SOCAR sources: Russia and Ukraine cannot agree on gas deal mediated by Azerbaijan
Azeri SOCAR, a leading energy company in Azerbaijan, said on Friday that Moscow and Kyiv failed to reach an agreement on the deal brokered by Azerbaijan for Russian gas to be exported to Europe via Ukraine. Azerbaijan was asked by the European Union and Ukraine to facilitate talks with Russia regarding a gas-transit deal due to expire this year. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there was no chance of a new agreement with Kyiv for the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine. Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia's invasion in Europe since February 2022 said that it would not renew a contract…
Oil Falls on Demand Worries, Market Awaits Fed Advice
Oil prices eased about 1% to a one-week low on Tuesday on demand worries following the release of negative economic news from Germany and China, while investors remained cautious ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.Brent futures fell 90 cents, or 1.2%, to $73.01 a barrel by 1:36 p.m. EST (1836 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 86 cents, or 1.2%, to $69.85. That puts both crude benchmarks on track for their lowest closes since Dec. 10 and cut the premium of Brent over WTI to a 12-week low of $3.56 a barrel…
EOG Resources to boost shareholder returns
EOG Resources announced on Friday that its debt levels would allow the oil and natural gas producer to use more than 100% free cash flow for shareholder returns. In afternoon trading, shares of the company rose by 4.8% to $132.54. The company announced that it would increase its debt to between $5 and $6 billion over the next 12-18 months. This would allow for additional cash to be available to pay out to investors. "In the short term, this does mean that we will be in a place to surpass the 70% (returns commitment) and quite frankly... at times... more than 100% return of free-cash flow to shareholders," said CEO Ezra Yacob.
Baker Hughes: US Rig Count Remains Steady
U.S. energy firms this week kept the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating unchanged for a record third week in a row, according to energy services firm Baker Hughes' data going back to 1987.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, was steady at 585 in the week to Nov. 8, Baker Hughes said on Friday. Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count down 31 rigs, or 5% below this time last year. Baker Hughes said oil rigs held at 479 this week, while gas rigs were unchanged at 102.The oil and gas rig count dropped about 20% in 2023 after rising by 33% in 2022 and 67% in 2021…
Drill, baby, drill in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale lands!
Argentina's new, market-friendly government, and concerns about oil supplies from the Middle East, and elsewhere, are driving a boom in drilling and production in the Patagonian South, which is home to the giant Vaca Muerta shale, Spanish for "Dead Cow". In the flat, arid terrain, the production of shale oil and gas is surging. Fracking wells have been drilled in record numbers, and pipelines have been built to transport gas to the capital Buenos Aires – and beyond once LNG plants are operational. A huge blue billboard, erected by the state energy giant YPF in front of Anelo's shale-town…
Egypt reduces renewable energy targets to 40% by 2040, but keeps natural gas as the main focus
The Egyptian government has revised the renewable energy goal for 2040 from 58% to 40%, said Petroleum Minister Karim Badayi on Sunday. He also stressed that natural gas would remain an important part of Egypt's energy mix in years to come. Egypt committed to increasing renewable energy production by 42% to its energy mix before hosting the COP27 summit in 2022. Later, this target was advanced to 2030. Then-Electricity minister Mohamed Shaker announced in June 2024 an ambitious plan for this to reach 58% by the year 2040. This target has now been abandoned.
Arbitration awards Kosmos Energy Senegal LNG project to BP, as the sole purchaser
Kosmos Energy announced on Tuesday that a Paris arbitrator ruled in favor of BP, preventing Kosmos to sell liquefied gas from the Greater Tortue project off Senegal and Mauritania. LNG is a key part of BP's energy transition strategy. Energy major BP has established a significant LNG pipeline across the globe, including Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria, Angola Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea are already shipping significant volumes. The International Chamber of Commerce was asked to arbitrate a dispute between Kosmos Energy (a U.S. listed oil and gas exploration firm) and BP Gas Marketing (a BP subsidiary) over the planned LNG sales of Phase 1 of GTA.
Oil and Gas Rig Numbers Drop in the US
U.S. energy firms today cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time in three weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes stated in its closely followed report on Friday.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by three to 586 in the week to Aug. 2. the overall rig count down 73, or 11%, below this time last year. Baker Hughes said oil well were consistent at 482 this week, while gas rigs fell by three to 98. focused on paying for financial obligation and improving shareholder returns rather of raising output. U.S. while U.S. gas futures were down about 24 %up until now in 2024 after plunging by 44% in 2023.
Spain's Energy Firms Look to Central Europe Markets for Green Hydrogen Deals
Spanish oil company Cepsa signed on Wednesday two agreements aimed at shipping green hydrogen between Spain and the Netherlands, a day after renewable energy giant Iberdrola took a similar step.The two Spanish companies are vying to become green hydrogen leaders, with planned investments worth billions of euros. The recent agreements will help them sell part of their expected production of green hydrogen and derivatives to industrial customers eager to decarbonize in Europe's economic powerhouse, Germany, and neighboring countries…
Valero Seeks US Approval to Import Venezuelan Oil
Valero Energy Corp, the second-largest U.S. oil refiner, is seeking Washington's permission to import Venezuelan crude, according to four people close to the matter, hoping for a repeat of the approval granted to Chevron Corp in November after a four-year ban.President Joe Biden's administration has eased some U.S. sanctions on the OPEC-member nation in an effort to encourage a political dialogue with the country's opposition. That has led to further pressure from U.S., European and Asian energy firms, but Washington has resisted any additional major steps for now.Venezuelan oil resumed flowing to the U.S.
Watch the Webinar: How oil & energy firms can gain a competitive advantage by embracing the digital future
Watch the Webinar There is an increasing expectation that oil and gas firms can demonstrate their value and efficiency through more data-centric processes, managing costs, and reacting more quickly to changing market conditions.While the sector has typically been slow to adopt digital innovations, today’s offshore energy markets are fluid and fast-changing, and the ‘business as usual’ model will not necessarily yield the best future results.AI, automation, and data-driven solutions are helping companies across industries to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and cut emissions.
Digitalization: Leveraging Digital Innovation in Offshore Energy
There is an increasing expectation that oil and gas firms can demonstrate their value and efficiency through more data-centric processes, managing costs and reacting more quickly to changing market conditions. While the sector has typically been slow to adopt digital innovations, today’s offshore energy markets are fluid and fast-changing, and the ‘business as usual’ model will not necessarily yield the best future results.AI, automation and data-driven solutions are helping companies across industries to reduce costs, improve efficiency and cut emissions.
Baker Hughes Finds US Drillers Add Most O&G Rigs Since April
U.S. energy firms this week added the most oil and natural gas rigs in a week since April as rising oil prices prompt more drillers to return to the wellpad.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose 13 to 601 in the week to Jan. 14, its highest since April 2020, said Baker Hughes in its weekly report. The total count was up 228, or 61%, over this time last year.U.S. oil rigs rose 11 to 492 this week, their highest since April 2020, while gas rigs rose two to 109, their highest since March 2020. Specifically…
US Drillers Add Oil and Gas Rigs for Fifth Week in Six
U.S. energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for the fifth time in six weeks although growth in the rig count over the past few months has slowed as drillers continue to focus on capital discipline despite firmer oil prices.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose three to 491 in the week to Aug. 6, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.The total rig count was up 244 rigs, or 99%, over this time last year. The count has more than doubled since falling to a record low of 244 during the week of Aug. 14, 2020, according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1940.U.S.
US Energy Execs See Capital Spending Rising in 2021
About half of U.S. energy company executives polled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas expect their firms to increase capital spending in 2021, and another quarter of respondents see those expenditures remaining flat next year, according to a survey released on Wednesday.The coronavirus health crisis wiped out as much as a third of global fuel demand and sent U.S. benchmark crude prices crashing in April, even ending one trading session in negative territory. Oil and gas companies slashed budgets and curtailed production.Oil prices are down 20% for the year but have recovered from the historic lows…
U.S. drillers Add Oil and Gas Rigs for 4th week in a Row
U.S. energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for a fourth week in a row as producers keep returning to the wellpad with crude prices trading above $45 a barrel since late November.The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by eight to 346 in the week to Dec. 18, the highest since May, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.That was still 467 rigs, or 57%, below this time last year.The number of operating rigs has surged since August, when it hit a record low of 244, according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1940.U.S.
US Oil Rig Count Rises for First Week Since March
U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to a record low for a 12th week in a row, although they added one oil rig in the first weekly increase since March as a recovery in crude prices tempt some producers back to the well pad. The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to an all-time low of 251 in the week to July 24, according to data on Friday from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co going back to 1940.That was 695 rigs, or 73%, below this time last year.U.S.
EU Hydrogen Plan Splits Supporters Down Color-coded Lines
Energy industry lobbyists and advocates of renewable hydrogen are divided over whether the bloc should support low-carbon hydrogen produced by fossil fuels ahead of a new EU strategy next month.The EU's executive Commission plans to publish its hydrogen strategy on July 8, which will form the basis for EU regulation and funding to scale up production of the fuel to replace fossil fuels in sectors including chemicals and transport.More than 30 industry groups and energy firms including ExxonMobil, Equinor and Uniper wrote to EU leaders…
U.S. Oil Firms Hit Brakes on Return-to-work as Virus Cases Soar
U.S. energy companies slammed the brakes on returning staff to their Houston offices as COVID-19 cases soared and top hospitals warned they could soon run out of beds for the most severely ill patients.A record number of new illnesses in Texas this week spurred local officials to impose restrictions as new cases topped 5,000 on two days in a row. Intensive care unit (ICU) beds were 97% full at Houston's Texas Medical Center, which said it may soon move to surge ICU capacity assignments, officials said.Texas Governor Greg Abbott has led a phased reopening of shops, bars and amusement parks from May 1, and businesses have rolled out their own office restarts.
Brent Hits One-month High, U.S. Oil Tops $32 as Lockdowns Ease
Oil prices jumped on Monday, with benchmark Brent hitting a one-month high and U.S. crude topping $30, supported by optimism about the reopening of economies and output cuts by major producers. Brent crude was up $2.32, or 7.1%, at $34.82 a barrel by 1344 GMT, its highest level since mid-April. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $3.35 or almost 11.4% at $32.78 per barrel, its highest since mid-March. "Optimism on the demand side of the oil equation has helped prices climb further, with gasoline demand coming back as governments ease confinement measures," said Rystad Energy’s senior oil markets analyst Paola Rodriguez Masiu.
