Palm oil hits a two-week low due to weaker Dalian crude oil and Mideast uncertainty
Malaysian palm futures fell to their lowest level in two weeks Wednesday. This was due to lower crude oil prices, a decline in Dalian oil, and uncertainty over the prospects of de-escalation of the Middle East conflict. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives exchange fell 41 ringgit or 0.9% to 4,496 Ringgit ($1,134.78). Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari said that the decline in crude prices and Dalian had a negative impact on 'the palm market'.
EnQuest confirms production forecast for 2026, but UK windfall tax hurts profit
EnQuest, a North Sea oil producer, reaffirmed its production forecast for 2026 on Wednesday. The company is banking primarily on investments in Britain and South East Asia after Britain's windfall tax levies impacted last year's profit. EnQuest, like its competitors, continues to be challenged by the UK's Energy Profits Levy which has raised questions about the competitiveness of North Sea producers. The company is working to increase?output of mature assets in order to counter third party outages.
Japan's Nikkei soared as Trump claimed US negotiations ended the Iran war
The Nikkei share average in Japan rose by the most since a week on Wednesday. This was backed up by cautious optimism about the Middle East crisis moving 'towards a possible settlement? after recent volatility. The Nikkei Index benchmark rose by 2.87%, closing at 53,749.62. This is the largest percentage increase since March 18. The Topix index rose 2.57% to 3,650.99. U.S. president Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the U.S. is making progress in its efforts to end the war with Iran.
Mike Dolan: The ROI-Gulf War rattles the petrodollar Foundations
No matter what the outcome of this war is, the question for the Gulf's oil-rich economies will remain: "Is the U.S. umbrella worth the cost?" Since U.S., Israel and other countries launched attacks on Iran, on February 28, the Gulf's neighbours have been the most affected by the missiles and drones which followed. These weapons destroyed energy infrastructure and damaged economies. They also exposed the limits of a supposed U.S. umbrella. This reckoning has consequences that go 'far beyond the militaristic.
Palm oil falls on weaker Dalian crude oil amid Mideast uncertainties
Malaysian palm oil futures dropped more than 1% Wednesday due to lower crude oil prices, declines in Dalian oils, and uncertainty about prospects of a easing in tensions in the Middle East. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives exchange for June delivery was down 63 Ringgit or 1.39% at 4,474 Ringgit ($1,132.37). The palm market was affected by the decline in crude oil and Dalian, according to Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari.
China's coal-chemicals sector reaps the benefits as Iran war crushes its petrochemical rivals
China's coal-to-chemicals stock has risen by up to 30% since the Iran War began, as the industry?capitalizes on its ability to?turn domestic coal into petroleum and?other chemicals without relying upon shipments through Strait of Hormuz. The rise in oil prices due to Iran's close-to-closing of the Strait of Hormuz has been a boon to the coal-to chemicals sector. This industry has its roots in Germany during World War II and is almost unique. It transforms coal into petroleum products, gas, and other chemicals.
Japan's Nikkei soars on optimism about Iran peace plan
The Nikkei average rose by a little over 3% on Wednesday. This was due to cautious optimism that the Middle East Crisis could be moving toward a possible settlement following recent volatility. The Nikkei 225 Index, the benchmark index, grew by 2.93% to reach 53784.43. The Topix index rose 2.5% to 3,648.78. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that on Tuesday that the U.S. is making progress in its negotiations to end war with Iran.
Equinor CEO: EU unlikely to increase Russian Gas Imports
Anders Opedal CEO of Norway's Equinor said on Tuesday that the European Union is unlikely to increase Russian gas imports in order to offset Middle East supply disruption as long as Russia's 'war' with Ukraine continues. In an interview given at the CERAWeek conference in Houston by Opedal, the EU partnership with Ukraine was cited as a reason for the difficulty of bringing Russian gas to the region. Since the Russian invasion, the bloc has been Kyiv’s most staunch ally.
Goldman Sachs warns that a shortage of fertilizers due to the Hormuz could increase grain prices.
Goldman?Sachs stated in a report published on Tuesday that disruptions to the nitrogen fertilizer supply via the Strait?of Hormuz may reduce global grain yields?and change planting decisions. This could lead to a rise in grain prices. The report stated that a shortage of nitrogen fertilizer may lead to a lower grain yield through suboptimal or delayed nitrogen application, and encourage farmers planting less fertiliser-intensive crops like soybeans. According to The Fertilizer Institute, in the U.S.
US shale companies unlikely to drill $100 per barrel unless prices remain high, executives claim
Shale executives?said that oil prices above $100 a barrelle would 'not trigger a meaningful increase in production in the U.S. unless the price remained high for a period of more than a year, at the CERAWeek conference?in Houston. This is troubling news for the consumers who have been hit by the energy 'crisis during the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran. Because they can produce crude oil relatively quickly, shale producers have helped the U.S. become the largest producer in the globe.
Industry executives warn that the global energy crisis is worsening; attempts to plug the supply gap are not enough.
Executives and oil ministers reaffirmed that the global energy crisis has worsened as emergency measures by governments around the world have failed to plug the huge shortfall of oil and gas caused by the U.S. and Israeli?war against Iran. Energy, fertilizers, and petrochemicals costs are rising as the world loses up to 20 million barrels of crude oil per day due to the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping chokepoint.
Venture Global CEO: We are working with critical LNG cargoes to ship globally
Venture Global, a liquefied natural 'gas exporter, is working with countries all over the world to 'help cover shortages of supply in the short term, said CEO Mike Sabel on Tuesday at.the CERAWeek conference in Houston. The world was reeling from the attacks on energy infrastructure during the U.S. - Israeli war against Iran. The price of oil and gas has risen following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Venture Global CEO: We have enough LNG to last for a long time.
Venture Global, a liquefied natural 'gas exporter, is working with countries all over the world to deliver vital cargoes. CEO Mike Sabel made this statement on Tuesday - at the CERAWeek conference in Houston. The world was reeling from the attacks on energy infrastructure during the U.S. - Israeli war against Iran. The price of oil and gas has risen following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
CERAWEEK - Kuwait oil CEO claims Iran is "holding the world economy hostage"
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation CEO said that emergency measures taken to ease the disruption in energy?supply due to the U.S. and Israeli war 'on Iran' are "not even a smidgen" compared with normal oil and natural gas exports from the Middle East Gulf. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq were forced to reduce crude oil production by millions of barrels after Iranian drone and missile attacks on infrastructure in the region as well as ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Venture Global CEO: We have enough LNG to last for a long time.
Venture Global, a liquefied natural gas exporter, has sufficient?short-, medium- and longterm supplies. It is also working with countries all over the world to deliver vital cargoes. This was CEO Mike Sabel's statement on Tuesday, at the CERAWeek conference in Houston, Texas. The markets have been thrown into chaos following the U.S./Israeli war against?Iran in which some LNG producing facilities in the Middle East were severely damaged. Venture Global is the U.S.'s second largest LNG exporter.
Shell CEO warns that energy shortages could occur in Europe by the end of next month.
Shell CEO Wael Sawan warned on Tuesday that energy shortages in Europe could occur by the end of next month. Sawan added that Shell is working with governments in order to address the energy crisis. This includes storage and purchasing. Sawan said that the Middle East conflict has already impacted jet fuel supplies. Diesel and gasoline will follow as the summer driving season begins in Northern Hemisphere. The war has caused major damage to energy facilities, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly stopped.
India Loads LPG onto Its Empty Vessels Stranded in the Gulf
India is loading liquefied petroleum gas onto its empty vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf as the country grapples with a gas shortage triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, an official from the federal shipping ministry said on Tuesday.Eight LPG carriers, 4 crude oil ships, and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker were among 24 Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf as shipments were disrupted from the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.Two ships Shivalik and Nanda have already reached India…
European Energy Shortages Could Be Felt By April
Energy shortages could hit Europe by next month, Shell CEO Wael Sawan said on Tuesday, adding that securing adequate energy supply was critical to national security.Countries cannot have national security without energy security, Sawan said, adding that Shell was trying to work with governments to help them address the energy crisis, including with storage and purchasing. The Middle East conflict, now in its fourth week, has already affected supplies of jet fuel…
Modi and Trump discuss the importance of keeping Strait of Hormuz Open
?Indian PM Narendra Modi, and?U.S. In separate posts on X, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and Modi, said that President Donald Trump called him on Tuesday, discussing the'situation in the Middle East', including the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz. It was the first time the two leaders had spoken since the U.S., Israel and Iran launched coordinated attacks against Iran on February 28. India supports the de-escalation of tensions and restoration to peace as soon as possible.
Gulf Stocks Mixed amid Confusion over US-Iran Talks
Gulf markets closed mixed on Tuesday. Qatar?extended losses, while other bourses stabilized as investors parsed contradictory signals about potential U.S.Iran 'talks. The mood was volatile when U.S. President Donald Trump delayed attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure and spoke of "productive" talks to end the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. But Tehran dismissed this comment as "fakenews". Semafor, citing an official from the United States, reported that the U.S. would continue to strike Iran.