Australian state approves Kimberley fracking plan, drawing anger
The state's environmental protection agency approved a controversial fracking proposal in Western Australia's remote, ecologically sensitive Kimberley region on Tuesday. This angered environmental campaigners. Bennett Resources, an American-based private subsidiary, Black Mountain Energy, presented its Valhalla Plan in 2021 for fracking?upto?20 wells. Later, it increased the amount water needed per well from 40 to 100 millions litres.
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). EU sugar prices have fallen to a four-year-low and world sugar prices are at a?five-year-low.
US permits talks about Lukoil’s foreign assets to continue until February 28,
The U.S. Department of Treasury on Wednesday extended the license for companies to 'talk' with Russian energy giant Lukoil regarding buying their foreign assets by more than one month, until February 28, 2019. On October 22, President Donald Trump sanctioned Lukoil, one of Russia's largest energy companies, and Rosneft, the other, as part a campaign to put pressure on Moscow for its involvement in Ukraine. Lukoil listed its assets for sale soon after.
Climate activist shareholder group pushes BP, Shell on plans for declining oil demand
The group Follow This, a climate activist shareholder group, and more than?20 investors filed resolutions on Wednesday asking BP and Shell how they would create value if the global demand for gas and oil declined. The resolutions are a strategic change on the part the Dutch activist group. In April, it announced that it had been forced to stop its campaign to get major oil and gas producers to commit to emissions reductions due to a lack investor interest.
Climate activist shareholder group pushes BP, Shell on plans for declining oil demand
The group Follow This, a climate activist shareholder group, and'more than '20 other investors filed resolutions on Wednesday calling on BP to explain how it will generate value if the global demand for gas and oil declines. The resolutions are a strategic change on the part the Dutch activist group. In April, it announced that it had to suspend its campaign to get major oil and gas companies to commit to emission?cuts due to lack of investor interest. Follow This filed climate resolutions during shareholder meetings starting in 2016.
What's at stake in Uganda’s presidential elections?
On Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his four decade rule in an election which has raised questions about his eventual successor. Although political analysts claim that Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), his party, are almost certain to win the presidential and parliamentary election due to their stranglehold over Ugandan institutions, the outcome of the vote could have significant implications for the 'path' forward for the country. Who are the candidates?
Veteran Ugandan leader eyes new term amid succession talk
After a violent campaign and questions over his successor, it is expected that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will extend his four-decade reign in an election held on Thursday. Museveni, a former rebel leader and former president who toppled his predecessor in 1986 is now 81 years old and faces seven opponents. He claims that another four years at the helm - his seventh term – would enable him to "protect" Uganda's relative stability and peace. Bobi Wine is the main challenger among the seven candidates.
TotalEnergies Snags Exploration Nod Offshore Lebanon
French oil company TotalEnergies TTEF.PA has obtained government approval for a new exploration permit offshore Lebanon, it said on Friday.Total, which owns a 35% operating stake in the permit, will begin 3D seismic surveys on Block 8 with partners Eni ENI.MI (35%) and QatarEnergy (30%).The French company began looking for natural gas in Lebanon in late 2022, following the government's landmark agreement of a maritime border with Israel in the Mediterranean Sea.
Oil Edges Lower as US Reaches Import Deal with Venezuela
Oil extended declines on Wednesday as investors digested statements from President Donald Trump that the U.S. had reached a deal to import up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude, a move that would lift supplies to the world's largest oil consumer.Brent crude futures were down 40 cents, or 0.7%, to trade at $60.31 a barrel by 11:05 a.m. ET (1605 GMT) after falling to $59.88 a barrel earlier in the session.U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 74 cents…
Oil Prices Fall After Biggest Annual Loss Since 2020
Oil prices dipped on their first trading day of 2026 after registering their biggest annual loss since 2020 as investors weighed oversupply concerns against geopolitical risks, including the war in Ukraine and Venezuela exports.Brent crude futures lost 55 cents to $60.29 a barrel by 11:16 a.m. ET (1616 GMT) on Friday while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 53 cents at $56.89.Russia and Ukraine traded allegations of attacks on civilians on New Year's Day despite talks overseen by U.S.
What just happened? Ten charts that will help you understand the market in 2025
The past year will not be forgotten soon. The conventional wisdom about investor behavior and economics was often challenged in 2025 as technology, energy, and geopolitics influenced markets in unexpected ways. Here are ten charts that explain what happened in the year 2025, and what this might mean for 2019. Donald?Trump’s "America First " agenda was a key driver of market growth in 2025, particularly during the first half. The U.S. President wasted no time in delivering on campaign promises to move?from "free" trade to "fair trade".
What just happened? Ten charts that will help you understand the market in 2025
The past year will not be forgotten soon. The conventional wisdom about investor behavior and economics was often challenged in 2025 as technology, energy, and geopolitics influenced markets in unexpected ways. Here are 10 charts to help you understand what happened in the year 2025, and what that might mean for 2019. Donald Trump's?America First? agenda was a key market driver for 2025, particularly during the first half of the calendar year. The U.S.
Engineers say that Iraq's gas supply from Iran, which was halted for a while, is expected to resume within a week.
An?engineer from the?electricity ministry said on Wednesday that Iraq's gas supply from Iran should resume within a few days. The electricity ministry announced on Tuesday that gas flow from Iran has been stopped due to the shutting down of some generators and the reduction of load in others. As a result, the ministry reported that between 4,000 and 4,500 megawatts have been lost in?the electric system. Iran provides between a third and 40 percent of Iraq's power and gas needs.
Wall Street Journal, December 23,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories, and cannot vouch for the accuracy of their content. Trump's administration has suspended the leases for?five? large offshore wind farms that are currently under construction off of the U.S. East Coast due to what they called national security concerns. This sent shares in offshore wind companies plummeting. Oracle…
Minister says South Korea's petrochemical companies are on track to reduce their output by up to 3.7 million tons.
South Korea's petrochemical companies are on course to reduce up to 3.7 metric tons of production under a voluntary program to overhaul the oversupplied industry and improve flagging profits margins, said the?industry? minister on Monday. Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Industry, said that 16 companies including major naphtha producers had submitted blueprints before the year-end deadline, as requested by the authorities. These blueprints would form the basis for a 'quick way to restructure industry.
Russia's monthly oil revenue is set to reach its lowest level since August 2020
Calculations showed that the Russian state's oil and gas revenues in December are likely to drop by almost half from a year ago, reaching 410 billion Russian roubles (5.17 billion dollars), due to lower crude prices and stronger roubles. Calculations showed that oil and gas revenues are the Kremlin's main source of income. They account for a quarter the federal budget, which has been depleted by heavy defence and security expenditures since Russia started its military campaign against Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia's oil & gas revenues are expected to drop by half in December, reaching their lowest level since August 2020
Calculations showed that the Russian state's oil and gas revenue is likely to drop by almost half in December, compared to a year earlier. This will be due to lower crude prices as well as a stronger rouble. The Finance Ministry had forecast 8.65 trillion roubles for the year. Calculations based on official statistics and data from industry sources suggest that the total revenue will fall by nearly a quarter, to 8.44 trillion. In August 2020…
US permits negotiations over Lukoil’s foreign assets to take place until January 17, 2019.
The United States extended Wednesday a deadline for negotiations to buy the global assets of Russian Oil?company Lukoil. It was originally set at?January 17th. Lukoil's assets were put up for sale soon after President Donald Trump imposed sanctions against the two largest Russian energy companies on October 22, as part of a campaign to pressure Moscow regarding its war in Ukraine. The assets of the company, which include oil fields, refineries and a retail gas station network, are valued at $22 billion.
China's giant polysilicon companies set up an acquisition firm to combat oversupply
Local media reported that Chinese polysilicon manufacturers have established an acquisition?company in order to help restructure a sector plagued by an oversupply. However, it is unclear whether the firm has any concrete plans to purchase and shut down excess capacity. According to the business registration platform Qichacha, Beijing Guanghe Qiancheng Technology was registered on December 9, with assets of 3 billion yuan (424.7 million dollars) and 10 shareholders.
Ananym Capital launches activist campaign after acquiring stake in Siemens Energy
The Financial Times reported that Ananym Capital owns a stake in Siemens Energy, a German company. It is pushing Siemens to separate its wind business. Ananym has 'launched a campaign of activism against the company,' FT reported, citing sources familiar with the issue. The stake was not disclosed. Charlie Penner and Alex Silver, a former P2 partner, founded the activist hedge fund last year. Penner was the architect of a three-seat win at Exxon Mobil by 2021.