(PDV Holding, 26.Jun.2023) — PDV Holding, Inc. successfully recovered a stock certificate representing 49.9% of the outstanding shares of stock in its subsidiary CITGO Holding Inc. from an arm of Russian-controlled oil company Rosneft on Wednesday, 21 June 2023. This event brings to a close years of effort to recover […]
Tag: Rosneft
Cuban Officials Return from Russia with Promises of Oil
(Reuters, 20.Jun.2023) — A delegation of high-level Cuban officials wrapped up an extended visit to Russia, according to state-run media reports on Tuesday, following up on the nearly 30 trade agreements signed between the allies in Havana in May. Longtime political allies Cuba and Russia – both subject to U.S. […]
Equinor Exits all JVs in Russia
(Equinor, 25.May.2022) — On 27 February 2022, Equinor decided to start the process of exiting the company’s joint ventures in Russia. Since then, Equinor has halted all new investments into Russia, stopped trading oil and gas products from Russia and announced an impairment of $1.08bn on the balance sheet as […]
Russian Oil Rigs in Venezuela Complicate US Talks With Maduro
(Bloomberg, 11.Mar.2022) — Much has been written about the hurdles to a U.S.-Venezuela detente that would allow oil from the South American nation to start flowing more freely into international markets. One of them, though, has been overlooked: The presence of a Kremlin-owned company in oil fields all across Venezuela. […]
Exxon Faces New Pressure Over Dealings with Russia’s Rosneft
(Reuters, 27.Feb.2022) — Exxon Mobil XOM.N likely will face new pressure to severe ties with Russia’s largest oil producer, said analysts, after rival BP agreed to unload a Rosneft stake. Russia’s attack on Ukraine has unleashed broad economic and political rebukes and corporate withdrawals by banks, technology and other firms […]
bp Staff Message Regarding Relationship with Rosneft
(bp, 27.Feb.2022) — bp’s Bernard Looney provides a message to all bp staff on the company’s relationship with Rosneft. To the bp team, Like so many of you, I have been deeply shocked and saddened by the situation unfolding in Ukraine. We are witnessing an act of aggression which is having tragic […]
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 […]
Venezuela Defies Sanction Tripwires, Imports Oil
(Bloomberg, 13.Sep.2020) — An oil tanker is discharging Iranian condensate for Venezuela as both countries continue to avoid U.S. sanction tripwires. The ship, identified as Honey, turned off its satellite signal and started unloading about 2 million barrels of South Pars condensate at Venezuela’s state-controlled port of Jose on Saturday, […]
Russia Is Winning The Battle For Venezuela’s Oil
(Oilprice.com, 24.Aug.2020) — In just over a year Venezuela, and the push to oust socialist leader President Nicolas Maduro, has gone from being one of the world’s hottest news headlines to obscurity. The popularity of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan GuaidĂł is waning. As the December 2020 election date for Venezuela’s […]
Venezuela’s Oil Production Sinks To 300,000 b/d
(Argus, 3.Jul.2020) — Venezuela kicked off July with only around 300,000 b/d of crude production and no oil rigs in operation, according to a series of internal operation reports from state-owned PdV. The production level is the Opec country’s lowest in close to nine decades, with the exception of a […]
US Sanctions Four Firms For Transporting Venezuelan Oil
(Aljazeera, 2.Jun.2020) — The United States Treasury Department on Tuesday said it had sanctioned four shipping firms for transporting Venezuelan oil, the latest escalation in Washington’s effort to depose socialist President Nicolas Maduro by cutting off the OPEC nation’s crude exports. Marshall Islands-based Afranav Maritime Ltd, Adamant Maritime Ltd and […]
US Senators Expected To Sanction Nord Stream 2
(Reuters, 29.May.2020) — Two U.S. senators are expected to introduce next week sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline that Russia is trying to finish, but which Washington has opposed since the Obama era, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. The sanctions, which would have […]
NOCs To Slash Exploration Budgets
(WoodMac, 20.May.2020) — National oil companies (NOCs) globally are estimated to cut exploration budgets by over a quarter on average in 2020, says Wood Mackenzie. The analysis is based on announcements and tracking well plans of 11 top spending NOC explorers, including three Chinese NOCs, PTTEP, PETRONAS, ONGC, Qatar Petroleum, […]
Are Venezuelan Oil Exports Poised For A Comeback?
(Oilprice.com, 13.May.2020) — As the international community seeks answers with regards to the failed armed incursion into Venezuela that took place May 4, allegedly with the immediate participation of former US military veterans, President Maduro has once again proved to be a masterful survival artist. Notwithstanding the umpteenth round of […]
US Reviews Need For Venezuela Waivers: Update
(Argus, 16.Apr.2020) — The US is rethinking the premise behind its earlier decision to allow Chevron and other US and international firms to continue their presence in Venezuela, as it steps up the pressure of sanctions designed to force Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to step down. Chevron and European oil […]
Venezuela Gasoline Shortages Worsen
(Reuters, 8.Apr.2020) — Gasoline shortages in Venezuela are worsening after U.S. officials have told foreign firms to refrain from supplying the fuel to the sanctioned South American nation and only provide diesel, according to five people familiar with the situation. Since late 2019, U.S. officials have asked most of Venezuela’s […]
Venezuela Brushing Aside Oil Price Signals For Now
(Argus, 2.Apr.2020) — Venezuela’s crude production partially recovered to around 700,000 b/d at the end of March, but state-owned PdV and its foreign partners cannot afford to dismiss weaker price signals for much longer, according to industry officials inside and outside Venezuela. Output had slid to about 500,000 b/d in […]
Kremlin Fights US Sanctions, Backs Maduro
(Bloomberg, 30.Mar.2020) — The Kremlin’s sudden shift of ownership of multi-billion-dollar oil projects in Venezuela shields oil giant Rosneft PJSC from further U.S. sanctions but keeps Moscow firmly behind embattled President Nicolas Maduro amid a wider stand-off with Washington. “Russia is not walking away from Maduro and will seek to […]
Venezuela’s Oil Output Falls To Five-month Low
(Reuters, 30.Mar.2020) — Venezuela’s crude production ended last week at around 670,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to documents seen by Reuters and two people with access to output data, the lowest level in five months amid U.S. sanctions and falling global demand. The Orinoco oil belt, Venezuela’s largest producing […]
Rosneft’s Venezuelan Oil Loads Cancelled – Data
(Reuters, 28.Mar.2020) — Three large crude carriers (VLCCs) chartered by units of Russian oil major Rosneft to transport Venezuelan oil left Caribbean waters empty on Saturday after the cargoes were cancelled due to sanctions, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and a document from Venezuelan state-run oil firm PDVSA. The vessels […]
Rosneft To Sell Venezuela Operations To Russian Gov’t
(S&P Global Platts, 28.Mar.2020) — Russia’s largest crude producer Rosneft said Saturday it is ceasing operations in Venezuela and selling all assets related to activities there. “Today [Saturday], Rosneft entered into an agreement with a company 100%-owned by the Russian government on the sale of shares and termination of its […]
Rosneft Sells Its Venezuelan Assets
(Rosneft, 28.Mar.2020) — Rosneft announces the termination of its operations in Venezuela and the disposal of its assets, related to operating in Venezuela. Today Rosneft concluded an agreement with the company 100% owned by the Government of Russian Federation, to sell all of its interest and cease participation in its […]
Libre Abordo To Take Up To 15mn Bbls Of Venezuelan Oil
(Reuters, 24.Mar.2020) — Mexico’s Libre Abordo and a related company plan to take some 15 million barrels of Venezuelan crude as part of a first oil-for-food contract with President Nicolas Maduro’s government, the company told Reuters on Tuesday. Since it received its first cargo of Venezuelan oil in late 2019 […]
US Targets Maduro Regime With Fresh Charges
(WSJ, 22.Mar.2020) — The U.S. quietly unsealed criminal cases against two former officials at Venezuela’s state oil monopoly this month as part of what American officials say is a new round of charges and sanctions against a Maduro government they accuse of systemic corruption, narcotrafficking and stealing billions of dollars […]
Venezuela Cause Drifting Off International Agenda
(Argus, 10.Mar.2020) — Venezuela’s US-backed opposition is scrambling to stay relevant at home and abroad as the US and other foreign patrons turn inward to focus on slowing the spread of coronavirus and mitigating the economic fallout of an oil price collapse. In a bid to reinvigorate his movement, Juan […]
Is 2020 The Year For Regime Change In Venezuela?
(FT, 7.Mar.2020) — There have been enough false dawns in Venezuela to deter any confident predictions but a series of developments — all energy related — suggest that 2020 could be the year when regime change might actually occur and the country could begin to resume its role at the […]
Venezuela Arrests Officials For Giving US Oil Data
(AFP, 2.Mar.2020) — Venezuela said Monday it had arrested two officials from state oil company PDVSA for providing the US with “strategic and sensitive” details of its sanctions-hit oil operations. Alfredo Chirinos, the company’s special operations chief, and Aryenis Torrealba, PDVSA’s general manager of crude operations, were arrested on Friday, […]
BoquerĂłn JV Advances With Gas Lift Pilot
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 22.Feb.2020) — The BoquerĂłn joint venture, comprised of state oil company PetrĂłleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) and Russian oil company Rosneft, is incorporating artificial gas lift technological with aim at increasing its production of light crude oil which is currently produced by natural flow. Use […]
Trump Wants Pressure Raised On Maduro
(Bloomberg, 21.Feb.2020) — President Donald Trump is frustrated that pressure is building too slowly on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and is still considering military options in the country, including a naval blockade, a senior administration official said. The U.S. has put several companies that continue to do business in Venezuela […]
PetroMonagas Incorporates Turbo Generator
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 20.Feb.2020) — In order to generate its own electricity, the PetroMonagas joint venture incorporated use of an electric turbo generator (TG2) at its upgrader at the JosĂ© Antonio Anzoátegui Industrial Complex located in the northern part of Anzoátegui state. With incorporation of the generator, the […]
Venezuela Promises Another Oil Revival
(Argus, 20.Feb.2020) — Venezuela’s embattled government is vowing to overhaul the national oil industry one day after the US administration sanctioned the Russian trading company that channels most Venezuelan crude to market. In his latest national address late yesterday, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro issued an energy emergency decree and created […]
Maduro Taps VP To ‘Restructure’ Oil Sector
(Reuters, 19.Feb.2020) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he would create a presidential commission to restructure the country’s beleaguered oil industry, which will be led by Vice President for the Economy Tareck El Aissami. The announcement came a day after the United States sanctioned Rosneft Trading, a unit […]
Maduro Shakes Up PDVSA Amid Oil Sector Emergency
(Bloomberg, 19.Feb.2020) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro declared an “energy emergency” as he announced a commission to revamp state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, redoubling efforts to shore up the nation’s crumbling oil industry. Economy Vice President Tareck El Aissami will lead the commission, which will focus on boosting […]
Rosneft Sanctions Raise Threats For Cos In Venezuela
(Reuters, 19.Feb.2020) — Washington’s move this week to sanction a trading unit of Russian oil giant Rosneft for its ties with Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA escalated threats facing non-U.S. firms and will likely spur “overcompliance” by companies, analysts and industry sources said. The U.S. government on Tuesday blacklisted Rosneft Trading, SA, […]
Latest Rosneft Sanctions Raise Risks For Others
(Reuters, 19.Feb.2020) — Washington’s move this week to sanction a trading unit of Russian oil giant Rosneft for its ties with Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA escalated threats facing non-U.S. firms and will likely spur “overcompliance” by companies, analysts and industry sources said. The U.S. government on Tuesday blacklisted Rosneft Trading, SA, […]
Could Rosneft Sanctions Signal End To Chevron’s Venezuela Waiver?
(S&P Global Platts, 18.Feb.2020) — The Trump administration’s decision to sanction Rosneft’s trading arm Tuesday may be a sign that Chevron’s waiver allowing it to continue its work in Venezuela may soon expire, analysts said. The Rosneft sanctions may also bolster the case for the Chevron waiver to be extended […]
US Blacklists Rosneft Unit
(Reuters, 18.Feb.2020) — The United States on Tuesday tightened financial restrictions on Venezuela, blacklisting a subsidiary of Russian state oil major Rosneft that President Donald Trump’s administration has said provides a lifeline to President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The sanctions announced by the U.S. Treasury Department increase the pressure on Russia, […]
Rosneft Says US Sanctions On RTSA Illegal
(Rosneft, 18.Feb.2020) — The sanctions announced by the U.S. Treasury Department against Rosneft’s subsidiary RTSA and its Chairman are illegal, unjustified, and an act of legal abuse. Rosneft has been implementing its projects in Venezuela in strict compliance with rules of international and national laws. In the course of the […]
Ending Putin’s Support Of Venezuela Not Easy For US
(AP, 18.Feb.2020) — In October 2016, the head of Russia’s largest oil company traveled to the birthplace of Hugo Chávez, in the empty, sweltering plains of Venezuela, to unveil a giant bronze statue of the late socialist leader that he and his longtime friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, commissioned from […]
Venezuela, Rosneft and US Sanctions Complications
(S&P Global Platts, 18.Feb.2020) — US efforts to starve Venezuela’s Maduro regime of oil revenues have substantially increased the role of Russian energy in the US Gulf Coast, an outcome the Trump administration likely never anticipated when it put sanctions in place over a year ago. The situation has created […]
Ask No Questions, Tell No Lies
(Argus, 11.Feb.2020) — Juan Guaido is finally returning to Caracas today, with a vow to dislodge the “usurper” so he and his team of exiles can Make Venezuela Great Again. “Where’s Guaido?” is a question that often echoes among Venezuelan opponents of President Nicolas Maduro. Young opposition leader Juan Guaido […]
US Imports Of Russian Residue Complicate Venezuela Sanctions
(Argus, 10.Feb.2020) — US Gulf Coast refiners have been increasing their imports of a crude oil residue from Russia in response to both sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports and declining prices of high sulfur fuel oil ahead of International Maritime Organization’s revamp of marine fuel sulfur regulations. The trend could […]
Venezuela Weighs Privatizing Oil
(Bloomberg, 27.Jan.2020) — Facing economic collapse and painful sanctions, the socialist government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has proposed giving majority shares and control of its oil industry to big international corporations, a move that would forsake decades of state monopoly. Maduro’s representatives have held talks with Russia’s Rosneft PJSC, […]
Oil Is The Only Way Back Up For Venezuela
(Oilprice.com, 19.Jan.2020) — There’s only one path to rebuilding Venezuela, and it’s paved with oil. For the time being, that path leads nowhere. The key to controlling everything now lies with the National Assembly, the only body with the power to hand out oil licenses—and Maduro’s recent scheme to retake […]
Venezuela Oil Exports Accelerate
(Argus, 16.Jan.2020) — Venezuela kicked off the new year with at least 730,000 b/d of crude exports, led by several India-bound cargoes, according to local and international shipping data obtained by Argus. In the first half of January, a half dozen tankers loaded at state-owned PdV’s Jose terminal, most recently […]
China Scaling Back Economic Support For Maduro: Envoy
(Reuters, 15.Jan.2020) — The Trump administration’s envoy on Venezuela said China appears to be scaling back economic support for President Nicolas Maduro, and Beijing acknowledged a diminishing role largely due to U.S. sanctions against the OPEC nation. As China’s economic activities have declined, Maduro and his socialist government are becoming […]
Abrams Sees China Scaling Back Support For Maduro
(Reuters, 15.Jan.2020) — The Trump administration’s envoy on Venezuela said China appears to be scaling back economic support for President Nicolas Maduro, and Beijing acknowledged a diminishing role largely due to U.S. sanctions against the OPEC nation. As China’s economic activities have declined, Maduro and his socialist government are becoming […]
PDVSA’s Partners As Oil Traders Amid Sanctions
(Reuters, 13.Jan.2020) — Venezuela, its oil exports decimated by U.S. sanctions, is testing a new method of getting its crude to market: allocating cargoes to joint-venture partners including Chevron Corp, which in turn market the oil to customers in Asia and Africa. This would not violate sanctions as long as […]
Maduro Seeks Oil Contract Changes: Lawmakers
(Reuters, 8.Jan.2020) — Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party hopes legislators it recently declared to be in charge of congress will approve changes to ownership of some crucial state oil assets, five opposition lawmakers said on Wednesday. Pro-government legislators on Sunday declared little-known politician Luis Parra as the head of congress after […]
Venezuelan Oil Exports Fell By A Third In 2019
(Reuters, 7.Jan.2020) — Venezuela’s oil exports plummeted 32% last year to 1.001 million barrels per day, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and state-run PDVSA’s reports, as a lack of staff and capital drove output to its lowest level in almost 75 years and U.S. sanctions shrank exports markets. The drop […]