Major Gulf bourses see gains as earnings season progresses
Investors focused on corporate earnings drove the early trading on Tuesday on major stock markets across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia's benchmark indices gained?0.4% led by an increase of 0.9% in Al?Rajhi bank. The bank's net profit was 24.79 billion Saudi riyals, up from 19.72 billion the year before. Al Rajhi announced a dividend of 1,75 riyals per share for the second quarter, a rise of nearly 20% compared to last year's same period.
Trinidad's BP head says the company is interested in cross border opportunities with Venezuela
BP's Trinidad and Tobago head said Monday that the oil and?gas?major was still interested in cross border opportunities with Venezuela despite a?government in Caracas that suspended all bilateral energy deals with its neighbor in last year. BP and Shell were granted licenses to develop offshore natural-gas projects along the maritime?border by the U.S. David Campbell, BP's spokesman, said: "There is a logic of industrial?reasoning?
Abu Dhabi's XRG raises Rio Grande LNG project stake
Abu Dhabi's state-owned energy company, XRG, announced on Monday that it was buying an additional 7.6% stake in two liquefied natural gas trains in the Rio Grande LNG Project in Texas. This investment will deepen its involvement in the largest export facility in the world. XRG announced that it is acquiring the stakes in Trains 4 & 5 from Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a company which has now been absorbed by BlackRock.
Shell Nigeria announces progress on $20 billion Bonga South West Oilfield
Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's President, has approved "investment linked" incentives for Shell’s Bonga South West Deepwater Oilfield. This follows a meeting between the CEO of the company Wael Sawan and the Nigerian president. Wael Sawan indicated that the project could be greenlit in 2027. The incentives proposed are part of a series of regulatory reforms that have been implemented in Africa's…
Floods in Mozambique force thousands of people to flee, President cancels Davos trip
Witnesses and officials reported that severe floods in Mozambique caused by heavy rainfall forced thousands to leave their homes. Some were left stranded atop roofs while surging waters swamped settlements. Daniel Chapo, the president of Venezuela, cancelled his trip to Davos to attend a World Economic Forum and stated on social media that the "absolute priority" at this time is to save lifes.
Mozambique president cancels Davos trip due to severe floods
Mozambique President Daniel Chapo cancelled his trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum this week because of severe flooding that has?damaged the infrastructure and affected hundreds of thousands in the Southern African nation. Chapo said in a Facebook post late Sunday night that Mozambique is "going through a difficult?time" and the priority right now is to save lives. In a report published on Sunday…
Ivanhoe achieves 2025 copper and zinc production targets as Kamoa Kakula smelter ramps-up
Ivanhoe Mines said it had met its output targets for 2025 at the 'Kamoa Kakula Copper Complex and Kipushi Zinc Mine in Congo. It also issued a guidance that pointed to a steady recovery following a year-long disruption and an important smelter ramp up. Kamoa-Kakula, widely considered as one of the most important new copper sources in the world, makes details of Canadian miner Ivanhoe’s…
Nordzucker, a German sugar company, expects to lose money as the market for sugar remains weak
Nordzucker, Germany's second largest sugar refiner, warned that it could suffer an operating loss due to the low EU sugar prices, which are affecting producers across the market. The unlisted company stated that it expects a loss of operating income in the high double-digit millions for the current year. This is much worse than anticipated. In its previous financial year, it reported an operating profit of 100 million euros ($116 million).
Wall Street clamors to offer advice on Rio-Glencore and the $100 million prize
Wall Street advisors could earn more than $100,000,000 in fees if Rio Tinto acquires Glencore and creates the world's biggest mining company, worth more than 200 billion dollars. Three people familiar with the matter said that after Rio and Glencore announced on Thursday their intention to merge, they were now racing for a piece of the pie. Rio's representative, who has until the 5th of February to submit a formal bid for Glencore…
Equinor, a Norwegian company, awards ten-billion-dollar five-year contracts to suppliers
Equinor announced on Thursday that it had signed framework agreements with a group of suppliers worth 100 billion Norwegian crowns (9.93 billion dollars) for the maintenance and modification of its offshore?and onshore?installations. Aibel Group, Wood Group and IKM Group as well as Head Energy, Rosenberg Worley and Aker Solutions signed new five-year deals with the option to extend them by another three and two years.
South Africa relaxes antitrust rules for companies facing high electricity costs
South Africa has loosened its antitrust regulations to allow firms battling high energy costs to build energy infrastructure together and negotiate contracts collectively. In a government announcement seen by on Tuesday, South Africa's Trade Minister Parks Tau stated that the new measure was meant to help?distressed industry. The Minerals Council of South Africa says that electricity costs have increased by over 900% in the last five years.
US Natural Gas Futures Rise as Forecasts Predict Colder Weather
U.S. natural gas futures rose on Friday in thin-volume trading and were on track for a weekly gain, ending a two-week losing streak, as forecasts pointed to colder weather and increased demand in the weeks ahead.Front-month gas futures for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange were up 4.4 cents, or 1% at $4.29 per million British thermal units. The contract was up 8.5% so far this week.Prices reached their highest level since December 11…
US EPA anticipates finalizing biofuel regulations in the first quarter of 2026
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to finalize the 2026 and 2027 mandates for biofuel blends in 2026, 2027, and 2028, which were originally expected to be finalized in late October or in the first quarter of next year. The Trump administration has pushed one of its most important energy policies into 2026. Companies say that without clarity on quotas they are forced hold back on deals, and to delay spending decisions which shape output and margins.
Nigerian oil companies strike deals with flare-gas to reduce emissions and boost energy
Heirs Energys, a Nigerian oil company and the state-owned NNPC announced on Wednesday that they had signed agreements to capture and monetise the gas that is otherwise wasted by flaring. Flaring is the act of burning fuel in the open. Nigeria has the largest gas reserves in Africa and relies on gas to fuel industrial growth and reduce emissions. The Decade of Gas is a policy that aims to increase domestic gas supply, reduce flaring, and expand LNG exports.
EUROPE GAS-European Prices Rise on Slightly Stronger Demand Outlook
Dutch and British gas rates firmed up on Tuesday. Forecasts suggest a slightly higher demand, although both pipeline?and liquefied (LNG?) supply remain robust. LSEG data revealed that the benchmark Dutch front-month MWh contract at TTF hub had increased by 0.16?euros to 27.33 euros (MWh) or $9.33/mmBtu as of 0913 GMT. It fell to its lowest level in April 2024, 26.75 Euros/MWh on Monday. The Dutch day-ahead contracts eased by 0.03 euros, to 26.77 Euros/MWh.
Glencore reduces copper target for next year, aiming at 1.6 million tonnes by 2035
Glencore cut Wednesday its copper production guidance for 2026, but stated that it hopes to reach 1.6 millions metric tons of copper by 2035 with new and restarted mining operations and streamlined processes. Gary Nagle, CEO of Glencore, said at the first investor day held in London for three years that "we have a path to surpass 1 million tonnes annual production in our base copper business by 2028".
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain its oil production policy.
Four OPEC+ sources have said that OPEC+ is likely to leave the oil production levels unchanged during its Sunday meetings. The group has slowed down its efforts to regain market shares amid fears of a looming glut. The meeting of OPEC+ - which pumps half the world's crude oil - comes at a time when the United States is trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which would increase oil supplies if sanctions against Russia were eased.
Sources say that OPEC+ will maintain its oil production policy on Sunday.
Three delegates said that OPEC+ will likely leave the oil production levels for the first three months of 2026 unchanged when it meets on Sunday. This would moderate the push to regain the market share amid fears about a looming glut of supply. Oil prices are under pressure due to the prospect of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Brent crude oil closed Friday at $63 per barrel, down 15% for the year.
German Protest on Monday is boosted by lower wind output
German power prices will likely rise on Monday due to a decline in wind power production, which is offset by a small drop in demand. LSEG data shows that the German and French baseload power contracts for Monday were not traded by 0909 GMT Friday. LSEG data shows that German wind power production is expected to drop by 3.7 gigawatts on Monday to 24.9 GW. Meanwhile, French wind power is expected to increase 3.5 GW from 10.9 GW.
EUROPE GAS - European prices stable in a new lower range
The Dutch and British contracts for gas were slightly weaker Thursday, but they remained at 18-month lows, hit earlier in the week, due to milder weather and abundant supply, as well as hopes of a Ukraine Peace Deal. However, some winter risks still remain. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was 29.05 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) or $9.86/mmBtu at 0925 GMT. This is a decrease of 0.20 euros.