Ecuador orders a series of power outages due to drought
The government of Ecuador announced late Monday that it would implement eight-hour power cuts every night across the Andean nation next week. It cited a severe dry spell which had caused water levels in hydroelectric plants to plummet. The government of Ecuador has declared a power shortage, which it attributes to the lack of maintenance on existing dams…
Russia is considering limiting metals exports to the West
In response to Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested this week that Moscow limit exports of metals or other commodities in which Russia has a large share on global markets. Putin mentioned uranium and nickel as well as titanium, but suggested that other commodities could be restricted, pointing out that Russia is a major producer for natural gas, diamonds, and gold.
OPEC lowers its global oil demand growth forecast for 2024 and 2025
OPEC cut its projection for the global oil demand in 2024 based on data collected so far this season. It also lowered its expectations for next year. This is the second successive downward revision by the producer group. The weaker outlook highlights the challenges that OPEC+ faces in balancing the markets. OPEC+ is made…
APPEC-Weak Oil Demand Affects Singapore Industry Gathering
Next week, the largest gathering of energy traders in Asia will be dominated by discussions about the weak demand for oil in Asia and China as well as the plans of OPEC+ producers in order to reduce supply. APPEC 2024 is organised by S&P Global Commodity Insights and will begin on Monday, in Singapore. More than 1,000 participants are expected to attend from more than 50 countries.
Kemp: Oil bears focus attention on low demand and planned production boost
Investors remain resolutely pessimistic about the future of petroleum prices, despite growing confidence that the U.S. Federal Reserve is going to cut interest rates in order to stimulate consumer spending and business investment. Fund managers sold oil futures and option last week after the rally to cover shorts the previous week quickly lost momentum.
Kemp: Oil bears focus attention on low demand and planned production boost
Investors remain resolutely pessimistic about the future of petroleum prices, despite growing confidence that the U.S. Federal Reserve is going to cut interest rates in order to stimulate consumer spending and business investment. Fund managers sold oil futures and option last week after the rally to cover shorts the previous week quickly lost momentum.
Nigeria's NNPC sends LNG cargoes from Japan to China
NNPC, the state-owned Nigerian company that produces oil and gas, has increased its shipments of liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to a Chinese port after its initial delivery to Japan in early June. Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, has the largest gas reserves on the continent, with more than 200 trillion cubic foot. It has shipped the majority of its LNG via Nigeria LNG…
OPEC faces a moment of truth about planned output increases: Kemp
Saudi Arabia and its OPEC allies will have to make a difficult decision in the coming weeks. They must decide whether they want to proceed with production increases planned for October or postpone them due an uncertain economic outlook. Saudi Arabia and its OPEC?Recent falls in Brent futures prices for the front-month, calendar spreads…
Kuwait and Qatar in negotiations for new LNG supply contract of 15 years from North Field
Qatar Energy has been in discussions with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for a long-term supply liquefied gas (LNG). This will help to meet the rising demand in Gulf Arab State for electricity generation. Four sources confirmed that the deal will see Qatar provide Kuwait with 3,000,000 metric tons of seaborne fuel per year (mtpa)…
The European gas surplus is almost gone: Kemp
The record European gas surplus that was inherited in winter 2023/24 is now largely gone, thanks to a very small accumulation of stocks so far this summer 2024.Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data shows that inventories in the European Union and United Kingdom are up just 336 Terawatt Hours (TWh).The accumulation is the lowest since 2012…
Kemp: Oil investors reduce positions to a record low amid financial meltdown.
Investors reduced their positions in petroleum to the lowest levels for at least 10 years early last week as part of a general retreat from risk amid growing concerns about a global slowdown. Over the course of the week ending August 6, hedge funds and other money mangers sold 110 million barrels equivalent in six important contracts for petroleum futures and options.
Kemp: Oil investors reduce positions to record lows amid financial meltdown.
Investors reduced their positions in petroleum to the lowest levels for at least 10 years early last week as part of a general retreat from risk amid growing concerns about a global slowdown. Over the course of the week ending August 6, hedge funds and other money managers sold 110 million barrels equivalent in six important contracts for petroleum futures and options.
Kemp: Oil traders focus on economy, not dwindling stock.
The oil prices have fallen in recent weeks, as traders focus their attention on a potential slowdown of the major economies. At the end of the month of June, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) advanced economies had 2,761,000,000 barrels of crude and refined product in their commercial stocks.
Kemp: Oil traders focus on the economy, not dwindling stock
The oil prices fell in recent weeks, as traders looked past the depletion of global inventories and focused on a future threat that could be posed by the possible slowdown of major economies.At the end of the month of June, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) advanced economies had 2,761,000…
Trafigura-Entara Consortium to Buy French Refinery
Rhone Energies, a consortium of commodity trader Trafigura and Entara LLC, has agreed with ExxonMobil's ESSO SAF to buy the Fos-sur-Mer refinery and Toulouse and Villette-de-Vienne terminals in France."Discussions with the relevant authorities are ongoing and the necessary authorizations are expected by the end of October…
Russia Ships Naphtha to China via North Sea Route
Russia is shipping a naphtha cargo via the North Sea Route (NSR) as Moscow seeks to increase supplies using the route to major trade partner China, cutting its way through European waters, traders said and Refinitiv data showed.SCF Irtysh is loaded with with 37,000 tonnes of naphtha onboard, loaded at Ust-Luga port on August 5, 2023, for delivery to China.
Iranian Oil Exports End 2022 at a High, Despite No Nuclear Deal
Iranian oil exports hit new highs in the last two months of 2022 and are making a strong start to 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to companies that track the flows, on higher shipments to China and Venezuela.Tehran's oil exports have been limited since former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 exited a 2015 nuclear…
Guyana's Oil Exports Double, with Europe Taking Half of Cargoes
Guyana's oil exports jumped 164% last year, boosted by growing output and demand for the newest Latin American oil producer's light sweet crudes, particularly in Europe, where thirsty refiners ramped up imports to replace Russian supplies.Since a consortium led by Exxon Mobil began pumping in late 2019, Guyana's shipments have soared…
Russia's Medvedev Says Oil Could Hit Up to $400 a Barrel if Japanese Proposal Adopted
Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday a reported proposal from Japan to cap the price of Russian oil at around half its current level would lead to significantly less oil on the market and could push prices above $300-$400 a barrel.Commenting on the proposal, which was reportedly put forward by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida…
EU Unveils $220B Escape Route from Russian Fossil Fuels by 2027
The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a 210 billion euro [about $220 billion] plan for Europe to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, and to use the pivot away from Moscow to quicken its transition to green energy.The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Europe's top gas supplier, has prompted the European…
