GKN's cancellation of plans for a magnet factory is a setback to Europe's goal for rare earths
GKN Powder Metallurgy scrapped plans to manufacture rare earth permanent'magnets' in Europe. Three sources familiar with the matter confirmed this, highlighting Europe’s struggle to create a domestic rare Earths?industry that can compete with China, the dominant producer. China controls 90% of the rare earth output processed and 70% of the mining production. Europe is being criticized for falling behind the U.S. when it comes to offering financial support to projects that develop its own supply.
Wartsila CEO sees boost from Trump Datacenter Push
The CEO of the Finnish energy company said that a push to have U.S. datacentres use their own power would boost the demand for Wartsila’s environmentally friendly products and?help support a "double digit" increase in the hiring of service staff over the next 2 years. The White House announced on Wednesday that it will meet with technology companies such as Microsoft and Amazon on March 4, to discuss a plan for protecting consumers from rising energy costs linked to the surge in demand?for AI-focused, datacenters.
Prices for gas in Europe are mixed as traders take into account geopolitical risks, weather and outages in Norway
The European benchmark wholesale gas price was mixed on Friday. Prices in Britain were higher due to outages in Norway, while Dutch prices were lower because of mild weather. This slightly offset concerns about a possible escalation? in the Middle East. LSEG data revealed that the Dutch March contract?at the TTF hub?was down 0.57 euros at 31,35 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $10.85/mmBtu by 0904 GMT. The contract for April dropped by 0.62 euro to 31.35 Euro/MWh. Prices rose in the British market.
Venezuela suspends 19 oil, gas production-sharing contracts signed under Maduro, sources say
Four sources familiar with the matter said that Venezuela's oil ministry suspended 19 contracts signed with private companies under the?administration? of President Nicolas Maduro. Sources say that the suspension of the contracts has not affected the oil and gas production in the country. The sources added that the state oil giant PDVSA sells the crude produced by the contracts even though they are suspended. Sources said that Washington and Caracas would review contracts and could recommend "revocating" some of them.
Venezuela suspends 19 oil, gas production-sharing contracts signed under Maduro government, sources say
Four sources with knowledge of the?move? said that Venezuela's Oil Ministry has suspended a total of?19 oil-production-sharing contracts signed by?private companies under President Nicolas Maduro. Sources say that the suspension of the contracts has not affected the oil and gas production in the country. The sources added that the state oil giant PDVSA continues to sell crude oil produced under these contracts even though they are suspended.
Cheniere increases buyback plan above $10 billion due to strong LNG demand
Cheniere Energy reported that its fourth-quarter profits more than doubled due to a?strong demand for liquefied gas (LNG). The company also raised its share repurchase goal from $10 billion until?2030. The largest LNG producer in the United States, the shares of this company are up 1.2% at $223. In premarket trading, shares of the largest?LNG producer in the?U.S. were up about 1.2% to $223. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. was the largest LNG exporter in the world last year.
Recent developments in Asia's ethanol targets
As they try to reduce their dependence on imported fuels and meet carbon emission targets, more countries in Asia Pacific are blending ethanol with gasoline. Indonesia, Asia's biggest gasoline importer plans to impose an mandatory bioethanol content level of 10% in?gasoline by 2028, according to energy ministry official,?Tri?Winarno. Check out the latest news on the use of blended fuels containing ethanol in the region. Indonesia has delayed its goal to mandate a 10% ethanol blend for gasoline (E10) from 2027 to 2028…
Sources say that OPEC+ will consider an increase in oil production of 137,000 bpd for April.
OPEC+ will likely consider?raising their oil output by 137,000 barrels a day for April. Three sources familiar with OPEC+'s thinking stated that the group is preparing for the peak summer demand as well as a price increase due to tensions between the U.S. After a three-month pause, the OPEC leader Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC+ countries such as Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan, are facing Western sanctions, while Kazakhstan is recovering from a series oil production setbacks.
Sources: Saudi Arabia increases oil production and exports to prepare for a US attack against Iran
Saudi Arabia has increased its oil exports and production as part of an emergency plan, in case a U.S. attack on Iran disrupts Middle East supplies. Two sources familiar with this plan told Reuters on Wednesday. The Saudi Government Media?Office did not respond immediately to a comment request on the plan. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has stated that he would consider a strike against Iran in order to press its leaders to agree to a deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.
Saipem is poised to return to Venezuela following the easing of U.S. sanctions
Alessandro Puliti, the chief executive of Italian oil contractor Saipem, said that it is prepared to resume operations in Venezuela after the lifting of U.S. sanction - as they expect demand from "oil majors" later this year. "Things are changing in Venezuela very quickly." We have worked in Venezuela in the past and are prepared to return as soon a client requests it," Puliti stated in a call following results. Puliti stated that contracts could be awarded by both U.S. and international oil companies.
The US AI boom is facing an electric shock
The race for artificial intelligence dominance by Big Tech may hit a snag soon as U.S. power grids struggle to keep up with hyperscalers who spend a lot of money. Microsoft, Amazon Alphabet, and Meta are among the technology giants in America that have announced in recent months plans to spend over $600 billion in AI by 2026. Investors are already unsure about the viability of this strategy due to the investment wave. The ambitious U.S.
EOG Resources exceeds profit expectations on the back of strong production and higher gas prices
EOG Resources beat estimates for the fourth quarter profit on Tuesday as higher natgas and output prices offset a drop in crude oil prices. U.S. Natural Gas Futures increased over 11% sequentially during the fourth quarter. This was due to stronger demand, and an increase in pipeline volumes. The rise ended a downward trend that began in the second quarter because of record U.S. Production. EOG said it produced approximately…
Solar dominates import seizures following US ban on Chinese products made with forced labor
According to the latest data released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, solar panels account for the majority of the value in shipments that are stopped at the U.S. border as a result of a law passed in 2021 banning goods made with Chinese forced labour. These data are the first to provide a detailed breakdown of the?types?of products that CBP has stopped since the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed by the former president Joe Biden. They confirm that the solar industry will be the most affected.
The US imposes preliminary duties on solar imports originating from India, Indonesia and Laos
The U.S. Commerce Department announced Tuesday countervailing duty?on solar panels and cells imported by a?companies from India, Indonesia, and Laos?in an effort to counter subsidies supporting Asian industries. The decision was made by U.S. Trade officials who sided with the domestic solar factory owners, finding that the companies in the three countries had received government subsidies which rendered American products uncompetitive.
As global pressure increases, German Chancellor Merz travels to China in search of opportunities
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting China this week. He is the latest European leader to seek a reset of relations with Beijing following a year which exposed the 'crumbling' of their alliance with?the United States. The collapse of their alliance with the United States was exposed in a year that revealed vulnerabilities within their supply chains. Merz is leading a delegation that includes some of Germany's top business leaders. This includes the heads of Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
US producer Continental claims that the shale resource in Argentina could be "another Permian".
Continental Resources CEO Doug Lawler stated on Tuesday that Argentina's shale resource might be similar to the size of the Permian Basin in the United States. Lawler, a U.S. oil company, said that the oil production potential in Argentina could be as high as 1.5 to 2 million barrels a day within the next few years. Continental increased its stake in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale basin last month by purchasing a non-operating share in four blocks.
Congo replaces Gecamines as leader amid mineral talks with US
The government announced on Monday that the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has replaced Gecamines' chief executive and?board?chair. This is a major shakeup at a time of negotiations with Washington regarding a mineral deal. According to a statement read out on state television, Deogratias Ngele Masudi will be the new chairperson and Baraka Kabemba the chief executive. The statement stated that former Gecamines chairman Guy Robert Lukama was appointed CEO of the Kilo-Moto Gold Mining Company.
Palm falls overnight on weakness in Chicago soyoil; ringgit firmer
Malaysian palm futures continued to decline on Monday. They were weighed down by weaker crude oil, overnight weakness in Chicago soyoil and a stronger ringgit. The benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for May delivery lost 8 ringgit or 0.2% to close at 4,084 Ringgit ($1,050.41) per metric ton. The dollar strengthened by 0.31%, increasing the price of the palm for foreign currency buyers. The Chicago Board of Trade soyoil price rose by 0.73%, after falling by 1.31% the previous session.
Palm falls overnight on weakness in Chicago soyoil; ringgit firmer
Malaysian palm futures continued to fall on Monday. They were weighed down by weaker crude oil, overnight weakness in Chicago soyoil and a stronger ringgit. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange had fallen 29 ringgit or 0.71% to 4,063 Ringgit ($1,044.74) per metric ton. The dollar strengthened by 0.28%, increasing the price of the palm for foreign currency buyers. The Chicago Board of Trade soyoil price rose by 0.62%, after falling by 1.31% the previous session.
Indonesian Pertamina will continue to bid for US energy imports
Pertamina, the Indonesian state oil and gas company, said on Friday that imports of energy products from the U.S. will still be done 'through a competitive bidding process' following the conclusion of the trade agreement between the two nations. On Thursday, Indonesia and the U.S. signed a deal that reduced U.S. tariffs from 32% to 19%. Indonesia plans to import goods and services worth $38,4 billion from the U.S. This includes $15 billion in energy commodities.