Rosneft denies reports that 'evil Sechin’ plans to takeover Russian oil giants
Rosneft is Russia's largest oil company. It denied any reports that it was planning to take over a large chunk of the Russian Oil Sector. They said these reports were an attempt to portray its CEO, Igor Sechin as a bad influence. The Wall Street Journal reported on Russia's plans to merge Rosneft with Gazprom, Lukoil and Lukoil. This would result in one of the most powerful oil companies in the world. Rosneft released a statement regarding the reports, which it called "false-flags". The company said that the reports portrayed CEO Sechin as the "Evil Sechin", and falsely implied "Igor Sechin’s insidious intents".
Canada proposes a sharp reduction in emissions from the oil and gas industry by 2030
On Monday, the Canadian government released draft regulations which would cap greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and natural gas sector. Producers will be required to reduce emissions by 35% from 2019 levels and 2030. In a press release, the Environment Ministry said that the regulations would create a cap and trade system to reward companies with better performance. It will also provide an incentive for polluting firms to improve their production processes. Ottawa stated that oil and gas production would still grow by 16% in 2030-2032 compared to 2019 levels, but without a cap. The Canadian GDP will only decrease by 0.1%.
Canada wants the energy sector to reduce emissions up to 35% from 2019 levels
The Canadian government released on Monday a draft regulation that would limit emissions of greenhouse gasses from the oil and natural gas sector to 35% below 2019 levels. This is a little less than originally anticipated. In a press release, the Environment Ministry said that the regulations would create a cap and trade system to reward companies with better performance. It will also provide an incentive for polluting firms to improve their production processes. The Liberal government originally said that it wanted to reduce emissions from the energy sector, Canada's most polluting industry, by 38% by 2030. The news release on Monday did not mention 2030.
TSX Futures Rise as Oil Supports; US Election in Focus
Crude prices lifted futures linked to Canada's major stock index on Monday as investors prepared for the highly anticipated U.S. Presidential election this week and Federal Reserve policy decision. At 6:00 a.m., December futures for the S&P/TSX Index were up 0.4%. ET (11:00 GMT). As polls show, Donald Trump and Kamalah Harris are in a close race for the U.S. elections on Tuesday. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner. This means that the result of the election will have a significant impact on Canada's markets and economy. Market participants expect the Fed to lower interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday.
EIA: US crude and gasoline inventories increase, while distillates are drawn down.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA), which is responsible for the U.S. Energy industry, announced on Wednesday that crude oil and gasoline stocks in the United States increased while distillate stockpiles fell. The EIA reported that crude inventories increased by 5.5 millions barrels, to 426,000,000 barrels for the week ending October 18. This was compared to analysts' expectations based on a poll of 270,000 barrels. The EIA reported that crude stocks at Cushing, Oklahoma's delivery hub, fell by 346,000 barrels. U.S. Crude and Brent Futures extended losses following the data.
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…
Germany strengthens domestic wind energy industry
Germany plans to provide state guarantees for the production of wind energy, it announced on Thursday. This is part of a package that aims to boost Germany's wind industry, amid concerns among European governments and businesses about Chinese firms taking a lead in this sector. Berlin will include guarantees in the KfW program for sustainable transformation, according to the Economy Ministry. Around 16 billion euros (17.34 billion dollars) of guarantees are required for a production ramp up by 2030. These measures will expand the number of companies who must comply with energy cybersecurity regulations. This includes all those that have access to power generation facilities.
The new Climate Plan of Greece sets higher renewable energy targets
A revised energy and climate policy presented on Friday sets more ambitious goals for the expansion of solar and wind power in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Athens will target an 82% share for renewables in the electricity generation in 2030, compared to a 66% goal in its previous plan for 2019. The plan is to be submitted for approval to the European Commission. The national energy and climate plans of EU member states detail their contribution towards the EU's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% or more by 2030. They also provide a roadmap for energy industry investments.
Prompt prices jump on declining wind, nuclear output
The wholesale European spot electricity price soared on Thursday due to a decline in the supply of wind and nuclear energy in the days ahead. LSEG data shows that the French baseload day-ahead power rose by 80.4% to 83.0 Euros ($90.74 per megawatt hour) at 0830 GMT. The German equivalent contract was not exchanged but displayed a range of bids and offers between 84.5-88.4 Euros compared to a closing price on Wednesday at 59.0 Euros. LSEG data shows that the German wind output will plummet on Friday to 16.9 gigawatts from 32.7 GW predicted for Thursday. Meanwhile, French production is expected to fall to 1.6 GW, from 6.5 GW during the same time period.
The UK has committed up to $28.5 billion for carbon capture projects
The government announced on Friday that it will invest up to 21.7 billion pounds (up to $28.5 billion) in 25 years for the development of carbon capture and storage technology to reduce emissions from energy, industry, and hydrogen production. Britain has set a target of achieving net zero emissions in 2050. CCS is needed to reduce emissions from industries that are energy-intensive and to create jobs. In a press release, Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated that "this game-changing technology" will bring 4,000 jobs to communities in Merseyside & Teesside as well as billions of dollars of private investment.
Natural gas producers ask Harris for answers on the battleground state
Drillers from Pennsylvania, an energy-rich state, called on Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris this week to explain her stance on natural gas. The energy industry touts it as a clean fuel but climate activists claim that the fuel is a threat to global warming. In January, President Joe Biden froze new LNG export permits to examine their environmental impact. This was a move made in the election year in order to gain support from the green voting blocs of his party. Harris is now facing Donald Trump, a Republican who has stated that he will immediately lift the freeze on permits if elected.
Putin wants BRICS to play a greater role in the global energy dialogue
On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin called for a greater role for the BRICS group on global energy markets. Russia is looking for ways to counter Western influences. The Energy Week International Forum will be held in Russia this week. It is also expected to host a meeting between the energy ministers of the BRICS countries. In a letter addressed to participants and guests of the forum, Putin stated that it was "obvious" that cooperation in the energy industry would serve to improve the quality of life for people, strengthen national economies and solve social problems.
Official: Argentina's energy subsidy cuts as government tackles fiscal deficit
Energy Secretary Eduardo Rodriguez Chirillo announced on Thursday that Argentina had reduced its energy subsides by $2.7 billion in the first seven month of the year, as part the government's aim to reduce its fiscal deficit. Rodriguez Chirillo, in a meeting held with officials from the energy industry in Houston, said that Argentina achieved a surplus of $2.9 billion between January and July. "Our mission with the new model is to allow the investor to design his (...) model and know that he can export," said Rodriguez Chirillo. At the same meeting…
Spanish PM calls on EU to reconsider tariffs against Chinese EVs
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated on Wednesday that the European Union should reconsider its proposed import tariffs for Chinese-made electric cars, and urged Brussels to avoid a trade conflict. Sanchez's remarks during a trip to China indicate a shift in Spain's stance, which had previously supported the tariffs. He also expressed concern over the potential impact of the EU-China Trade Spat on Spanish industry. "I must be honest, we all have to rethink our position. Sanchez, speaking at an event held in an industrial park of the Chinese city Kunshan, said that not only the European Commission but all the member countries must reconsider their position.
Poland's 2030 climate plan includes 56% renewable energy
The climate minister announced on Thursday that Poland aims to have 56% of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. She was presenting the draft national energy and climate plans, which Warsaw must submit to the European Commission. The target is lower than the pre-election promise of the largest party in government, that Poland would have upto 70% of green energy in the mix by 2030 but higher than the 50% Poland declared back in February. Paulina Hennig Kloska said at a press conference that "we are no longer fighting in government over the basic parameters of this plan.
Offshore Energy Production & the World Economy
As the price of gas continues to seemingly hold steady at around three dollars a gallon, the pocketbooks of Americans continue to suffer. Regretfully, due to global conflict and the outbreak of wars across Europe and the Middle East, oil prices are continuing to climb upwards, troubled by geopolitical conflict and fears of a potential shutdown of international oil and gas fields.Thankfully, the United States has long been blessed with tremendous sources of domestic energy that, if properly utilized, can protect us from suffering a similar energy-reliance disaster as experienced in Europe.
Exxon Secures Lead in top US Oilfield with $60B Buy of Shale Rival Pioneer
Exxon Mobil agreed to buy U.S. rival Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $59.5 billion that would make it the biggest producer in the largest U.S. oilfield and secure a decade of low-cost production.The deal, valued at $253 a share, combines the largest U.S. oil company with one of the most successful names to emerge from the shale revolution that turned the U.S. into the world's largest oil producer in little more than a decade.Exxon Chief Executive Darren Woods said in a media briefing the combination provides a big opportunity for synergies between the companies."We basically closed this deal fairly quickly…
Exxon in Advanced Talks for $60B Acquisition of Pioneer - Sources
Exxon Mobil is in advanced talks to acquire Pioneer Natural Resources in a deal that could value the Permian shale basin producer at about $60 billion, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The acquisition would be Exxon's biggest since its $81 billion deal for Mobil in 1998 and would expand its footprint in one of the most lucrative regions of the U.S. oil patch.Pioneer's shares rose nearly 12% to $240.47 in premarket trading on Friday while Exxon slipped 1.7%.Pioneer, which had a market value as of Thursday of $50 billion, is the third-largest producer of oil in the Permian basin after Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips.
Ten Things to Consider When Choosing Your Digital Twin Provider
Kongsberg Digital’s Brian Sidle identifies the top ten things to consider when choosing a provider for cloud-based digital twins in the energy sector.The energy sector’s heavy asset operators stand to benefit greatly from a cloud-based digital twin, but successful digital transformation initiatives can be elusive – especially when it comes to sustaining long-term performance improvements. Whether the digital twin journey is driven by the CTO, CFO, or others within an organization, the right partner can significantly increase the probability of success in managing the process of change.Since digital transformation is top of mind for the industry…
Technip Energies Sets Up Green Hydrogen JV, Beats Quarterly Earnings Expectations
French oil and gas services group Technip Energies on Thursday announced a green hydrogen solutions joint-venture with Belgian group John Cockerill, while reporting stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings. The need to combat climate change, along with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have created opportunities for energy service firms, with increased investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-carbon energy sources as Western countries impose sanctions on Moscow's energy exports. The JV, named Rely, will be 60% owned by Technip Energies and 40% by John Cockerill, and aims to reach revenues of more than 1 billion euros by 2030, the group said.
