Narelle continues to disrupt Australia LNG despite its weakening from tropical cyclone
Ex-Tropical cyclone Narelle, which has been affecting Australia's Queensland state and Northern Territory since March 20, further affected production at two of Australia’s largest liquefied natural gas plants. The storm system was waning in the country's northwestern region. Narelle, which has been sweeping across Australia's Queensland and Northern Territory state since it made landfall on March 20 as a Category 4 tropical cyclone, hit Western Australia on Friday, affecting LNG plant run by Woodside and Chevron.
Narelle continues to disrupt Australia LNG despite its weakening from tropical cyclone
Narelle, the former tropical storm that weakened in Australia's north-west, continued to disrupt production at two of Australia’s largest liquefied?gas plants Saturday. Narelle, the category four tropical storm that has been ravaging Australia's Queensland and Northern Territory ever since it made landfall on?March 20th, hit Western Australia Thursday. It affected LNG plants operated by Chevron, Woodside, and others. The impact of the storm exacerbated an existing global supply crisis caused by the Iran War.
Zelenskiy: Ukraine reaching agreement on Middle East diesel supplies
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Friday that Kyiv is working to reach an agreement with Middle Eastern countries on diesel supplies, the type of fuel most in demand in the country. Zelenskiy spoke to a Ukrainian TV interviewer during a Middle Eastern tour. He had earlier said that Ukraine and Saudi Arabia had signed a defence cooperation agreement which lays the 'foundation for future contracts, technical cooperation and investment.
Inpasa, a corn ethanol producer, opens a new plant in Brazil
Inpasa, a corn ethanol producer in Brazil's Bahia State, announced?that it had started operating at its new facility. It aims to produce 470 million liters of biofuel per year. In an interview, Gustavo Mariano said that the plant was now operational and the company would have a supply within a few days. In recent years, corn ethanol production has increased dramatically in Brazil. This is a long-controlled industry by sugarcane farmers. Inpasa, which has plants in Paraguay & Brazil,?has expanded rapidly.
The Russian government has announced that the ban on gasoline imports will be implemented from April 1.
The Russian government reported that Alexander Novak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, had instructed his energy ministry on Friday to draft a resolution banning gasoline exports as of April 1, 2019. The state-run TASS reported earlier that the ban will remain in effect until July 31. Novak stated that the turmoil on 'the global oil market and its products, which is caused by a crisis in the Middle East has led to significant price changes. He also said that the demand for Russian energy resources on foreign markets is high.
Oil rally fails to boost drilling as services firms are squeezed
Oilfield services firms around the world are bracing themselves for a drop in earnings, as the Iran War?disrupts the energy infrastructure throughout the Middle East. Producers will hold off on new drilling until the higher oil prices have been proven to be durable. Brent's benchmark price has risen 53% in the past two months, just one day before Israel and the U.S. launched their strikes against?Iran. This makes oil and gas projects much more profitable and increases demand for crews and rigs.
Expana raises EU sunflower production forecast amid rising energy costs
Expana maintained its forecast of European Union 'rapeseed production in 2026 as?20.8 millions metric tons but increased?its forecast on?sunflower, as farmers turn to the less energy and fertiliser consuming crop amid rising prices. In a report published monthly, the consultancy increased its forecast of EU sunflower seed production for 2026/27 from 9.9 million metric tones in February. In the case of soybeans, it reduced its estimate from 3.2 to 3.1 millions tons.
West African Crude Flows Slow; Sellers Hold Cargoes Amid Hormuz Closure
West African crude oil trade for April-loading cargoes has slowed, despite shortages caused by the Iran war, as sellers reserve barrels for their own refineries unless particularly high bids emerge, four crude traders told Reuters.The unusual development is another sign of how the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which has effectively shut tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and forced Middle East producers Saudi Arabia…
Russia's Threatens to Divert LNG Cargo From Europe, Options Limited
Russia's threat to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Europe and divert cargoes to Asia would prove difficult to achieve because of its long-term contracts and need for more Arctic-class tankers, industry analysts said.President Vladimir Putin said in a TV interview early in March that Russia could stop gas supplies to Europe with immediate effect and seek longer-term commitments from other buyers.The impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has caused a surge in gas prices…
Official: Fuel and fertiliser price increases do not threaten Ukraine’s spring crop sowing
The deputy minister of Ukraine's economy said that a sharp rise in fuel prices and fertilizer due to the Iran War is not expected to disrupt Ukraine's spring planting of?grains? and other crops. Ukraine is one of the world's largest producers of grains and oilseeds, generating $22 billion in revenue from exports in 2025. However, its crop yields are heavily dependent on fertiliser usage. He added that the additional cost to farmers does not compromise the campaign.
Palm futures post fourth consecutive weekly gain
After losses earlier in week, Malaysian palm futures posted a fourth weekly gain. A softer ringgit helped support the market. However, uncertainty about the Middle East war and crude oil outlook capped gains. At close, the benchmark June palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange rose 47 ringgit or 1.03% to 4,630 Ringgit ($1,154.04) per metric ton. The contract?advanced by 0.41% in the past week. Paramalingam Supramaniam is a director of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari.
EUROPE GAS - European gas prices rise on the back of oil gains and low stock levels
The benchmark British and Dutch wholesale gasoline prices rose on Friday morning. This followed a rise in oil prices despite the fact that U.S. president Donald Trump had extended a pause to attacks against Iran's energy plants. The benchmark 'Dutch front month?contract was up 0.572 euro at 55.79 Euro per megawatt-hour (MWh) or about $18.80 a mmBtu at 0913 GMT. ICE data shows that the British April contract is now 140.13 pence for every?therm. This represents a 1.53-penny increase.
Taiwan freezes its electricity rates to maintain the industry's competitiveness and stabilize prices
The economy ministry announced 'on Friday that Taiwan won't raise its electricity prices for the time being, despite the fact that energy prices are higher due to the Middle East war. This is to maintain price stability and to keep the industrial competitiveness. The government is trying to limit price increases for consumers across the board to help reduce the impact of rising energy prices internationally, including heavily subsidising energy.
Document shows that the Japanese government has asked wholesalers to switch from Dubai to Brent pricing.
According to a document obtained by on Friday, the Japanese industry ministry has asked domestic wholesalers "to switch to Brent crude oil prices" from the Dubai benchmark when setting gasoline prices. This is an effort to limit price increases. This measure is one of many tools that Japan, which depends on the Middle East to provide?more?than 90% of its oil needs, has used in order to deal with the Iran War disruptions. The…
Iran has been seen as focusing on renewable energy investments with a focus on security and not climate.
Executives at the CERAWeek Conference in Houston said that energy security concerns, which once limited investment into renewable energy, could now accelerate its growth more than climate change worries. This is because oil and gas supplies are facing a new wave of uncertainty due to the war against Iran. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has?removed a?million barrels of oil per day from the global markets, causing energy…
Venture Global and Edison resolve arbitration dispute regarding early Calcasieu Pass gas sales
Venture Global and Edison announced on Thursday that?they?had?reached an agreement in order to settle a longstanding arbitration dispute relating to allegations that the American exporter liquified natural gas had failed to deliver contractual shipments to the Italian firm. The Edison settlement should be completed by the end June 2026 when the arbitration is formally ended, according to a statement released jointly by the two companies. They said that the agreement resolved the arbitration in its entirety.
India reduces special excise duty on petrol and diesel
India has slashed the special excise duty on 'petrol and diesel' as fuel prices remain volatile, with supplies being?stifled by the Iran war. The Indian Finance Ministry reduced the special excise tax on petrol from 13 rupees per litre to 3 rupees (US $0.0318) in a government order issued Thursday. The duty on diesel was also reduced to zero rupees from 10 rupees. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran?has resulted in a near-closure of Strait of Hormuz. This is a conduit for 40% of crude imports.
South Korea enforces naphtha export ban amid Middle East supply disruptions
The industry ministry announced that South Korea has begun enforcing an export ban on naphtha as it tries to ensure domestic supplies are not disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. This move will require refiners divert their exports to the local market, and the government can order the production and allocations of naphtha. Naphtha is a key feedstock for petrochemicals used in chip, autos, and plastics. South Korea imports about 45% its naphtha, 77% of which comes from the Middle East.
Sources say that India is looking for raw materials to make steel from Argentina, Indonesia and Oman
Two sources with direct knowledge said that India would hold talks next month with Argentina, Indonesia, and 'Oman to increase supplies of steelmaking raw materials like coking coal and ore and access technology. The talks ?are ?expected to begin next month at a global steel summit, described by the Indian government as the country's largest international conference-cum-exhibition, said the sources who did not wish to be identified as the plan was not yet public.
Palm vegoils gains on weakening ringgit but is set to end its three-week rally
Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Friday due to a weaker ringgit. However, they are on course for their first weekly decline in four weeks, as a result of uncertainty over the Middle East war and crude oil outlook. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange for June delivery had risen 19 ringgit (0.41%) to 4,602 Ringgit ($1,149.06), a metric tonne. The contract has fallen 0.30% this week. Paramalingam Supramaniam is the director of Selangor brokerage Pelindung Bestari.