Taiwan: Buying more US oil and gas is the focus of tariff talks
Taiwan's trade talks with the United States are centered on increasing purchases of U.S. oil and natural gas, said President Lai Ching Te. Lai has promised to pursue a zero-tariff regime with the United States, and to buy and invest more within the country. He is trying to thwart President Donald Trump's import tariffs that are now on hold. Lai, who spoke to environmental groups at the White House, called on the government to support the importation of more energy from America. His office quoted him as saying that "increased purchases from the United States including natural gas and oil…
Shell completes survey of Venezuelan gas field as winding down of license approaches
Shell, the oil and gas company, plans to finish a marine survey of the offshore Dragon gas field in Venezuela before the May deadline set by the United States to close all energy licenses in the country. According to LSEG vessel tracking data, the Colombian-flagged Dona Jose II survey vessel arrived in Venezuela sanctioned by the U.S. this month to collect data for Shell and Trinidad’s National Gas Company. Two sources said that the exploration work will be completed within the next few weeks and allow the company determine drilling locations as well as pipeline design…
Asian countries are looking to purchase more US energy in order to balance trade imbalance
As they try to reduce their trade surpluses with Washington, Asian governments are buying more U.S. gas and oil in order to ease their tariff burdens due to President Donald Trump’s new import duties. Many Asian countries have large trade surpluses and also are major energy importers. Trump's tariffs have caused economic and market turmoil. Here are some measures Asian countries will take to increase their purchases of U.S. gas and oil. Energy Minister Bahlil lahadalia said to local media…
Trump Administration kicks off plan to expand offshore drilling
The U.S. The U.S. Donald Trump ordered the government to find ways to increase U.S. oil production. He argued that previous administrations had curtailed drilling unnecessarily to combat climate changes. He also rescinded the efforts of former president Joe Biden to stop oil drilling in the Arctic, and large areas along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and Pacific Coast. In a recent press release, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that "Under the leadership of President Donald J. Interior…
After hearing, US judge decides on bid starting price in Citgo parent sale
In the coming days, a U.S. Court is expected to confirm and reject a $3.7billion offer made by an affiliate of Contrarian Funds. The offer was intended to set a floor price for a second round of bidding for shares in Citgo Petroleum's parent company. Citgo, America's seventh-largest refiner, was the subject of a Thursday hearing at which creditors made their case. PDV Holding is auctioned off to cover the up to $21 Billion owed to Venezuela and PDVSA, its state-owned oil company. The auction is being overseen by Robert Pincus who recommended Red Tree Investments last month.
Thailand will import more US LNG in the next five years.
Thailand will import more LNG from the United States in the next five-year period, said Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira on Wednesday. This was ahead of next week's meeting with U.S. officials to discuss tariffs. He said that there is an agreement for the import of 1 million metric tonnes of LNG valued at $500 million in 2020 as part of a plan to total 15 million tons over 15 years starting in 2026. Pichai stated that Thailand plans to sign an additional contract worth $600 million for the purchase of more than 1,000,000 tons of U.S. LNG over the next five-year period.
Ecopetrol president warns that lower oil prices could reduce profits for the full year by $2.8 billion
Ecopetrol, Colombia's state-owned oil company, warned that lower oil prices could cause its profits to drop by as much as 12 trillion pesos (2.76 billion dollars) this year. Ecopetrol's president Ricardo Roa said to journalists at an industry event that the company may have to stop producing in some fields, and instead focus on others with lower costs. Brent futures were at $63.45 per barrel on Friday. This was due to concerns about an intensifying trade conflict between the United States of America and China. Roa stated that the drop in crude prices has a significant impact on Ecopetrol profits.
SLB and ChampionX may accept the remedial measures proposed by UK watchdog
The British competition regulator announced on Thursday that it may accept the measures proposed by the oilfield services company SLB and its smaller rival ChampionX in order to address concerns about antitrust regarding the two companies’ proposed $8 billion merger. The two companies will be relieved by the announcement, as last month the competition watchdog warned that SLB's purchase of ChampionX would lead to a substantial reduction in the UK's level of competition unless they proposed remedial measures.
Masdar, a UAE renewable energy company, has completed the purchase of Terna Energy in Greece
Masdar, the renewable energy company of the United Arab Emirates, announced on Thursday that it had acquired a 100% stake in Terna Energy Greece, following its purchase of a majority share last year. This is a step further in their international expansion strategy. Masdar has increased its presence on European markets over the past few months, in an effort to capitalize on opportunities in a market that is being hit by rising interest rates and debt costs. In November, it acquired 70% of Terna at 20 euros per share in a deal valued at 3.2 billion euro ($3.52 billion).
US refiners are unlikely to spend large amounts to process more domestic crude oil
It can be expensive and time-consuming to change refinery configuration. The margins and yields of refineries can be affected by using different types of crude. By Arathy S. Analysts and industry sources said that U.S. refiners do not plan to invest heavily to process more crude oil domestically and less oil imported from Canada and Mexico. This is a major obstacle to President Trump’s plan to increase oil production. Trump's pledge of unleashing U.S. production and lowering prices for consumers focused on increasing domestic drilling.
Argentina wants to increase lithium production by 75% by 2025 and sees no danger from trade war
The Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies said that Argentina, which is the fifth largest lithium producer in the world, will produce 130,800 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate (LCE) by 2025. This represents a 75 percent increase over 2024. According to Alejandra Cardona of CAEM, the executive director, a major boost in production will come from the expansion of operations in Catamarca, Jujuy and Salta, which are the provinces north with the biggest lithium operations. Cardona reports that Argentina has six lithium operations. Four of these have recorded production of LCE of 74.600 tons in 2024.
Sources say Vitol will post a net profit of $8 to $8.5 billion in 2024.
Two industry sources said that Vitol was the world's largest energy trader in 2024. This is a significant drop from its record-breaking profits of 2022 and 203, but it still outperformed rivals by an enormous margin, despite lower volatility. The energy traders made record profits between 2022 and 2023, as the market recovered from the pandemic. They also faced shortages of gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Vitol has declined to comment. Vitol has made $45 billion over the past five years, a figure that was previously unimaginable to oil traders.
Canadian oil and Gas CEOs avoid rash decisions during the price crash
On Tuesday, CEOs of Canadian producers of oil and gas said they were trying to avoid taking sudden decisions as the global oil price hovers around four-year lows. Doug Bartole said that his Calgary-based company, InPlay Oil, does not expect to reduce production or capital expenditures in the near future, despite recent oil price drops due to tariffs. Don't take any rash decision. Bartole stated in an interview that it was best to take a long-term view and wait for the outcome. He said this could change, however, if the price of oil continues to fall.
CF Industries and a JV form a $4 billion low-carbon Ammonia facility
CF Industries announced on Tuesday that it has formed a joint-venture with Japan's biggest energy company, JERA, as well as investment firm Mitsui, to build a low-carbon ammonia plant for around $4 billion. Why is it important? The largest climate change legislation passed in the U.S. in 2022 was aimed at launching a boom of clean energy products in America, including those with low carbon emissions. Ammonia manufacturer CF Industries has said that it expects to qualify for a 45Q tax credit based on the sequestration and storage of approximately 2.3 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Canadian oil and Gas CEOs avoid rash decisions during the price crash
Two Canadian oil and natural gas producers have said that they want to avoid taking rash decisions as the global oil price hovers around a four-year low and fears of a recession grow. Doug Bartole said that his Calgary-based company, InPlay Oil, does not anticipate reducing its production or capital expenditures in the near future, despite recent oil price drops due to tariffs. Don't take any rash decision. Bartole stated in an interview that it was best to take a long-term view and wait for the outcome. He said this could change, however, if the price of oil continues to fall.
Indonesia makes trade concessions to the US before talks
Indonesia made a series of concessions to the U.S. on Tuesday. These included reducing taxes on steel and electronic goods, in advance of negotiations with Washington regarding President Donald Trump's tariffs. Next week, the largest economy in South East Asia will send a delegation of high-level officials to the United States to seek a deal that would ease the impact on Wednesday's 32% tariff. Airlangga Hartarto will lead Indonesia's delegation to the U.S. and said that Indonesia intends to purchase liquefied gas, liquefied gas natural, and soybeans as part of its negotiations.
Bolivians tighten their belts after a new reality of inflation bites
Angelica Zapata, a Bolivian homemaker in La Paz's highland, is learning to accept a new reality of inflation. Prices are rising at their fastest rate in nearly two decades due to the shortages in fuel and dollars. Landlocked gas and grain producers are facing their most severe economic crisis since the global financial crises. Foreign currency reserves have been dwindling due to stalled exports and energy production, which has stoked unrest and protests. The dollar shortage is causing imports to be stymied, driving up farmer's costs and resulting in long lines at the gas station.
US Energy Dept identifies thousands at risk of DOGE reductions, reports AP
A report by the Associated Press on Friday said that the U.S. Energy Department had identified thousands of employees it deemed non-essential. This includes staff at its office which manages America's nuclear arsenal. These workers would not be protected during a second round. It reported that more than 8,500 employees across the department, and 500 positions within the National Nuclear Security Administration (which also works to secure nuclear materials around the globe) were deemed as "non-essential," citing a report.
Venture Global reports that it exported 29 cargoes of LNG from Plaquemines plant in Q1
Venture Global, a U.S. developer of liquefied gas in Louisiana, exported 29 cargoes during the first quarter 2025 from its Plaquemines plant. The company announced this in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday. Venture Global reported that it had received an average fixed liquefaction charge of $7.26 for every million British thermal unit (mmBtu), from its Plaquemines Plant, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company played a key role in helping America become the largest exporter of super-cooled gas…
US to develop AI on Energy Department Lands
On Thursday, the administration of Donald Trump announced that it had identified 16 sites in the U.S. Department of Energy where data centers and energy plants to support artificial intelligence could be built. The rapid growth of AI has led to a boom in the demand for power in the United States, which is unprecedented in 20 years. Big Tech companies and utilities are scrambling to build data centers and new power plants. The DOE stated that the potential sites were positioned to allow rapid construction of data centers…
