Petrobras In Turmoil As Investors Digest Shake-up

(Argus, 22.Feb.2021) — The share price of Brazil’s Petrobras nosedived today after President Jair Bolsonaro moved to overhaul the state-controlled company’s management, heralding a return to state intervention and threatening to derail a $25bn-$35bn divestment plan. The stunning development sent shock waves through the company’s executive ranks and the investment […]

Politics To Forefront With Petrobras CEO’s Removal

(Fitch, 22.Feb.2021) — On 19 Feb. 2021 Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy requested that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.’s (Petrobras) board of directors replace the company’s CEO. Fitch Ratings views this change as potentially negative for the company’s cash flow generation and standalone credit profile (SCP), which Fitch currently assesses as […]

Petrobras On Samsung Leniency Deal

(Petrobras, 19.Feb.2021) — Petrobras has received R$360mn ($65mn) last week related to the leniency agreement executed by Samsung Heavy Industries. This cash arises from the first installment of the Samsung agreement of a total amount of R$705.9mn that will be applied to the reimbursement for Petrobras. With these values, Petrobras […]

Bolsonaro Says More Changes Underway

(Blooomberg, 19.Feb.2021) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said that more changes are underway after naming a former general to replace the University of Chicago-educated economist running state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA. The leadership change at Petrobras followed a feud with Bolsonaro over fuel prices after Petrobras adjusted them to align with […]

Petrobras CEO Fights Pressure To Resign

(Reuters, 19.Feb.2021) — The chief executive of Brazil’s state-led oil company Petrobras is trying to fight off President Jair Bolsonaro’s bid to oust him over his insistence on raising gasoline prices in line with international market hikes, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. The […]

Ecopetrol’s Reserves Fall To 1,770 MMboe At YE:20

(Ecopetrol, 19.Feb.2021) — Ecopetrol S.A.’s consolidated crude oil, condensates and natural gas proven reserves (1P reserves, according to the standard international denomination) as of 31 December 2020. Reserves were estimated based on US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) standards and methods. 99% of the reserves were audited by five recognized […]

YPF Comments On Rating Change By Fitch

(YPF, 19.Feb.2021) — In accordance with the requirements of the Argentine Securities Commission (CNV) Rules YPF informs that Fitch Ratings decided to raise the long-term issuer default rating of the company and the rating of the unsecured negotiable obligations (“Senior Unsecured Notes”) on an international scale, in each case from […]

Petrobras CEO Castello Branco Out, Luna In

(Energy Analytics Institute, 19.Feb.2021) — A shake up at Petrobras will see CEO Roberto Castello Branco being replaced by Joaquim Silva e Luna, according to Brazil’s mining and energy ministry. “The government decided to nominate Joaquim Silva e Luna to fulfill a new mission as board member and president of […]

Mexico Looks to Strengthen Energy Sector

(Energy Analytics Institute, 18.Feb.2021) — Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the recent Texas freeze that saw many residents in the state lose power and water service, demonstrated why his country needed to strengthen its energy sector. Highlights: The Texas storm that commenced Friday night 12 February 2021 froze […]

Diesel And Food In Venezuela

(Council on Foreign Relations, Elliott Abrams, 18.Feb.2021) — As part of the broad economic sanctions against the Maduro regime in Venezuela and especially the petroleum sector, the Trump administration barred swaps of Venezuelan crude oil for gasoline and diesel. There has been a debate over this step. The humanitarian argument […]

Orvana Announces Results Of Shareholders’ Meeting

(Orvana Minerals, 18.Feb.2021) — Orvana Minerals Corp. announced that, at its annual shareholders’ meeting held on 18 February 2021, the individuals noted below were elected as directors of the company. The report on proxies provided by the company’s transfer agent indicated the following: George Darling received 78,734,816 votes (representing 95.30% […]

IEnova Reports YE:20 And 4Q:20 Financial Results

(IEnova, 18.Feb.2021) — IEnova reported year-end and fourth quarter 2020 financial results. Highlights: – Top priority remains the health and safety of our employees while ensuring the continuity of safe and reliable operations – Full-year adjusted EBITDA up 7% to $1,006mn, meeting our 2020 Guidance – Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA of […]

Fitch Downgrades YPF’s IDRs To ‘RD’

(Fitch Ratings, 18.Feb.2021) — Fitch Ratings has downgraded YPF S.A.‘s Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘RD’ from ‘C’, due to the conclusion of its announced exchange offer. Fitch has simultaneously upgraded YPF’s Long-Term Local and Foreign Currency IDRs to ‘CCC’ from ‘RD’, and upgraded the […]

IENova To Host 4Q:20 Earnings Call

(IEnova, 18.Feb.2021) — IEnova announced plans to host its earnings call regarding its year-end and fourth quarter 2020 financial results. IEnova will broadcast a live discussion of its earnings results over the internet on Friday, 19 February 2021 at 11 a.m. ET with the company’s senior management. Access is available […]

Statement From Bondholder Group On Argentina

(The Ad Hoc Group of Argentina Exchange Bondholders, 17.Feb.2021) — The Ad Hoc Group of Argentina Exchange Bondholders today released the below statement containing its views on the current economic situation in Argentina and its government’s policies: Argentina’s Backdrop Should be Positive.  With a multi-decade restructuring of its external debt […]

Mexico Presses US To Guarantee Gas Supplies

(Reuters, 17.Feb.2021) — The Mexican government called the top U.S. representative in Mexico on Wednesday to press for natural gas supplies after the Texas governor ordered fuel to remain in the state during a freeze that has overwhelmed its energy grid. Already, earlier this week, natural gas supplies to Mexico […]

Frontera Releases Resources Details On Guyana Blocks

(Frontera, 16.Feb.2021) — Frontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc., joint venture partners, announced completion of an independent Prospective Resource study and report in respect of the Corentyne North Area, Corentyne Main Area and Demerara block, offshore Guyana. The Joint Venture is also pleased to announce the successful rescheduling of […]

Petrobras On Rating Maintenance By Fitch

(Petrobras, 16.Feb.2021) — Petrobras announces rating agency Fitch affirmed the ”BB-“ issuer default ratings for Petrobras, with a negative outlook, reflecting the agency’s opinion on the sovereign’s ratings. Petrobras stand-alone credit profile was also affirmed at “bbb”, 4 notches above the sovereign. Fitch highlighted the company’s strong capital structure, declining […]

Guyana Cautious On 2021 Oil Output, Price

(Argus, 15.Feb.2021) — Guyana forecasts average crude production of 109,000 b/d in 2021, 46.7pc above last year but short of initial expectations because of a recurring technical glitch. The government is predicting a 4pc year-on-year increase in the Brent crude price to around $43.9/bl, finance minister Ashni Singh said on […]

Petrobras On Inking PSA For RLAM

(Petrobras, 11.Feb.2021) — Petrobras, regarding a piece of news published on the media about the sale of the refineries, clarifies that the dates for the signing of the purchase and sale agreement and for their effective transfer to the buyers (respectively signing and closing) are merely internal estimates subject to […]

Guyana Re-engages India On Support For Renewables

(Guyana Times, 11.Feb.2021) — Guyana has re-engaged the Indian Government through The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to provide technological support in several sectors that will drive its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. President Dr Irfaan Ali made this announcement during his address to the World Sustainable Development […]

Venezuela Briefs: Oil Tankers, OPEC+ Meeting

(Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Feb.2021) — Venezuelan briefs related to the departure of oil tankers Era and Explorer from PDVSA’s Amuay refinery in Punto Fijo and Venezuela’s participation in recent OPEC+ discussions. Oil Tankers Depart Amuay For Singapore (Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Feb.2021) — The oil tankers Era and Explorer are said […]

Petrobras To Host 4Q:20 Results Webcast

(Petrobras, 10.Feb.2021) — Petrobras informs that on 25 February 2021 two webcasts will be held, the first in Portuguese and the second in English, to present the company’s results for the fourth quarter of 2020. Petrobras will use the Microsoft Teams tool (link below) for the event.  25 February 2021 […]

EP PetroEcuador Reveals Energy Efficiency Program

(Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Feb.2021) — Ecuador’s state oil company EP PetroEcuador announced details of its Energy Efficiency Program, which uses associated gas for electricity generation to optimize resources and minimize impacts on the environmental. According to details about the program, PetroEcuador achieved the following savings between June 2009 and December […]

Petrobras Concludes BSBios Divestment

(Petrobras, 9.Feb.2021) — Petrobras following up on the release disclosed on 23 December 2020, informs that its wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras Biocombustível S.A. (PBio) completed today the sale of all its shares (50% of the company’s capital) issued by BSBios Indústria e Comércio de Biodiesel Sul Brasil S/A (BSBios) to the […]

Hess To Market Guyana Oil

(Reuters, 9.Feb.2021) — U.S. oil producer Hess Corp has been selected to market two Guyana crude oil shipments as the emerging oil power seeks a permanent partner to handle its share of a major offshore oil find, the country’s vice president said on Tuesday. The South American country has became […]

Ecopetrol Updates On Offer To Acquire ISA Stock

(Ecopetrol, 8.Feb.2021) — Ecopetrol S.A,, pursuant to the provisions set forth in Article 5.2.4.1.6 – Decree 2555/2010, does hereby confirm the information published in several media outlets that last 5 February 2021, received a written communication issued by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, whom, among other things, announced […]

ExxonMobil Exploits Divisions In South America

(People’s World, 8.Feb.2021) — Tensions are rising between neighboring Guyana and Venezuela over a piece of land that has been disputed since at least 1835. Both Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro have exchanged sharp words about the status of the Essequibo region, which both countries claim. Since 1990, the two […]

Petrobras On RLAM And REPAR Divestments

(Petrobras, 8.Feb.2021) — Petrobras concluded the final round of the binding phase of the sale process of the Landulpho Alves Refinery (RLAM) and its associated logistics assets, in Bahia, in which Mubadala Capital presented the best final offer in an amount of $1.65bn. The signing of the purchase and sale […]