Iraq is reassessing contracts to pump crude at fields where production costs are high as it tries to contain expenses while curbing output, the oil minister said, according to a report on Sunday in Al-Sabah newspaper. OPEC’s second-biggest producer has an interest in cooperating with other global suppliers in reducing …
Read More »Coronavirus Resurgence Slows China’s Demand for U.S. Crude
A second wave of Covid-19 infections in China’s capital is threatening to depress the nation’s appetite for American oil just after a pick-up in purchases. Signs of weakening demand from the world’s largest oil consumer are now starting to weigh on export prices for American crude, according to industry participants. …
Read More »China Oil Titans Plan Joint Crude Buying to Add Bargaining Power
China’s state-owned oil refining giants are in discussions to form a purchasing group to buy crude together, increasing their bargaining power and avoiding bidding wars. Senior executives from China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., PetroChina Co., Cnooc Ltd. and Sinochem Group Co. are in advanced talks to iron out details of …
Read More »Russia’s Gazprom Mulls Power of Siberia Capacity Expansion to 44 Bcm/Year
Russia’s Gazprom is considering, with Chinese partners, increasing the capacity of its Power of Siberia gas pipeline to 44 Bcm/year from the current design capacity of 38 Bcm/year, CEO Alexei Miller said June 26. In an entry to his online column following Gazprom’s annual general meeting, Miller also said there …
Read More »Arctic LNG Project Progresses despite COVID-19 Impact
Despite the impact of COVID-19, the implementation of the Arctic LNG 2 project has been progressing, Russia’s largest independent gas producer Novatek has said. “Currently, the overall progress for the Project is estimated at 19%, with concrete casting of the first GBS platform estimated to be completed by 37%,” Novatek …
Read More »Global Nuclear Operating Capacity Stood at 392.1GW(e) in 2019
Global nuclear power operating capacity reached 392.1GW(e) at the end of 2019, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA). Data collected by collected by the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) show this consisted of 443 operational nuclear power reactors in 30 countries. Since 2011, the overall nuclear power capacity …
Read More »Trump’s Inaction Makes Oil Market Management Harder
The unprecedented OPEC+ deal in April, which led to drastic output cuts, is now entering its most dangerous phase, with oil demand and prices recovering. At the time, President Donald Trump claimed credit for the breakthrough, even though the U.S., the world’s biggest oil producer, wasn’t part of the agreement. …
Read More »Libya Says Foreign Mercenaries Shut down Oil Supplies in Oilfields, Ports
The Foreign Ministry of Libya’s UN-backed government on Saturday said that there are “mercenaries” allied with the rival eastern-based army shutting down oil exports inside oilfields and ports. “The Foreign Ministry followed up reports and information confirming presence of foreign mercenaries of the Russian Wagner, Janjaweed, and other mercenaries inside …
Read More »U.S. Shale, One of the Big Losers of the Saudi-Russian Price War
U.S. shale was one of the big losers of the Saudi-Russian price war that many saw as a war on U.S. shale. Producers scrambled to stay afloat as prices sank back to lows not seen since 2016, and they are still scrambling. Banks are giving them the cold shoulder, worried …
Read More »Indian Bank Eyes Non-Oil Imports from Iran to Sustain Rupee-Rial Trade
India’s UCO Bank is exploring the avenues to keep the rupee payment mechanism with Iran alive, amid the challenges made by the US’ unilateral sanctions. According to A K Goel, MD and CEO of UCO Bank, with India no longer importing oil from Iran, the lender is in talks with …
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