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Germany, Italy Agree to Pay for Russian Gas in Rubles

Germany and Italy have allowed national companies to open ruble accounts in Russia’s Gazprombank to comply with the new natural gas payment scheme and avoid a supply cut-off, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources. The move comes after Poland, Bulgaria and most recently Finland refused to accept Russia’s new payment …

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Sanctions Force Foreign Executives at Rosneft to Quit

European-born executives at Rosneft quit the Russian oil giant days before the EU sanctions banning European citizens from working at the state-held Russian firm entered into force, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting six sources with knowledge of the matter. The departure of the five now-former executives at Rosneft could stall …

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China Lands Record-High Saudi Crude Imports

China landed record-high volumes of Saudi crude in April as the world’s biggest oil importer increased its dependence on the Middle East, even though its overall crude imports have plunged this year. The spike in Saudi imports was probably attributable in part to official Saudi selling prices that were well …

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Russia Cuts off Finland Gas Flows over Payment Dispute

Russia’s Gazprom halted gas exports to neighbouring Finland, the latest escalation of an energy payment dispute with Western nations. Gazprom Export has demanded that European countries pay for Russian gas supplies in roubles because of sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But Finland refused to do so. “Gas imports …

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Iraq Pushes for Control of KRG Oil Revenue via New Contracts

Iraq’s efforts to control revenue collected by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have extended to requests for oil and gas firms operating in the semi-autonomous region to sign new contracts with state-owned marketer SOMO rather than the KRG. Oil Minister Ihsan Ismael on May 7 said Iraq’s oil ministry would …

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