Beijing, a key Russian ally, has moved to restrict financing for Russian commodities purchases through two of China’s largest state-owned banks, Bloomberg reports, as Russian forces advance to Kyiv only a day after launching a full-scale invasion plan. According to Bloomberg, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has …
Read More »Chinese Trade is Unlikely to Offset Sanctions on Russia
Russia and China are making much of their strategic partnership as a counterbalance to their stresses with the West, but the European Union is still much more important economically to Russia than is China, and Australia comprehensively trumps Russia as a supplier to China. There’s no realistic prospect of China …
Read More »U.S. Sanctions will not Target Russia’s Oil and Gas Exports
The sanctions that the United States is imposing on Russia for recognizing two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and sending troops there are not targeting Russian oil and gas flows, nor will they target such flows in subsequent sanctions that could be imposed soon, the U.S. said. On the condition …
Read More »Saudi Aramco Shares Hit Fresh All-Time High
Shares of Saudi Arabian Oil Co. hit their highest level since listing, at SAR 42.25 today, Feb. 24. The stock is trading at an increase of over 3%, with nearly 18 million shares traded so far. Brent crude jumped above $100 a barrel on Thursday’s trading session for the first …
Read More »Russia-Ukraine Crisis Threatens Global Food Supply
Escalating tensions between major global food suppliers Russia and Ukraine are likely to force wheat, corn, and sunflower oil buyers to seek alternative shipments, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing analysts and traders. The disruption could drive up world food prices which are already near multi-year highs, experts warn. The two …
Read More »Germany Blocks €9.5bn Nord Stream 2 Pipeline amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Germany has moved ahead to block the €9.5bn Nord Stream 2 pipeline amid the growing military tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In a blow to the gas pipeline project, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has suspended its certification process after Moscow announced recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk in …
Read More »German Chancellor Halts Approval of Gas Pipeline Nord Stream 2 after Russia’s Actions
Germany said Tuesday it will halt the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline designed to bring natural gas from Russia directly to Europe after President Putin recognized breakaway regions in east Ukraine and said Russian troops would move into the area to act as peacekeepers. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf …
Read More »Shell: Russian LNG to Remain Important Factor of Asian Energy Security
Russian liquefied natural gas will remain an important factor to support energy security of the Asia-Pacific Region for coming decades, chief executive of Shell in Russia Ekaterina Grushetskaya told TASS. “Forecast indicators contained in the Shell’s report on LNG global market development prospects posted today will certainly be a good …
Read More »OPEC+ Compliance Rises to 129% in January
OPEC+ compliance with oil production cuts rose to 129% in January, a source from the producer group told Reuters, indicating that some members continue to struggle to raise their output. The January figure compares with 122% in December, and 117% in November. Compliance from members of the Organization of the …
Read More »GCC Looks Set to Enjoy Oil Windfall this Year
Geopolitical tension in Eurasia has ruffled financial markets in recent weeks and contributed to the almost 20 per cent increase in oil prices since the start of 2022. In addition, oil markets are expected to remain relatively tight in the first quarter of this year, as supply is only gradually …
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