HSBC’s forecast that Brent Crude prices would remain around $65 per barrel later this year could be too optimistic as OPEC+ continues to raise production, which will result in a bigger-than-expected surplus after the summer ends. “Our new scenario assumes regular hikes from October to December and leaves the 2.2mbd …
Read More »India’s Top Private Refiners Boost Domestic Sales as Export Margins Drop
Slowing fuel demand in China and weaker growth elsewhere have prompted the biggest private refiners in India to raise their fuel sales at home as margins abroad are falling. Reliance Industries of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, as well as Nayara Energy, whose largest shareholder is Russia’s oil giant Rosneft, are increasing …
Read More »Russian Gazprom Increases Gas Flow to Europe through Last Remaining Pipeline
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom increased its gas supplies to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline in May by 10.3% compared to April, from 41.7 million to 46 million cubic meters per day, Reuters reported on June 2. After the cessation of supplies through the Yamal-Europe pipeline and Nord Stream, and the …
Read More »Trade War and Rising Oil Supplies Weigh on Crude Prices
Worries over the health of the global economy amid escalating trade protectionism together with an accelerated unwind of OPEC+ output cuts pushed Brent crude to a four-year low of $60/bbl in early May – though prices have risen off their lows. Responding to the weaker economic outlook, the IEA downgraded …
Read More »Tariffs and Turmoil Undermine Trump’s Oil and Gas Promises
When U.S. President Donald Trump came into office in January, he promised to back greater oil and gas production, doubling down on his “drill, baby, drill” catch phrase. He rapidly introduced executive orders aimed at encouraging new oil and gas exploration across the country while reining in the renewable energy …
Read More »Oil Jumps after OPEC+ Sticks to Same Output Hike in July versus June
Oil prices rebounded more than $1 a barrel on Monday after producer group OPEC+ decided to increase output in July by the same amount as it did in each of the prior two months, which came as a relief to those who expected a bigger increase. Brent crude futures climbed …
Read More »Europe Reconsiders Nuclear Energy Policies
Europe is embracing nuclear energy with a new vigor. Even the most historically staunch nuclear opponents are softening their restrictions on the carbon-free form of energy production as the continent continues to pivot away from oil and gas imports and toward energy independence in the long shadow of Russia’s invasion …
Read More »The Battery Tech that could Replace Lithium
As governments and companies look to a future run on renewable energy, the need for utility-scale batteries is greater than ever. Currently, the dominant battery form is the lithium-ion battery, which is produced using lithium and other critical minerals, a market dominated by China. While this type of battery is …
Read More »China Schools the West on EVs
In April this year, China’s BYD hit a first–it sold more cars in Europe than Tesla. Of course, one reason for this was EV fans’ reaction to Elon Musk’s political endeavors, but another was that BYD’s EVs were simply better and more affordable. And now Western carmakers want to learn …
Read More »Supertanker with Russian Oil Anchored near China could Signal Weak Demand
A supertanker carrying 2.1 million barrels of Russia’s Far Eastern ESPO crude grade has been anchored near China for days in what traders say is an unusual pattern that could suggest weaker demand in the Asian market. The Big Star supertanker loaded ESPO from three smaller vessels near Russia’s Zarubino …
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