported a higher third-quarter profit Friday. This was due to record oil sands output and a near-full utilization of the refinery, which helped offset lower crude prices. The U.S. listed shares of Canadian oil and Gas Producer rose 1.5% during premarket trading. The Calgary-based company's results are coming as it plans a major expansion with its planned acquisition of MEG Energy for about $6 billion. The MEG shareholders' vote on the transaction was postponed to this week in order to provide additional regulatory disclosures.
PetroChina's net profit for the third quarter is down 3.9% on an annual basis
PetroChina Co Ltd, Asia's biggest oil and gas producer, reported on Thursday that its third quarter net profit fell 3.9% from the previous year due to lower crude oil prices. However, it continued to maintain steady crude production while expanding natural gas output. In a filing to the stock exchange, the company reported that its net profit had fallen to 42.29 billion Yuan ($5.94billion), while revenues rose by 2.3% to reach 719.16 milliards yuan. CNOOC Ltd, a domestic offshore oil and natural gas producer, reported a 12% drop in earnings for the quarter on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sinopec Corp.