(IMF, 23.Jul.2020) — Transcript of International Monetary Fund (IMF) press briefing on Nigeria, Argentina, and other countries. MR. RICE: Good morning everyone and welcome to this press briefing on behalf of the International Monetary Fund. I’m Gerry Rice of the Communications Department. And as usual this morning, our briefing will […]
Tag: IMF
Global Gas Flaring At Levels Not Seen Since 2009
(World Bank, 21.Jul.2020) — Estimates from satellite data show global gas flaring increased to levels not seen in more than a decade, to 150 billion cubic meters (bcm), equivalent to the total annual gas consumption of Sub-Saharan Africa. The 3% rise, from 145 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2018 to […]
Venezuela, In Historic Shift, Scales Back Fuel Subsidy
(WSJ, 31.May.2020) — The regime of Nicolás Maduro, grappling with intense gasoline shortages, said it will scale back its longstanding fuel subsidy and privatize service stations, in a significant shift for Venezuelans long accustomed to filling up their cars free of charge. The measures, which take effect on Monday, are […]
Political Battle Could Jeopardize Oil Boom
(Oilprice.com, 6.Apr.2020) — Amidst the torrent of news on the adverse impacts of COVID-19, recent developments in Guyana stand out as something of a countercurrent. In times when the entire world seems to be bracing for an impending economic catastrophe, Guyana is paralyzed by a political impasse that not only […]
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 […]
IMF Staff Statement On Argentina
(IMF, 19.Feb.2020) — An IMF team, led by Julie Kozack Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department and Luis Cubeddu Mission chief for Argentina, visited Buenos Aires [1] from February 12 to 19, 2020 to discuss the recent macroeconomic developments and learn more about the Argentine authorities’ economic plans and […]
Guyana – The World’s Newest Oil Producer
(IHSMarkit, 24.Jan2020) — In an environment of oil supply glut, a new player entered the scene. Guyana, a nation bordering Venezuela and Brazil – two countries with large oil reserves – has established itself as an oil producer as of 20 December with the first crude production from Liza (Phase […]
Ecuador Oil Minister Resigns
(Reuters, 12.Nov.2019) — Ecuadorean Oil Minister Carlos Perez on Tuesday announced his resignation in what he called a personal decision to spend more time with his family, weeks after the country was rocked by violent protests over a planned fuel price hike. President Lenin Moreno in October rolled back a […]
Can Guyana Survive Striking It Rich?
(Bloomberg, Mac Margolis, 5.Nov.2019) — Early last month, Guyanese President David Granger was knees-down in a community garden brandishing a spade. Granger was there to plant a tree — it was National Tree Day — but also an idea. “Don’t let us get drunk. Let us remain sober,” he told the […]
SOTE Operations Reduced To 30% Of Capacity
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 9.Oct.2019) — Operations at the SOTE have been affected during protests in Ecuador and resultantly operations have been reduced to 30% of capacity, due to the low stock of crude oil delivered. The flow is currently minimal and does not allow the normal operation of […]
Amazon Watch On Ecuador Strike
(Amazon Watch, 8.Oct.2019) — In response to economic austerity measures announced by Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno on October 1, Ecuador’s National Indigenous Movement, represented by CONAIE (National Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador), announced a national strike, bringing the country to a halt from the Andes to the Amazon. The […]
IMF Provides Update On Ecuador
(IMF, 2.Oct.2019) — The reforms announced yesterday by President Lenin Moreno aim to improve the resilience and sustainability of Ecuador’s economy and foster strong, and inclusive growth. The announcement included important measures to protect the poor and most vulnerable, as well as to generate jobs in a more competitive economy. […]
Guyana Key Elections To Come Ahead Of First Oil
(Argus, 26.Sep.2019) ) — Guyana will hold parliamentary elections on 2 March 2020, around the time that ExxonMobil plans to launch offshore oil production that promises to transform the economy of the tiny South American country. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) party that has overseen the advent of oil […]
Argentina’s Economic Crisis Threatens To Stall Vaca Muerta
(Petroleum Economist, Charles Waine, 14.May.2019) — Argentina’s hope of fast-tracking production from its vast Vaca Muerta shale play, the world’s second largest by output, could be delayed as the country adapts to recession. Last year, Argentina was forced to seek a $57bn bailout package from the IMF — the largest-ever […]
Argentine Leader Sees Tough Road Ahead
(AP, 5.Dec.2018) — Argentina’s president is celebrating the successful hosting of the Group of 20 summit, but he said Monday that he is ready for tough times ahead as his country confronts its economic crisis. President Mauricio Macri told The Associated Press in an interview that he took pride in […]
Venezuela Set To Share Economic Data With IMF
(OilPrice.com, Tsvetana Paraskova, 15.Nov.2018) — OPEC’s member Venezuela—which is sitting on the world’s largest crude oil reserves but which is suffering the worst loss of oil production in history outside of war-induced outages—is getting ready to share macroeconomic data with the International Monetary Fund to avoid penalties including possible exclusion […]
Pampa Energia Curbs Polystyrene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber Output On Demand
(S&P Global Platts, Bernardo Fallas, 13.Nov.2018) — Argentina-based energy company Pampa Energia is cutting polystyrene and styrene butadiene rubber production amid lackluster demand in Argentina and barriers to export, two company sources said Monday on the sidelines of the 38th Latin American Petrochemical Association meetings in Cancun. Pampa expects to […]
Mexico Should Fix Pemex Finances Before New Refining Investments: IMF
(Reuters, 8.Nov.2018) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday called for an improvement in Mexican state oil company Pemex’s financial position before it invests in building new refineries. Mexico’s incoming leftist government has vowed to build what could be the country’s largest oil refinery, with construction set to begin […]
Bolivia’s Economic Growth Expected to Exceed 4.5%: IMF
(Energy Analytics Institute, Aaron Simonsky, 3.Oct.2018) — Details of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates were reported by the daily newspaper La Razón, citing a speech made by Bolivia’s President Evo Morales in the capital city La Paz. ***
Venezuela Petrol Prices Need to Rise to Stop Smuggling
(Reuters, Deisy Buitrago and Brian Ellsworth, 14.Aug.2018) – Venezuela’s heavily subsidised domestic gasoline prices should rise to international levels to avoid billions of dollars in annual losses due to fuel smuggling, president Nicolas Maduro has said. “Gasoline must be sold at an international price to stop smuggling to Colombia and […]
Venezuela Inflation to Hit 1 Mln Percent. Thanks, Socialism.
(Washington Post, Megan McArdle, 27.Jul.2018) – According to the International Monetary Fund, by the end of the year, the annual inflation rate in Venezuela will reach 1 million percent. A number like that is hard to grasp. Simply put, a candy bar that cost $1 today would cost $10,000 at the […]
Hiking Gasoline Won’t Fix Venezuela’s Fiscal Problem
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 27.Jul.2018) – Hiking the price of gasoline in Venezuela won’t fix the OPEC country’s fiscal problem. That’s according to recent statements from an opposition leader. “Although the price of fuel has to be raised, it will not be enough to solve the [country’s] fiscal problem,” […]
Venezuela’s Inflation to Reach 1 Million Percent
(Bloomberg, Andrew Rosati, 23.Jul.2018) – Venezuela’s inflation will skyrocket to 1 million percent by the end of the year as the government continues to print money to cover a growing budget hole, the International Monetary Fund predicted on Monday. The crisis is comparable to that of Germany in 1923 or […]
Venezuela Facing ‘Economic Collapse’, IMF Warns
(AFP, 18.Jul.2018) – Venezuela is in a state of “economic collapse” with hyperinflation not seen since the middle of the last century, the International Monetary Fund said Monday. Despite higher oil prices that are benefiting most exporting nations, the IMF sees a worsening contraction of the economy, which in April […]
Why Is Venezuela Still Sending Subsidized Oil To Cuba?
(OilPrice.com, Haley Zaremba, 17.Jul.2018) – In the past, oil has accounted for 96 percent of Venezuela’s exports and over 40 percent of government revenues. Now, as the nation’s economy continues to crumble amid sanctions, political strife, and low oil prices, the Venezuela’s all-important oil production is plummeting. In fact, last […]
PetroCaribe fund to flow into government coffers
(Jamaica Gleaner, 11.Jul.2018) – In a matter of months, the US$1.6 billion, or more than J$208 billion, now in the PetroCaribe Development Fund (PDF) is to flow to the Consolidated Fund and could be administered as the Minister of Finance sees fit. The transition is expected to happen by the […]
Oil Price Weighs on Barbados’ Inflation
(Trinidad Express, Aleem Khan, 4.Jul.2019) – High oil prices on their own appear to be good neither for Trinidad and Tobago nor Barbados, according to statements by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) senior economist, and Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Petrotrin) Chairman Wilfred Espinet, over the last week. […]
Argentina to Free Retail Fuel Prices
(Reuters, Luc Cohen, 1.Jul.2018) – Argentina will allow fuel retailers to freely set pump prices starting in August, according to an Energy Ministry official familiar with the plan, a move that could encourage badly needed investment in the nation’s oil patch but risks worsening sky-high inflation and angering consumers. Separately, […]
Guyana Potential Game Changer for Petrotrin
(Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, Julien Neaves, 27.Jun.2018) – Guyana and its eight oil finds can be a game changer for state-owned Petrotrin and TT, says National Gas Company (NGC) Chairman Gerry Brooks. He was speaking during a presentation at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s Business Outlook breakfast meeting held […]
IMF Approves New $11.5 Bln Colombia Credit
(Energy Analytics Institute, Jared Yamin, 25.May.2018)  – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a new two-year flexible credit line with Colombia for nearly $11.4 billion. The new credit replaces the former one, which was approved in 2016, reported the daily newspaper El Espectador. ***
Solar Power Lights Up Rural Bolivia
(World Bank, 11.May.2018) – How do you turn on a light at night when you’ve left the power grid far, far behind? In Bolivia, the solution is solar power. This is one of several case studies in the upcoming State of Energy Access Report, supported by the World Bank’s Energy […]
Favorable Terms To Help Guyana Prove Potential
(Rystad, 19.Apr.2018) — Rystad Energy analysis shows that Guyana’s fiscal regime is favorable to oil companies when compared to mature oil and gas development countries but is in line when compared with other countries of equivalent maturity. The International Monetary Fund, quoted early last week by Reuters, argued that the […]
