Despite the devastating downturn of 2020, most global majors held up quite well during the market turmoil, a Rystad Energy comparative analysis reveals after measuring key upstream performance metrics. Total outshined all other peers, as the French company not only exceled in financial and operational performance, but also was the …
Read More »OPEC Crude Output Cuts should Help U.S. shale profits in 2021
A decision by OPEC and allied countries to cut crude production through March delivered a late Christmas present for U.S. shale firms that have slashed costs, but any rise in prices spurred by the unexpected move may be just a modest stocking stuffer. U.S. crude oil production has fallen 2 …
Read More »Fears over Demand Eclipse COVID-19 Optimism after an Overnight Soaring of Prices
Oil prices dropped on Tuesday as concerns over demand in the near term in Europe and the United States returned to haunt the market after an overnight surge on progress towards a COVID-19 vaccine. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 60 cents, or 1.5%, to $39.69 a barrel …
Read More »Pandemic, Shift to Renewables Speed Up Big Oil’s S-E Asia Exit
The Covid-19 pandemic and an ongoing shift to renewables are accelerating an exodus of the world’s largest oil and gas companies from South-east Asia, dimming prospects for investment and raising the possibility of supply shortages once demand recovers. US and European oil majors have either announced or are thought to …
Read More »Oil Exploration up in the Air as Prices Dive
The coronavirus pandemic that has slammed oil demand and prices is forcing energy majors to tighten their belts on exploration, even if finding new deposits remains essential to their existence. While the sector is increasingly diversifying into greener energies such as wind power, its core business remains oil and gas. …
Read More »OPEC Raised Supply Last Month as Gulf Nations Ended Extra Cuts
OPEC’s crude production rose last month as Gulf members phased out extra supply cutbacks, but the cartel largely persevered with its strategy to revive the global oil industry. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait restored the additional output taken offline in June, when they had amplified efforts to …
Read More »Renewable Energy Is Gaining Market Share during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Renewable energy has surged to capture a record share of global electricity generation, seizing more market share during the coronavirus downturn. The steep drop in electricity demand, down by more than a fifth in some parts of the world, has hit energy producers everywhere. But because renewable energy has zero …
Read More »Oil Slips as U.S. Posts Surprise Rise in Crude Inventories
Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday as government data showed a surprise rise in U.S. crude inventories and as tensions escalated between the United States and China. Brent crude futures settled down 3 cents at $44.29 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled down 2 cents at $41.90 …
Read More »Oil Prices Ease after OPEC, Allies Agree to Taper Oil Supply Curbs
Oil prices eased on Thursday after OPEC and allies such as Russia agreed to taper record supply curbs from August, though the drop was cushioned by hopes for a swift U.S. demand pick-up after a big drawdown from the country’s crude stocks. Brent crude LCOc1 fell 27 cents, or 0.6%, …
Read More »OPEC+ may Force Extra Cuts on Cheaters as Supplies Increase in August
OPEC+ is seeking extra production cuts from members that haven’t missed their targets again in June, potentially tempering the impact of the supply resumption planned by the wider coalition next month. A technical committee that met online on Tuesday outlined plans for countries including Iraq, Nigeria and Kazakhstan to make …
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