(Energy Analytics Institute, 9.Dec.2020) — Argentina’s Energy Secretariat Dario Martinez and the country’s Transport Minister Mario Meoni signed a collaboration deal to stimulate investments in electricity generation projects using renewable sources. The deal involves Trenes Argentinos and IEASA, Martinez announced 7 December 2020 in a post on Twitter. “We agree […]
Venezuela Oil Production To Average 600,000 b/d In 2021
(Energy Analytics Institute, 9.Dec.2020) — Crude oil production from OPEC member Venezuela is expected to average 600,000 barrels per day in 2021, according to new estimates revealed by Ecoanalitica. The Caracas-based economic consultancy also expects Venezuela’s oil basket price to average $37.50 per barrel in 2021. __________ By Piero Stewart. […]
UK Hosts African Ministers Energy Symposium
(UK’s Department for International Trade or DIT, 9.Dec.2020) — The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) on 3 December 2020, hosted the first ever UK-Africa Renewable Energy Ministerial Symposium to deepen UK-Africa collaboration in the renewable energy sector. Bringing together British and African leaders, the symposium created a platform to […]
Hydro-Québec Launches EVLO
(Hydro-Québec, 9.Dec.2020) — Hydro-Québec launched EVLO Energy Storage Inc. (EVLO), a subsidiary that designs, sells, and operates safe, efficient and sustainable energy storage systems. These storage systems are intended mainly for power producers, transmission providers and distributors, as well as the commercial and industrial markets for medium- and large-scale storage. […]
Petrobras Concludes Sale Of Onshore Fields
(Petrobras, 9.Dec.2020) — Petrobras, following up on the release disclosed on 03/09/2020, has concluded the sale of 100% of its stakes in four onshore fields, located in the Tucano Basin, in the countryside of the state of Bahia, to Eagle Exploração de Óleo e Gás Ltda (Eagle). After fulfilling all […]
US Applauds Interim Govt’s “People’s Vote”
(US State Department, 8.Dec.2020) — The United States continues to support Interim President Juan Guaidó, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people in their struggle to restore democracy in their country. From December 7 to 12, the Venezuelan people will have the opportunity to voice their opinion of the illegitimate […]
Trafigura Wins Bid To Import Premium Diesel
(Energy Analytics Institute, 8.Dec.2020) — Ecuador’s state entity EP PetroEcuador awarded Trafigura Pte. Ltd. a deal to import 2,800,000 barrels of premium diesel. Trafigura won the deal with a differential of plus $0.37 per barrel. Approximately 46 qualified companies were invited to participate in the bid, of which six submitted […]
Energy Capital Vietnam And Gunvor Form Trade JV
(ECV, 8.Dec.2020) — Energy Capital Vietnam (ECV), a US-based project holding and development company established in 2015 to serve as a platform for private investment into Vietnam, has announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) with Gunvor International BV (Gunvor), one of the world’s leading independent energy commodities trading […]
Moody’s Finalizes Ratings Review Of Govt Of Trinidad
(Global Credit Research, 8.Dec.2020) — Moody’s Investors Service reviews all of its ratings periodically in accordance with regulations — either annually or, in the case of governments and certain EU-based supranational organisations, semi-annually. This periodic review is unrelated to the requirement to specify calendar dates on which EU and certain […]
Trinidad’s LNG Output To Drop More On Gas Deficit
(Argus, 8.Dec.2020) — Trinidad and Tobago’s faltering LNG production will decline further in 2021 when 20pc of Atlantic’s liquefaction capacity undergoes an indefinite turnaround because of a natural gas shortage. Atlantic’s 3mn t/yr Train 1 will not be completely shut down in January, but the turnaround will put it “in […]
Chairman Risch On Fraud Elections In Venezuela
(US Senate, 7.Dec.2020) — US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on yesterday’s fraudulent congressional elections in Venezuela: “The Maduro regime’s dismantling of the National Assembly, the last remaining democratic institution in Venezuela, is shameful, but predictable. The absence of representative […]
Venezuelan Opposition Fills PdV Chair On Election Eve
(Argus, 7.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly named another oil industry veteran to chair a shadow board of Venezuela’s national oil company PdV. The key appointment comes on the eve of tomorrow’s disputed National Assembly elections that are widely expected to cement the power of President Nicolas Maduro. The US-backed […]
Venezuela’s New Assembly To Battle Sanctions
(Argus, 7.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s National Assembly elections yesterday thrust the Opec country’s last democratic institution under the thumb of President Nicolas Maduro, who has defied US oil sanctions for close to two years. The US-backed opposition led by Juan Guaido boycotted the elections, and abstention was estimated at around 80pc. […]
UAE Eases Oil Supply Cuts To Asia After OPEC+ Deal
(Bloomberg, 7.Dec.2020) — The United Arab Emirates will provide Asian oil buyers with a little more crude next month after OPEC+ reached a compromise deal on cuts. While OPEC’s third-largest producer will still reduce supply to Asia in January, the curbs won’t be as deep as this month in percentage […]
Venezuelans Vote In Legislative Election
(Al Jazeera, 6.Dec.2020) — Venezuelans voted on Sunday in legislative elections set to tighten President Nicolas Maduro’s grip on power and weaken his US-backed rival, Juan Guaido, who is leading a boycott of the polls he calls a fraud. Victory will give Maduro’s governing Socialist Party control of an expanded […]
EP PetroEcuador Excludes Vitol From List Of Providers
(Energy Analytics Institute, 6.Dec.2020) — EP PetroEcuador will exclude Vitol Inc. from its list of suppliers due to the recent corruption case under investigation in the United States with respect to the bribes made to Ecuadorian officials. As a result, Vitol will no longer be invited to participate in international […]
Venezuela’s Parliamentary Election: Change Expected
(Energy Analytics Institute, 6.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s National Assembly leader and Interim President Juan Guaido could be coming to the end of his short two-year reign this 6 December 2020 as the country its holds parliamentary election and selects a new leader to preside over the institution. Decisions by numerous factions […]
Insurance Companies Offer Coverage To PetroEcuador
(Energy Analytics Institute, 5.Dec.2020) — Representatives of insurance companies Latina and Hispana resolved to join forces and present a single offer to safeguard the integrity and safety of the people, property, and operations of the EP PetroEcuador. The joint offer was for approximately $53,450,817.62 and the execution term of the […]
Heard Venezuela: Iranian Asset Takeovers
(Energy Analytics Institute, 5.Dec.2020) — Rumors are that Iranian businesspersons and their companies are in the process of taking over operations at Venezuela’s six refineries while also looking to do the same at petrol stations across the OPEC country. Venezuela’s state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) owns six refineries […]
Dems Statement Ahead Of Elections In Venezuela
(US Senate, 4.Dec.2020) — US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) issued the following statement denouncing the Maduro regime’s sham elections scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 6. “For nearly two years, world leaders have stood in solidarity with […]
Gunvor Launches $540mn Biodiesel Borrowing Base
(Gunvor, 4.Dec.2020) — Gunvor Group successfully closed a new $540mn borrowing base facility to support the company’s biodiesel trading activity. The facility drew strong support among Gunvor’s banking partners, which align with its strategy to promote cleaner products with greener feedstock components complying with EU climate targets to reduce greenhouse […]
OPEC+ To Boost Output After Tense Negotiations
(WoodMac, 4.Dec.2020) — Tense negotiations and rumours of a rift between Saudi Arabia and UAE ended with a compromise deal for OPEC+ on 3 December 2020. Despite concerns on oversupply for Q1 2021, the group agreed to increase output by 500,000 b/d in January. Production restraint is set at minus […]
New Buyers Spur Rise In Venezuela Oil Exports
(Reuters, 3.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s oil exports almost doubled in November from the previous month as new customers linked to a Russian trading firm stepped in to boost purchases from state-run PDVSA amid U.S. sanctions, according to data from the firm and Refinitiv Eikon. In October, PDVSA’s established customers suspended swaps […]
Venezuela Eyes Oil Reform And Dialogue With US
(Reuters, 3.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party would consider reforming the country’s oil law if it retakes control of the legislature after the Dec. 6 election, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of the country’s president and a candidate for congress, said on Thursday. Maduro Guerra, 30, also said the government was […]
Heard Mexico: Braskem Ideas Shuts PE Complex
(Energy Analytics Institute, 3.Dec.2020) — Brazilian-based Braskem Idesa has shut down its Ethylene XXI polyethylene (PE) complex in the city of Coatzacoalcos, after a Mexican state energy agency shut off natural gas supplies from state owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). __________ By Ian Silverman. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights […]
Argentina Draws 16 Bids For Subsidized Gas Supply
(Argus, 3.Dec.2020) — Argentina received bids from 16 companies in a path-breaking auction to supply more than 70mn m3/d of natural gas at subsidized wellhead prices for power generation in 2021-24. The bids ranged from $2.40/mn Btu to $3.66/mn Btu, coming in below the maximum price of $3.70/mn Btu. Bids […]
Novum Energy Wins Bid To Import Cutter Stock
(Energy Analytics Institute, 2.Dec.2020) — Ecuador’s state entity EP PetroEcuador awarded Novum Energy Trading Corp. a deal to import 1,260,000 barrels of cutter stock. Novum won the deal with a differential of plus $6.86 per barrel. Approximately 35 qualified companies were invited to participate in the bid process, PetroEcuador announced […]
Sempra Announces Integrated Transactions
(Sempra, 2.Dec.2020) — Sempra Energy announced a series of integrated transactions intended to simplify its energy infrastructure investments under one platform – creating scale, unlocking portfolio synergies and better positioning the business for growth. To accomplish this, the company announced its intention to launch a stock-for-stock exchange offer for the […]
Petrobras Receives Bids On Four Refineries
(Petrobras, 2.Dec.2020) — Rio de Janeiro-based Petrobras, following up on the press release disclosed on 1 October 2020, has received binding proposals for four refineries: Landulpho Alves (RLAM), in Bahia, Isaac Sabbá (REMAN), in Amazonas, Lubrificantes e Derivados de Petróleo do Nordeste (LUBNOR), in Ceará, and Unidade de Industrialização do […]
Bright Future For Suriname And Guyana
(Petroleum Economist, 2.Dec.2020) — Crumbling oil prices and volatile energy demand have tipped Latin America into a sharp recession, exacerbated by one of the world’s worst Covid-19 mortality rates. But in Suriname and Guyana, at least, there are reasons to be cheerful. Although both countries face stark economic challenges, they […]
India Looks To Resume Iran, Venezuela Oil Imports
(Reuters, 2.Dec.2020) — India wants to diversify its oil imports, including the resumption of supplies from Iran and Venezuela, after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday. India was the key buyer of Iranian and Venezuelan oil before slashing purchases after President Donald Trump […]
Mexico Wins Over $2bn On Oil Hedge
(Bloomberg, 1.Dec.2020) — Mexico will cash in its oil price insurance policy this year for the fourth time only in the last two decades, receiving a payout of about $2.5 billion from its 2020 sovereign oil hedge, people familiar with the transaction said. In an ironic turn of events, Mexico […]
Fitch Affirms Ecopetrol’s Investment Grade Rating
(Ecopetrol, 1.Dec.2020) — Ecopetrol reports that rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed the company’s credit rating at BBB- with a negative outlook and its standalone credit profile (without incorporating government support) at bbb. In its statement, Fitch highlighted the company’s strategic importance for the country, its ability to maintain a […]
Local Businesses Assured Involvement In Oil Sector
(Guyana Standard, 1.Dec.2020) — President Dr. Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to ensure that local businesses are optimally involved in the oil and gas sector. The Head of State made this assertion during his address at the Virtual Guyana Oil and Gas Summit this morning. The two-day event […]
ANH Inks Three Deals In Third Cycle Nomination
(ANH, 1.Dec.2020) — Colombia’s National Hydrocarbons Agency – ANH signed 4 new contracts as a conclusion of the third cycle of the Continuous Area Nomination Process, PPAA. Parex Resources and CNE Oil & Gas were awarded four areas, with associated investments estimated at approximately $40mn. COMPANY AREA NAME MUNICIPALITY Parex […]
Gas-To-Energy Project To Bridge Oil And Gas: Guyana
(DPI, 1.Dec.2020) — Government’s gas to energy project is set to see development of new sectors and boost local traditional industries. Minister of Natural Resource, Hon. Vickram Bharrat shared this yesterday with regional and international officials attending the Caribbean Region Virtual Networking Event, organised by the U.S Commercial Service Trade […]
Venezuela Producing Around 450,000 b/d
(Energy Analytics Institute, 1.Dec.2020) — Venezuela is said to be producing around 450,000 barrels per day and exporting more with the assistance of Chinese and Russians companies lifting the South American country’s oil. Production could rise to at least 600,000 b/d in coming months, oil union official Ivan Freites told […]
BPC On Trinidad And Suriname Strategies
(BPC, 1.Dec.2020) — Bahamas Petroleum Company plc provided an update on its strategy, deliverables and 2021 work program for its portfolio of assets in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. The company’s work program priorities follow receipt of a Competent Person’s Report (CPR) by independent reserves auditor ERC Equipoise Pte Ltd […]
Petrobras On Favorable Arbitration Decision
(Petrobras, 1.Dec.2020) — Petrobras informs that it received, on this date, a favorable partial decision in one of the arbitrations proceeding before the Market Arbitration Chamber (CAM) of B3, initiated by foreign investors who claim financial losses caused by the facts revealed at Lava Jato. This decision promoted the definitive […]
Petrobras To Join Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE)
(Petrobras, 1.Dec.2020) — Petrobras will be part of B3 Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) again. The company will integrate the main Brazilian index under the aspect of corporate sustainability in 2021, which did not occur since 2008. “The return to ISE is a recognition of our efforts and initiatives in the […]
Venezuela Crude Production, Exports Recover
(Argus, 1.Dec.2020) — Venezuelan state-owned PdV’s crude production and exports have recovered in recent weeks as China resumed direct loadings and a tanker deficit the company blames on US sanctions eased, according to PdV officials and internal reports seen by Argus. PdV’s crude exports jumped to around 500,000 b/d last […]
Petrobras Comments On Gaspetro Divestment
(Petrobras, 30.Nov.2020) — Petrobras, following up on the release disclosed on 27 November 2020, regarding the divestment of Petrobras Gás S.A. (Gaspetro), clarifies that the company Compass Gás Energia S.A. (Compass) was not qualified for the continuation of the divestment process of 51% of Gaspetro capital stock for not meeting […]
Bahamas Petroleum Inks Goudron ESPC, Issues Shares
(BPC, 30.Nov.2020) — Bahamas Petroleum Company plc (BPC) advised the Goudron Enhanced Production Sharing Contract (ESPC) has been signed. As a consequence, the company will proceed to issue 35,759,140 new ordinary shares in BPC, the issue of which was conditional on signing of the Goudron EPSC. Goudron EPSC The company […]
Navitas Committed To Sea Lion Farm-in
(Rockhopper, 30.Nov.2020) — Rockhopper Exploration plc provided the following update in relation to the previously announced farm-in to the Sea Lion project by Navitas Petroleum LP. Following the announcement of the proposed merger of Premier Oil plc and Chrysaor Holdings Limited, Navitas has confirmed it remains committed to the proposed […]
TechnipFMC Starts Work on New Complex In Egypt
(TechnipFMC, 30.Nov.2020) — TechnipFMC has successfully completed the remaining conditions required to enable work to commence on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC) for the construction of a new Hydrocracking Complex for the Assiut refinery in Egypt. As previously announced, this major […]
Petrobras Day 2020 [PDF Download]
(Petrobras, 30.Nov.2020) — Rio de Janeiro-based Petrobras provided operational and financial details from its once yearly Petrobras Day. __________
Trump To Add SMIC And CNOOC To Defense Blacklist
(Reuters, 29.Nov.2020) — The Trump administration is poised to add China’s top chipmaker SMIC and national offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC to a blacklist of alleged Chinese military companies, according to a document and sources, curbing their access to U.S. investors and escalating tensions with Beijing weeks before President-elect […]
Rescheduling Of Work In Corentyne Block, Guyana
(Frontera, 27.Nov.2020) — Frontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc, the joint venture partners, announce that their constructive and collaborative discussions with the Government of Guyana have been concluded with respect to the Corentyne block with a rescheduling of the Joint Venture’s work commitments regarding its Petroleum Prospecting License for […]
USO Requests Investigation Into Ecopetrol Refinery Fire
(Energy Analytics Institute, 27.Nov.2020) — The Obrera Oil Union (USO) requested an investigation into the causes of the fire that occurred at Ecopetrol’s refinery in Barrancabermeja, Santander, announced RCN RadioBucaramanga on 27 November 2020 in a Twitter post. __________ By Piero Stewart. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
Compass Gas Energia Out Of Running For Gaspetro
(Energy Analytics Institute, 27.Nov.2020) — Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras announced that regarding divestment of Petrobras Gás S.A. (Gaspetro) that Compass Gás Energia S.A. wasn’t qualified for the continuation of the divestment process of 51% in Gaspetro’s capital stock. “This is a natural development in divestment projects, with no forecast […]