Maha Capital asks for US approval to purchase stake in Venezuelan oil company
Paulo Thiago Mendonca is the chairman of Maha Capital's board. He said that the United States has approved the acquisition of an indirect minority stake in a PDVSA controlled oil company. The firm has until the end of May to "exercise" an option to acquire a majority stake. Novonor is a subsidiary that owns 40% PetroUrdaneta - a small oil company in Venezuela with underdeveloped oilfields. Maha's deal, if finalized, would be one of the first foreign firms to enter the Venezuelan oil sector after U.S.
Syria tightens its grip after Kurdish withdrawal, IS jail attack reported
On Monday, Syrian government forces tightened their grip across a large swath of territory in the north and east that had been abruptly abandoned by Kurdish troops on Sunday. This was a dramatic change which solidified President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, once the main U.S. ally in Syria, have agreed to a 'withdrawal from two Arab majority provinces that they controlled for many years. On Monday, there were reports of fighting despite the agreement.
After abrupt Kurdish retreat, Syrian troops consolidate their hold
On Monday, Syrian government forces tightened their grip across a large swath of territory in the north and east that was abruptly abandoned by Kurdish troops on Sunday. This dramatic change solidified President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. After fighting for days with the government, the Kurdish led?Syrian Democratic Forces, (SDF), which were once the main U.S. Allies in Syria, decided on Sunday to withdraw. This includes oil fields from two provinces that had a majority of Arabs.
VEGOILS - Palm flat due to China canola tariff reduction, Indonesia B50 cancellation weighing
Malaysian palm futures were not much changed on Monday as China's plans for a reduction in import?tariffs of Canadian canola, and Indonesia's decision to cancel its B50 'biodiesel' mandate, weighed on market. However, upcoming festival demand lent some support. At the close, the benchmark April palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange fell 3 ringgit or 0.07% to 4,069 Ringgit ($1,004.20), a metric tonne. The contract increased by 2.31% on Saturday.
China's crude and gas production, refinery throughput in 2025 will reach new heights
Government data released on Monday showed that China's crude oil production and refinery throughput will both reach new highs in 2025, with crude oil growth of 1.5% and 4.1% respectively. National Bureau of Statistics reported that the world's second-largest oil consumer will process 737.59 metric tons of crude oil in 2025. Calculations showed that this is equivalent to?about?14.75million barrels per day (bpd) and surpasses the previous record set in 2023 of 14.7million bpd. Jianan Sun is an analyst with Energy Aspects.
Trump purchases $100 million in bonds from Netflix and Warner Bros.
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, purchased around $100 million worth of municipal and corporate bonds between mid-November and late December. This included up to $2,000,000 in bonds for 'Netflix' or Warner Bros Discovery, just weeks after these companies announced their merger. Trump bought municipal bonds from local school districts, hospitals, and utilities. He also purchased bonds from Boeing, Occidental Petroleum, and General Motors.
What excites and concerns LNG exporters by 2026? Maguire
In 2025, the LNG industry will make history after exports and production of super-chilled fuel broke records and generated billions in revenue across the global supply chain. Gas sellers were encouraged by the 25% increase in LNG purchases in Europe. This was an important development and raised expectations that gas consumption in countries like Germany, Italy and United Kingdom will continue to grow in 2026. Three of the five largest LNG buyers in the world - all from Asia - are reducing their imports…
What excites and concerns LNG exporters by 2026? Maguire
In 2025, the LNG industry will make history after the production and exports of super-chilled fuel broke records and generated billions in revenue across the global supply chain of liquefied gas. The 25% increase in LNG purchases in Europe was a major highlight. This gave gas sellers hope that gas consumption in countries like Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom will continue to grow in 2026. Three of the top five LNG buyers - all in Asia - are reducing their imports…
Sources: Devon Energy and Coterra Energy, two US shale producers, are in merger talks.
Three people with knowledge of the matter have confirmed that Devon Energy and Coterra Energy are looking at a possible merger. This could result in one of the biggest independent shale producers in the United States. The combination would be among the biggest between U.S. producers of energy in recent years. This comes at a time when U.S. crude oil prices are under pressure from a global glut in the near term and the prospect that Venezuela will increase its supply to the market over the next few years.
Sources: Devon Energy and Coterra Energy, two US shale producers, are in merger talks.
People familiar with the matter have confirmed that Devon Energy and Coterra Energy were exploring the possibility of merging, which could result in one of the biggest independent shale producers in the United States. The U.S. oil market is still under pressure from the?near term global oil glut, and Venezuela's increased supply in the coming years. Sources said that the two companies were in early stage talks about a merger. They cautioned, however, that a deal was not guaranteed.
Rio Tinto will supply copper to Amazon to build AI data centers
Rio Tinto announced on Thursday that it will supply copper it leaches from a mine in Arizona to Amazon.com, for use in its artificial intelligence data centers. The move highlights the rampant demand by?the?AI industry to access supplies of copper and critical minerals used in building wiring, cables and circuit boards, and other electronic components. Analysts have warned that supplies may fall short and a rush is underway to ensure access.
Sources say that Repsol, Maurel & Prom are applying to the US for licenses to export Venezuelan crude oil.
Five industry sources have confirmed that several?European oil companies, including Spain's Repsol, France's Maurel & Prom and France's Repsol, have applied to the United States for licenses or authorizations in order to export Venezuelan oil. Two sources confirmed that the terms requested are similar to the ones Washington granted in the past, which allowed companies to import and export Venezuelan crude oil to their refineries, as well as to other customers.
MOL, the Hungarian company, could soon sign a first deal to purchase a stake in Serbian NIS
Peter Szijjarto, the Hungarian foreign minister, said that the Hungarian oil company MOL will sign the first important deal in its negotiations to purchase a majority stake of the Serbian oil company NIS owned by Russia in the next few days. After meeting with the Serbian energy minister in Belgrade, Szijjarto gave a briefing saying that the United States would be notified once the first deal between MOL Neft and Gazprom is signed. This submission is crucial as the U.S.
Energy Capital to sell 2.6 GW gas plants to Talen Energy for $3.45 Billion
Talen Energy announced?on Thursday that it would purchase about 2.6 gigawatts of natural gas-fired generating capacity from private 'equity firm - Energy Capital Partners, for $3.45 Billion. This will double its annual production and strengthen its position in PJM markets in the Mid-Atlantic region and Midwest U.S. In premarket trading, shares of Talen increased by about 10%. The United States' power demand is expected to reach record levels by 2026.
Saudi Aramco signs long-term supply agreement with Commonwealth LNG
Three people with knowledge of the deal say that 'Saudi Aramco signed a contract with Commonwealth LNG for the U.S. LNG company to supply 1 million metric tons per annum. Saudi Aramco has the option to double its volume up to 2 mtpa. Saudi Aramco aims to be a major player in the liquefied gas industry, particularly in the United States, where capacity for LNG is expected to double within four years. It has signed agreements with other U.S. companies, including NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG Project.
Brazil's Soy Exports will Hit Record High for January, Grain Exporting Group Says
The grains exporting group Anec predicted on Tuesday that Brazilian soybean exports would reach nearly four million tonnes in January, a new record. Anec reported that traders in Brazil will export an estimated 3,73 million tons of oilseeds this month. This is about 1.3 millions tons more than was estimated last week. Farmers have only just started harvesting the 2026 crop. The company cited revised shipping schedules as the reason for its decision to increase the projections for January.
Canadian oil tycoon suggests US aid in Venezuela's oil revolution
The Canadian oil tycoon, who is the head of one of North America's fastest growing oil companies, wants his country to "lend" its heavy oil expertise to America as it tries to rebuild Venezuela's petroleum industry. Adam Waterous is the executive chairman of Strathcona Resource. He said that Canada's experience in extracting oil from sands crude makes it uniquely qualified to help Venezuela, which also produces heavy oil. STRATHCONA IS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICAL TEAMS President Donald Trump invited U.S.
Canadian oil tycoon suggests US aid in Venezuela's oil revolution
The Canadian tycoon, who is the executive chair of one of North America’s fastest-growing oil companies, wants his country to lend their heavy oil 'expertise' to the United States in order to help rebuild Venezuela's industry. Adam Waterous, executive chair of Strathcona, says Canada is uniquely qualified to help Venezuela because of its decades of experience in extracting heavy oil from oil sands. STRATHCONA IS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICAL TEAM Last week, President Donald Trump invited U.S.
EIA: US oil drilling will slow down as prices fall, Venezuela's growth could increase pressure
Energy Information Administration reported on Tuesday that lower oil prices will reduce U.S. drilling activity and reduce production by 1% in the United States this year, while a possible increase in Venezuelan output could add to the pressure. The Department of Energy's statistics arm's comments add to the concerns expressed by some U.S. producers regarding President Donald Trump's call for domestic oil companies to enter Venezuela to help increase its production after President Nicolas Maduro was captured. U.S.
Oil Prices Surge Ahead of Possible Iranian Supply Disruptions
Oil prices surged by about 3% on Tuesday as the prospect of disruptions to Iranian crude exports overshadowed possible increased supply from Venezuela.Brent futures LCOc1 jumped $1.88, or 2.9%, to $65.75 a barrel by 11:07 a.m. EST (1607 GMT), hovering around a three-month high. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 climbed $1.79, or about 3%, to $61.29."The oil market is building in some price protection against geopolitical drivers…