(S&P Global, 31.Dec.2020) — Brazil needs to continue making important oil industry reforms in 2021 to remain as one of the world’s top destinations for investments amid heated global competition and uncertainties about the coronavirus pandemic, according to government and industry officials. The efforts will come during a period of […]
Tag: Coronavirus
Pemex To Begin 2021 Oil Hedge Contracting Soon
(Reuters, 26.Nov.2020) — Mexican oil giant Pemex is about to start the process of contracting an oil hedge for 2021, a senior source at the company told Reuters, after the previous two hedges delivered bumper payouts for the highly-indebted company. Pemex’s hedge is separate and much smaller than the one […]
UK’s Global Witness Urges Guyana Renegotiate Oil Deal
(Caribnews, 18.Aug.2020) — The United Kingdom-based, anti-corruption organization Global Witness yesterday called on the new Government here to immediately investigate and renegotiate the US-owned oil giant Exxon’s exploitative oil license to ensure the country has the funds needed to rebuild after divisive elections and a debilitating novel coronavirus pandemic. In […]
Oil Cos. Wonder If It’s Worth Looking For Oil Anymore
(Bloomberg, 16.Aug.2020) — A few dots near the bottom corner of the world map in the southern Atlantic, the Falkland Islands were once at the forefront of a new era for the oil industry as companies scoured the planet for resources. Yet a decade after the discovery of as much […]
ExxonMobil Secures Another LT Vaca Muerta Concession
(Argus, 14.Aug.2020) — ExxonMobil has been awarded a 35-year concession for another block in Vaca Muerta, a massive shale play that has been driving the company’s growth in oil and natural gas production in Argentina. The government of Neuquen, a southwestern province where most of the play is located, said […]
Trump Hits Wall With Bid To Place Ally At LatAm Bank
(Bloomberg, 7.Aug.2020) — Mexico called for delaying the election of a new chief for a key Latin American development bank amid controversy caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to have a close ally at the helm of the institution. Mexico’s finance ministry announced Friday its support for a postponement […]
Investors Want To Know: Colombia’s Negative Outlook
(Fitch Ratings, 22.Jul.2020) — Colombia’s sovereign metrics have deteriorated further since its April downgrade to ‘BBB-‘, underpinning the range of downside risks reflected in the country’s Negative Rating Outlook, says Fitch Ratings. The growth outlook and debt trajectory are particularly key for the rating, with growth facing significant downside risks […]
Fernandez To Creditors: ‘We Can’t Do Any More’
(FT.com, 19.Jul.2020) —Alberto Fernández, Argentina’s president, has made an impassioned appeal for the world to accept that — with an economy devastated by coronavirus — he cannot budge from his final offer to restructure $65bn of foreign debt. Weighed down by $323bn of borrowing, Argentina was already in a deep […]
Siemens To Establish Mobile Working As “New Normal”
(Siemens, 16.Jul.2020) — Siemens will establish mobile working as a core component of its “new normal” and will make it a permanent standard, both during the global pandemic and beyond. The company’s Managing Board has now approved implementation of a corresponding model. The aim is to enable employees worldwide to […]
Petrobras To Cut Over 20% Of Workforce
(Reuters, 1.Jul.2020) — Some 10,000 employees of Brazil’s Petrobras, or 22% of its workforce, have accepted voluntary buyouts, Chief Executive Roberto Castello Branco said on Wednesday, as the state-run oil company intensifies its quest to slim down and refocus on core businesses. In a webinar hosted by Brazilian newspaper Valor […]
Brazil’s Refinery Utilization Rate Stable
(S&P Global Platts, 30.Jun.2020) — Brazil’s refineries returned close to pre-pandemic levels in June, despite several incidents at processing units across Latin America’s biggest country that led to output volatility during the month, the Mines and Energy Ministry said June 30. State-led oil company Petrobras, which operates 98% of Brazil’s […]
Argentina Puts Damper On Oil Demand, Production
(S&P Global Platts, 26.Jun.2020) — Argentina has extended a 99-day-old economic lockdown for three more weeks to try to contain a surge in coronavirus cases, including by tightening restrictions on people’s movements in densely populated parts of the country, a decision seen as cutting oil demand and production that had […]
Argentina Weighs New Price Subsidy, Freezes Gas Tariffs
(WoodMac, 24.Jun.2920) — Gas pricing and market regulation are again under discussion in Argentina. The coronavirus pandemic has weakened an already vulnerable economy, with the impact felt in the gas market. To maintain low gas prices for end-users, the new administration has imposed a tariff freeze until the end of […]
Keith Rowley’s Address – Energy, Renewables Event
(Trinidad Prime Minister, 24.Jun.2020) — Prime Minister Dr the Hon Keith Rowley’s Feature Address – Energy Efficiency and Renewables Conference 2020. Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good morning to you all. I am once again honoured to be among such a knowledgeable gathering, even if it has to be in […]
Exxon Reduces Guyana Crude Production
(Tudor Pickering, 16.Jun.2020) — Reports out last night that XOM was forced to reduce output at its Liza Phase 1 project in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana due to an issue with equipment designed to limit excessive flaring by reinjecting produced gas back into the reservoir. In order to comply […]
Exxon Oil Output Falls On Gas Compressor Problem
(Stabroek News, 7.Jun.2020) — Production at Exxon-Mobil’s Liza-1 project in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, has plummeted from 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) to now between 25,000 and 30,000 bpd as compressor problems continue and the company would not increase flaring above about 15 million cubic feet of natural gas […]
CNH Again Extends Timeframe For Oil Permits
(Reuters, 4.Jun.2020) — Mexico’s oil regulator will allow energy firms more time to secure permits and plan approvals, it said in on Thursday, in effect extending a freeze on all deadlines until the government determines it is safe to resume official work. The latest extension due to the coronavirus pandemic […]
Global LNG Demand Faces Seasonal Contraction
(WoodMac, 2.Jun.2020) — The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry is about to face its first seasonal demand contraction since 2012, with demand in summer 2020 expected to fall 2.7% or 3 million tonnes (Mt) year-on-year, says Wood Mackenzie. Lockdown measures and negative economic outlook stemming from the coronavirus pandemic […]
Fitch Affirms Raizen’s IDRs At ‘BBB’; Outlook Negative
(Fitch Ratings, 28.May.2020) — Fitch Ratings has affirmed Raizen Combustiveis S.A.’s and Raizen Energia S.A.’s Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at ‘BBB’ and National Long-Term Ratings at ‘AAA(bra)’. Fitch has also affirmed the rating of Raizen Fuels Finance S.A.’s senior unsecured noted due 2027 at ‘BBB’. […]
Mexico’s Registers $3.09bn April Trade Deficit
(Market Watch, 25.May.2020) — Mexico ran up a $3.09 billion trade deficit in April as the shutdown of many industries to counter the spread of the coronavirus and the drop in world oil prices led to steep declines in both exports and imports. Exports last month fell 41% from April […]
Covid-19 Crisis Could Crush Brazil’s Oil Boom
(Oilprice.com, 20.May.2020) — The coronavirus is spreading like wildfire in Brazil, and the country’s oil industry could get dragged down with it. “Brazil has the worst COVID growth rate of any G20 country: the pandemic is totally out of control,” Raymond James wrote in a report, explaining its reason for […]
Argentina Sets Oil At $45/bbl To Shield Domestic Sector
(Reuters, 19.May.2020) — Argentina’s government set the local crude oil reference price at $45 per barrel on Tuesday in a bid to protect the country’s hard-hit sector from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and low global prices. Reuters reported in April that Argentina was planning to set a higher […]
Argentina Set $45/bbl Reference Oil Price
(S&P Global Platts, 18.May.2020) — Argentina’s move to set a $45/b domestic crude oil reference price this week has brought cheer to some oil producers, but analysts say it may take a couple of years to rebuild production, following its plunge in April, as companies keep to the sidelines because […]
Petrobras Comments On Internal Event News
(Petrobras, 8.May.2020) — Petrobras in view of the news published today in the media regarding the meeting held on 05/06/2020 by the Executive Board in an internal event with the company’s employees, clarifies that it has been keeping the market informed about the actions on resilience adopted due to the […]
Petrobras Reaches Oil Export Record In April
(Petrobras, 4.May.2020) — Petrobras exported 1 million barrels of oil per day in April. This represents a new oil export record and contributes to strengthening the company’s cash flow. The previous record was 771 thousand barrels per day, set in December 2019. The result occurs in a challenging period of […]
Global LNG Demand Resilient Amid COVID-19
(IHSMarkit, 30.Apr.2020) — The COVID19 pandemic has led to lockdowns across the globe and severe downgrades for short-term macroeconomic indicators. A major re-evaluation is needed for the supply and demand of each traded commodity and LNG is no exception. It is clear that natural gas demand will be negatively affected, […]
Even At $10/bbl, Traders Balk At Buying Nigeria’s Oil
(Bloomberg, 28.Apr.2020) — The oil price crash isn’t getting any easier for Nigeria. Late on Monday, the nation released the prices for most of its crude oil grades for sale in May. The figures reflect an urgent need to offload cargoes in what is a highly competitive marketplace. Even so, […]
Mexican Oil Platforms Cut Staff Over Coronavirus
(Reuters, 26.Apr.2020) — Mexico has begun removing staff from Gulf of Mexico oil platforms to limit the spread of the coronavirus, leaving essential personnel on board, state oil firm Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) said on Sunday. Pemex said in a statement that workers had started coming off the rigs as Mexico […]
Core Lab Reports 1Q:20 Results
(Core Lab, 22.Apr.2020) — Core Laboratories N.V. reported that continuing operations resulted in first quarter 2020 revenue of $152,400,000. The financial results for the first quarter of 2020 include a non-cash charge of $122,000,000 for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in the Production Enhancement segment, a charge of […]
Petrobras Eyes Restart Oil Ships Hit By Coronavirus
(Reuters, 17.Apr.2020) — Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras plans to restart operations in the coming days at two ships used in offshore oil production that suffered coronavirus outbreaks, an executive told journalists during a call on Friday. Petrobras Exploration and Production Director Carlos Alberto de Oliveira said operations at the […]
Brazil Battles Coronavirus Cases On Offshore Rigs
(Reuters, 14.Apr.2020) — There have been 126 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among oil and gas workers in Brazil, including 74 people who were recently on offshore oil platforms, regulator ANP told Reuters on Tuesday, exposing an outbreak far worse than previously thought. The regulator said via email that as […]
Pemex Platform Worker Infected With Coronavirus
(Reuters, 13.Apr.2020) — At least one worker at Mexican state oil company Pemex’s Abkatun-A processing center, in shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico, has been diagnosed with coronavirus, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. At the end of last week, executives from Abkatun-A reported internally that […]
Barrancabermeja Unit Halted After Covid-19 Death
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 11.Apr.2020) — Colombia’s state oil company Ecopetrol was forced to halt work at its Barrancabermeja refinery due to the death of an employee due to coronavirus. “We made the decision to shut down the UOPII cracking unit for comprehensive disinfection,” reported Colombia media outlet Caracol, […]
YPF Slashes Vaca Muerta Output: Rio Negro Reports
(Reuters, 9.Apr.2020) — Argentine state energy firm YPF has cut production by around half at its giant Vaca Muerta shale development Loma Campana due to a slump in demand amid the global coronavirus pandemic and a nationwide lockdown, local media reported on Thursday. Loma Campana is the most important development […]
Collapsing Demand Sets Terms In OPEC+ Battle
(WoodMac, 9.Apr.2020) — Since OPEC+’s failure to agree on production restraint on 5-6 March, the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic have become far clearer, sparking a crisis in the oil market as prices fell and supply ramped up. The problem for these producers is the scale of the fall in […]
LatAm Offshore Activity To Slip Due To COVID-19
(IHS, 9.Apr.2020) — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its spread across the globe, the oil and gas industry has put into practice new procedures and processes to help mitigate potential infection to its workers. In our talks with O&G players, operators and contractors alike, we are hearing about increased port […]
Villavicencio Initiates VillaBici Transport Options
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 7.Apr.2020) — Under the framework of World Health Day, the Villavicencio Municipal Mobility Secretariat continues with an initiative dubbed ‘VillaBici’ which provides alternative transportation options for nurses, doctors, cleaners, administrators and caretakers of health entities during the region’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus […]
S&P Changes Petrobras’ Rating To Stable
(Petrobras, 7.Apr.2020) — Petrobras informs that S&P Global Ratings Agency (S&P) has changed the company’s global credit rating outlook from positive to stable, and has kept the risk level (rating) of corporate debt at “BB-“. Yesterday the agency revised Brazil’s global credit rating outlook to stable due to the impact […]
Crisis Stricken Venezuela Faces Mounting Pressure
(Oilprice.com, 6.Apr.2020) — Over the past weeks, the Trump Administration has tightened the noose around Nicolas Maduro’s regime, increasing pressure on the country sitting on top of the world’s largest oil reserves. Venezuela is already reeling from a years-long economic disaster that has slashed its crude oil production in recent […]
Triple Whammy: Oil Crash, Covid-19, LNG Oversupply
(WoodMac, 1.Apr.2020) — In its latest short-term gas and LNG outlook report, Wood Mackenzie weighs the risks coronavirus, sustained low oil prices and LNG oversupply pose to the sector this year. Wood Mackenzie research director Robert Sims said: “While the collapse of LNG prices towards US production break-evens was foreseeable, […]
Caribbean Facing Less Bright Future For Oil And Gas
(Jamaica Gleaner, 29.Mar.2020) — Just a few weeks ago it was possible for Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, to indicate in a major speech, that the Caribbean as whole had a potentially very bright future as a major western hemisphere oil and gas supplier. He had good […]
PetroPeru Continues Ops Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
(Energy Analytics Institute, Ian Silverman, 29.Mar.2020) — Personal with PetroPeru at the company’s Talara installations and others in Peru continue to work 24 hours a day with aim to ensure the supply of fuels across the South American country’s entire territory during this coronavirus health emergency, the company announced 29 […]
Falling LatAam Fuel Demand Leaves Hurt US Refiners
(Reuters, 27.Mar.2020) — Demand for refined products in Latin America is quickly drying up as the coronavirus pandemic worsens, leaving U.S. refiners without their primary export destination as the virus spreads. The crisis has nearly shut down worldwide air travel and is destroying fuel demand, which could fall by 15% […]
Citgo Foundation To Support Covid-19 Efforts In Venezuela
(Citgo, 26.Mar.2020) — The Simón Bolívar Foundation Inc. (SBF), the non-profit, private foundation of Citgo Petroleum Corporation, is launching a special round of its small grants program to help alleviate the damaging effects of the Covid-19 crisis in Venezuela. Non-profit organizations working in Venezuela are critical right now, given the […]
Petrobras Cuts Capex, Output By 100,000 B/D
(Petrobras, 26.Mar.2020) — Petrobras hereby provides an update to the market on the measures that have been taken by the company in view of the impacts of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the oil prices shock. The company announced a range of measures to preserve the health of its employees […]
YPF Inks Deals With Ministries For Truckers
(Energy Analytics Institute, Aaron Simonsky, 25.Mar.2020) — YPF President Guillermo Nielsen signed an agreement with the representatives from Argentina’s ministries of Transportation, Security, Health, Interior and Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; the National Commission for Transport Regulation; and the National Federation of Truck Workers, among other entities of the sector, to […]
IMF Managing Dir. Kristalina Georgieva On Argentina
(IMF, 20.Mar.2020) — At the request of the Argentine authorities and reflecting close collaboration with them, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released today a technical note prepared by IMF staff on Argentina’s public debt sustainability. The technical note sets out staff’s views on a feasible macroeconomic framework and on Argentina’s […]
Columbus Ops In Trinidad Unaffected By Covid-19
(Alliance News, 17.Mar.2020) — Columbus Energy Resources PLC on Tuesday said operations in Trinidad are “largely unaffected” and remain open. The oil & gas producer and explorer said as of Monday, Trinidad & Tobago has four confirmed cased of coronavirus, with no fatalities. However, the government has implemented a range […]
Petrobras Reduces Workforce Amid Virus
(S&P Global Platts, 17.Mar.2020) — Brazilian state-led oil company Petrobras slashed administrative staff by at least 50%, including at operations units such as refineries and production facilities, amid expanding efforts across Latin America’s biggest country to limit social contact and avoid dissemination of COVID-19. “The measure seeks to contribute to […]
Ecopetrol Cuts CAPEX And Other Expenses, Costs
(Ecopetrol, 17.Mar.2020) — Ecopetrol S.A. informs that in an extraordinary session held on March 16, its Board of Directors adopted a set of actions to address the challenging market conditions, which have resulted, among other matters, in a 40% decline in the Brent crude price as compared to the end […]