German officials said Feb. 26 they were looking for a “targeted and functional” way to ban Russia from the international financial payment system SWIFT, but it remains unclear what impact such a move could have on oil and gas flows. Any actions by the US or EU to cut Russia …
Read More »U.S. to Help Uzbekistan Explore New Shale Deposits
Scientists from the United States will team up with experts from Uzbekistan to prospect for shale oil and gas deposits this year as Tashkent moves to ramp up production to tackle energy shortages and provide raw material for the gas-processing industry. Experts from the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, …
Read More »Japan and EU Arrange Additional LNG Supplies to Europe over Ukraine
Japan is discussing with the European Union about coordinating further diversion of part of its liquefied natural gas imports to Europe, government sources said Saturday, as the region faces the threat of Russia restricting its gas exports. The Japanese government will likely provide additional LNG supplies from April as long …
Read More »Iraq’s Oil Exports to the United States Increased in Last Week
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Data showed, on Saturday, that Iraq’s export oil to the United States increased to 285 thousand bpd in the last week. EIA stated in a report, “The United States oil exports recorded 6.114 bpd in the first week of January.” The top three source countries …
Read More »China Moves to Restrict Financing for Russian Commodities
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 …
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