(Energy Analytics Institute, 7.Dec.2024) — Energy briefs as well as others related to finance and projects during Dec. 2024 including Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) [more…]
Tag: Russia
How the Russia-Ukraine War is Changing Energy Markets
(WoodMac, 23.Feb.2023) — Ukraine’s battle is existential. The country has suffered a year of lost lives, its people forced to live each day in perpetual [more…]
Enhancing the US-UK Sanctions Partnership
(US Treasury, 17.Oct.2022) — As Directors of two of the world’s leading financial sanctions implementation authorities, we are committed to our close working relationship. As [more…]
Russia/Ukraine Conflict Could Hurt Trinidad and Tobago in Long Term
(Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 23.Feb.2022) — War! What is it good for? Apparently it’s good for oil, gas and petrochemical prices. For the past few [more…]
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 [more…]
Maduro Doubling Down On Earnings From Illicit Means
(Energy Analytics Institute, 13.Aug.2020) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is doubling down on earning money through illicit means where sanctions have less of an impact [more…]
Sisi Wins Approval For Possible Libya Intervention
(Reuters, 20.Jul.2020) — Egypt’s parliament gave President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi the green light for possible military intervention in Libya by approving the deployment of armed forces [more…]
Investors In Russian Pipeline At Risk Of US Sanctions
(Reuters, 15.Jul.2020) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday warned investors in two Russian natural gas pipeline projects that they could face sanctions [more…]
US Swaps Venezuelan Fuel Oil For Russian Products
(Oilprice.com, 13.Jul.2020) — The United States has been raising its imports of fuel oil from Russia over the past year and a half after the [more…]
Russia Backs Venezuela In Fight Against US
(Newsweek, 24.Jun.2020) — Russia vowed to support Venezuela in its campaign to counter U.S.-backed regime change after the Pentagon sailed warships nearby in the Caribbean [more…]
Mexico To Sit Out Extension Of OPEC+ Oil Output Cuts
(Reuters, 6.Jun.2020) — Mexico will not join other top oil producers in extending through July output cuts aimed at propping up the price of crude, [more…]
OPEC+ To Meet Saturday On Extending Cuts
(Reuters, 5.Jun.2020) — OPEC and its allies led by Russia will meet on Saturday to discuss extending record oil production cuts and to push laggards [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
Iran’s 4th Fuel Tanker Nears Venezuelan Waters
(Fars News Agency, 28.May.2020) — Iran’s fourth tanker full of gasoline has entered the Caribbean and is close to the Venezuelan territorial waters. Venezuelan armed [more…]
Mexico To Remain In Opec+, No Output Cuts Planned
(Argus, 22.May.2020) — Mexico will remain within the Opec + group but has no plans for further production cuts, the energy ministry told Argus today. [more…]
The Only Hotspot Where Big Oil Will Still Spend
(Oilprice.com, 7.May.2020) — Oil majors may be slashing spending and deferring development plans across the globe, but they remain committed to developing the newest offshore [more…]
Venezuela Floats Lean PdV With Russia Unit
(Argus, 27.Apr.2020) — The two Maduro loyalists who have been effectively running Venezuela’s national oil industry for two months were officially appointed today as acting [more…]
Saudi OSPs For Oil Exports Bode Well For Asian Refiners
(WoodMac, 16.Apr.2020) — On 13 April, Saudi Arabia announced the Official Selling Prices (OSPs) for its May crude oil exports. The new OSPs speak volumes [more…]
OPEC And Non-OPEC To Cut Output By 9.7 MMb/d
(OPEC, 12.Apr.2020) — The 10th (Extraordinary) OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting was held via videoconference, on Sunday, 12 April 2020, under the Chairmanship of HRH [more…]
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 [more…]
‘Dead Cow’ Oil Play Set To Be Next Permian Is Now Dead
(Bloomberg, 1.Apr.2020) — Just a bit more than 3 weeks ago, the head of Argentina’s state-run driller outlined an aggressive $1.8 billion spending plan for [more…]
Maduro Highlights Need To Stabilize Oil Market
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 31.Mar.2020) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro highlighted the importance of the agreements between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
Which Supply Is Most At Risk Of Shut-in?
(WoodMac, 27.Mar.2020) — The coronavirus pandemic is reducing oil demand. The OPEC+ production restraint agreement fell apart on 6 March and Saudi Arabia is rapidly [more…]
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 [more…]
Maduro Suggests OPEC, OPEC+ Discuss Oil Market
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 12.Mar.2020) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has suggested that members of OPEC and OPEC+ return to discussions about balancing the [more…]
Venezuela Discussing Oil Prices With OPEC, Russia
(TASS, 12.Mar.2020) — Venezuelan authorities are discussing the situation with the oil price collapse with OPEC and Russia, President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday at [more…]
China “Teapot” Refiners Crank Up Run Rates
(Reuters, 11.Mar.2020) — China’s independent oil refiners are cranking up production as local governments begin to relax strict measures to contain the coronavirus and fuel [more…]
Mexico Says Hedge Covers Oil Income
(Reuters, 10.Mar.2020) — Mexico’s finance minister said on Tuesday a $1.4 billion hedge program completely covered 2020 national oil income following a steep drop in [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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, [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
Beyond The Dragon Deal
(Trinidad Newsday, 5.Feb.2020) — One of the biggest lessons we can take away from the pausing of the landmark cross-border agreement between TT and Venezuela [more…]
Russia Sends Lavrov To Venezuela
(Reuters, 4.Feb.2020) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Venezuela on Friday in a show of support for President Nicolas Maduro, a socialist who [more…]
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 [more…]
Guaido Rubbing Elbows In Surprise Foreign Trip
(Argus, 20.Jan.2020) — The US government is hoping a high-profile international tour by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido will re-inject momentum into its protracted campaign [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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 [more…]
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, [more…]
US Considering More Venezuela Sanctions
(S&P Global Platts, 6.Jan.2020) — The US may respond to escalating political disarray in Venezuela by allowing a sanctions waiver for Chevron and four US [more…]
PDVSA Cedes Oilfield Operations To Foreign Firms
(Reuters, 3.Jan.2020) — Venezuelan state company PDVSA is letting some joint venture partners take over the day-to-day operation of oilfields as its own capacity dwindles [more…]
Venezuela Is Quietly Ramping Up Oil Production
(Oilprice.com, 31.Dec.2019) — If anyone is to ever write a guidebook on political survival, the skills of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would certainly top the [more…]
US Cuts Venezuelan Flows Plans For China, Rosneft
(S&P Global Platts, 24.Dec.2019) — US sanctions on PDVSA shut down roughly 500,000 b/d of crude flows from Venezuela to Gulf Coast refineries within a [more…]
PDVSA, Partners Produce 500,000 b/d Of Orinoco Crude
(S&P Global Platts, 17.Dec.2019) — Production levels by Venezuelan state-owned PDVSA and its international partners in the Orinoco Belt rose to 500,000 b/d, or 38.5% [more…]
Venezuela Oil Output Rises
(Reuters, 10.Dec.2019) — Venezuela’s crude output in November jumped more than 20% from the prior month to the highest level since the United States tightened [more…]
Rosneft Undermining US Plans In Venezuela?
(Atlantic Council, Matthew Bryza, 27.Nov.2019) — US President Donald Trump is conducting policies of “maximum pressure” on two countries, Venezuela and Iran. In Venezuela, Russia’s [more…]
Maduro Pledges 30 MMbbls To Back Cryptocurrency
(Oilprice.com, Irina Slav, 21.Nov.2019) — Venezuela will use some 30 million barrels of oil it has in storage as backing for its national cryptocurrency, the [more…]
Venezuela Using Invisible Oil Tankers To Skirt Sanctions
(Oilprice.com, Irina Slav, 16.Nov.2019) — U.S. sanctions on Venezuela have been squeezing the life out of its economy in an attempt to remove the government [more…]
Rosneft Cool On Venezuela’s Sweeter Gas Terms, For Now
(Argus, 6.Nov.2019) — Venezuela is offering sweeter fiscal terms to Russia’s state-controlled Rosneft for two offshore natural gas fields that are well-positioned to supply nearby [more…]
Chevron Venezuela’s Exit To Aid Putin’s Russia
(S&P Global Platts, Brian Scheid and Rosemary Griffin, 17.Oct.2019) — Chevron is pushing back against the Trump administration’s plans to let the company’s Venezuela sanctions [more…]
Venezuela Readies Handover Of PDVSA To Rosneft
(Tass, 16.Oct.2019) — The government of Venezuela is ready to hand over full control over its state-run oil company PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela) to Russia’s [more…]
Nayara Supplies Fuel To Rosneft For Venezuelan Oil
(Reuters, Nidhi Verma and Marianna Parraga, 15.Oct.2019) — India’s Nayara Energy has been using Russian giant Rosneft as an intermediary to acquire Venezuelan oil, paying [more…]
US Targets Entities, Vessels Moving Venezuelan Oil To Cuba
(US Treasury, 24.Sep.2019) — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four entities that operate in the oil [more…]
Live At State With Elliott Abrams
(US Treasury, 10.Sep.2019) — U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams discussed issues related to Venezuela during a Live At State from Washington, D.C. MODERATOR: [more…]
Venezuelan Oil Exports At Lowest Level In 2019
(Reuters, Marianna Parraga, Mircely Guanipa, 3.Sep.2019) — Venezuela’s oil exports fell in August to their lowest level in 2019, internal reports and Refinitiv Eikon data [more…]
Rosneft Seeks Euros Payment In Naphtha Tender
(Reuters, 14.Aug.2019) — Russian state oil company Rosneft has for the first time asked buyers to use the euro as the default currency in a [more…]
US Escalates Venezuela Sanctions
(Platts, 6.Aug.2019) — The US escalated sanctions against Venezuela late Monday and may use the executive order to target crude flows to China and India, [more…]
Venezuela Oil Exports Slid 17.5% In July-Data
(Reuters, Marianna Parraga, 1.Aug.2019) — Venezuela’s oil exports fell 17.5% in July to their second-lowest level since Washington imposed sanctions on the nation as state-run [more…]
Petropiar JV Starts Blending
(Reuters, 29.Jul.2019) — Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA said on Monday the Petropiar extra-heavy crude upgrader, part-owned by U.S. oil company Chevron Corp, had begun [more…]
Wintershall Dea And ConocoPhillips Team Up In The Prolific Neuquén Basin
(Wintershall, 25.Jul.2019) — ConocoPhillips is a new partner in the Aguada Federal and Bandurria Norte blocks with Wintershall Dea. The two companies will advance the [more…]
TechnipFMC Awarded Contract For Arctic LNG 2
(Technip, 23.Jul.2019) — TechnipFMC has been awarded a major(1) Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract by Novatek and its partners for the Arctic LNG 2 [more…]
Guaido Says To Protect Chevron Assets In Venezuela
(Reuters, Luc Cohen) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Tuesday he would seek to protect Chevron Corp’s assets in the country if the [more…]
Sanctions Squeeze Venezuela’s EHCO Output
(Petroleum Economist, 18.Jul.2019) — Latin America’s economically troubled oil giant faces the difficult task of significantly raising Asian crude grades. Venezuela’s upgraders have been forced [more…]
Bolivia Strikes Gas Deal Russian Giant In Brazil
(Reuters, 11.Jul.2019) — Bolivia’s state energy firm has sealed a deal to supply gas to Russian fertilizer giant Acron’s plants in Brazil, the two sides [more…]
Chevron Seeks Relief From Trump’s Venezuela Oil Sanctions
(Bloomberg, Fabiola Zerpa, Peter Millard and Kevin Crowley, 2.Jul.2019) — Chevron Corp. is lobbying the U.S. for sanctions relief so it can continue doing business [more…]
European Elections: Finally Becoming More Courageous About Climate Protection
(Wintershall, 6.Jun.2019) — The results of the European elections show that German voters are primarily interested in one issue: climate protection. Hugo Dijkgraaf, the member [more…]
Tanker Sabotage: Venezuela’s Crisis Worsens
(Oilprice.com, Tsvetana Paraskova, 28.May.2019) — Tankers carrying gasoline and ships transporting food for Venezuela were sabotaged last week to prevent them from reaching Venezuela, Nicolas [more…]