To see the gulf between China’s ambitious carbon-neutral goals and the desire of its companies to maintain breakneck growth, look at Shandong’s oil refineries. The coastal province, a hub of private factories with an economy the size of Indonesia’s, issued a notice urging local industry, and especially oil and petrochemical …
Read More »Iraq Walks Away from $2B Upfront Oil Deal with China
Iraq has decided against signing an oil-supply deal with a Chinese state company that would’ve seen the cash-strapped Arab nation get about $2 billion upfront, according to its oil minister. Baghdad opted not to go ahead with the contract after oil prices rose in recent months, Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said …
Read More »OPEC Target Gets Harder to Reach for Iraq as Oil Exports Jump
Iraq’s crude oil exports jumped in the first half of February even after OPEC’s second-biggest producer pledged to cut production this month. The group and partners including Russia are restraining supply with the coronavirus pandemic still raging. The alliance, known as OPEC+, is seeking to ensure a 66% rally in …
Read More »Iran Calls US Attempt to Seize Oil Act of Piracy
Iran said an attempt by the U.S. government to seize 2 million barrels of oil aboard a Greek-owned tanker was “an act of piracy,” as tensions between Washington and the Islamic Republic show little sign of easing under Joe Biden’s presidency. Washington claims the crude on the Achilleas ship was …
Read More »IEA Cuts Global Oil Consumption Estimates for 2021 as Virus Persists
The re-balancing of global oil markets remains “fragile” amid weaker estimates for demand and a recovery in supplies, the International Energy Agency said. The IEA cut forecasts for world oil consumption in 2021 by 200,000 barrels a day as the pandemic continues to limit travel and economic activity. It boosted …
Read More »Exxon’s Rating Lowered by One Notch After $20 Billion Loss
Exxon Mobil Corp.’s credit rating was lowered one notch by S&P Global Ratins even as oil prices rebound from a historic pandemic-driven crash. Exxon is now rated ‘AA-’ with a negative outlook, S&P said in a statement on Thursday. The rating agency warned earlier this year that oil explorers risked …
Read More »OPEC+ will Keep Oil Output Steady Next Month
Iraq said the OPEC+ oil cartel is unlikely to change its production policy at next month’s meeting and repeated promises to deliver overdue output cuts, even as the Arab nation’s economy reels. The group of crude exporters meets on March 4 and members will probably agree to keep output steady …
Read More »OPEC Won’t Change Policy at Next Meeting
Iraq said the OPEC+ oil cartel is unlikely to change its production policy at next month’s meeting and repeated promises to deliver overdue output cuts, even as the Arab nation’s economy reels. The group of crude exporters meets on March 4 and members will probably agree to keep output steady …
Read More »Qatar Hires Builders for $29 Billion LNG Expansion Project
Qatar Petroleum selected Chiyoda Corp. and TechnipFMC Plc for the main construction contract to expand its liquefied natural gas production capacity by 43%. Qatar’s energy minister and QP Chief Executive Officer Saad Al-Kaabi signed the agreement, worth about $13 billion, with the two companies at a ceremony in Doha on …
Read More »OPEC+ Success with Oil Strategy Buys Time before Tough Choices
OPEC and its allies can celebrate their success in steadying world oil markets when they gather this week. But the coalition will soon be faced with some tough choices. Last month’s pledge by Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to slash production by a further 1 million barrels …
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