As Europe is struggling to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, seeking to secure gas from the Middle East, China beat Europe to the punch and at the end of last November sealed the largest ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals with Qatar at the staggering amount of US$ 60 …
Read More »2022: The Year when Oil and Gas Stocks became Market’s Darlings
For several years, oil and gas companies have found themselves the target of attacks from investors, the non-governmental sector, and governments for their alleged lead role in climate change. From shareholder resolutions pushing for greater commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to lawsuits to force oil and gas operators to …
Read More »Europe’s Energy Crisis is just Getting Started
Despite successfully filling its gas storage ahead of winter this year, Europe’s energy crisis is far from over. The situation for Europe could, in fact, be worse next winter when Russian pipeline gas supply will be down to a trickle, at best. European households and businesses have already seen a …
Read More »China’s Middle Eastern Business will Increase Yuan-for-Oil-Deals, but Dollar Expected to Stay Dominant in World Trade
China’s plan to expand use of its currency for oil trading with six Middle Eastern countries will elevate use of the yuan in global commerce among friendly countries and futures traders drawn by its stable exchange rate, market analysts forecast. But while that may lead to more yuan-for-oil deals – …
Read More »China Opens Door to Trade Crude Oil and Natural Gas in Yuan
China’s president Xi Jinping mentioned on his trip to Riyadh last week that the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange would be “fully utilized in RMB settlement in oil and gas trade.” Most commodities including crude oil are traded in US dollars. The renminbi trade was part of several “priority …
Read More »Embargo and Price Cap on Russian Oil Make European Economic Prospects more Uncertain
On December 2, EU member states unanimously agreed to introduce a price cap at $60 per barrel on Russian seaborne oil, as well as an EU-imposed embargo on Russian crude oil shipped by sea. Both initiatives would go into effect on December 5. The EU’s price cap is also joined …
Read More »Looming Recession may be the Energy Transition’s Biggest Threat
Raw material costs and looming shortages: these have been the dangers on the path of the world’s energy system transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives. Until inflation and recession reared their twin heads. Since the start of the year, economies in Europe and North America, previously stalwarts of economic …
Read More »The Global Energy Crisis is Driving a Surge in Heat Pumps, Bringing Energy Security and Climate Benefits
Worldwide sales of heat pumps are set to soar to record levels in the coming years as the global energy crisis accelerates their adoption, the International Energy Agency says in a new special report released today. The heating of most buildings around the world – such as homes, offices, schools …
Read More »Africa’s Energy Trilemma
The world is facing an energy trilemma. Leaders in the public and private sectors are faced with the challenging puzzle of how to ensure a secure and reliable supply of energy while also keeping energy prices affordable and minimizing negative environmental externalities. This isn’t easy anywhere on Earth, but nowhere …
Read More »Europe’s Energy Crisis may Last beyond Winter
Analysts agree that the severe economic impacts of the energy crisis are being felt in almost all economic sectors in Europe, and the problems are bound to remain until the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is resolved. The crisis in Ukraine has sent energy prices surging, which in turn pushed …
Read More »