Saturday, March 29, 2025

Energy Sector News

Vingroup Vietnam plans LNG and renewable energy ventures

Vingroup, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, announced on Tuesday that it is looking to develop renewable energy sources and liquefied gas power plants. This would be the company's first ventures in the energy sector. The state-run newspaper VietnamNet reported, citing documents the company had submitted to the Government, that the company wanted to be added to a revised national power development plan. Vingroup responded to the request for comment by saying it was "interested and studying this issue" and that more information would be provided at a future date.

Mexican tycoon Slim targets two of Pemex’s key fields to gain clout within the energy sector

Sources familiar with the matter say that the Mexican state energy company Pemex has been in contact with Carlos Slim, and the billionaire could be asked to help fund two of the most promising crude oil fields and natural gas deposits in the country. These negotiations, which were not previously reported, show Slim's increasing influence in Mexico's energy sector. His business empire, which includes telecommunications and banking, retail, insurance, and hospitality, is expanding.

CERAWEEK - Venezuela's opposition drafts an energy reform to increase foreign pressure on Maduro

According to sources, the Venezuelan opposition has developed a proposal that allows international companies to participate in energy reforms. This is a bid to gain support from Big Oil, and President Donald Trump’s administration. This month, Trump's administration canceled an important license for U.S. Oil Major Chevron to work in Venezuela citing President Nicolas Maduro’s lack of electoral Reforms. The opposition leaders took advantage of the situation to increase pressure on Maduro.

Venezuela's opposition drafts an energy reform in order to increase foreign pressure on Maduro

According to sources, and according to a summary seen by the. Opposition leaders see the re-election Donald Trump as a chance to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. This month, Trump's administration canceled an important license for U.S. Oil Major Chevron in Venezuela, citing the lack of electoral reforms by President Nicolas Maduro. The reform of Venezuela's hydrocarbon laws may appeal to oil companies from around the world, including those based in the United States.

Ministers and executives say that if sanctions are eased, Europe will avoid Russian energy.

Ministers and executives at a Houston conference said that European buyers will not return to Russia's Energy Sector if the sanctions are lifted. The bloc has diversified its power mix by using renewable energy and alternative suppliers of gas. According to a joint U.S. and Ukrainian statement released on Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to accept the U.S. proposal of an immediate 30-day truce in order to restore a lasting peace following Russia's invasion. Last week, it was reported that the U.S.

VinFast to install EV charger stations throughout Indonesia, Minister says

After President Prabowo met with company representatives on Tuesday, Indonesia's Investment Minister said that Vietnamese electric car maker VinFast plans to install up to 100,000 charging stations throughout the country. VinFast, a factory located in West Java Province and with a capacity of 50,000 vehicles per year, will begin operations next year. Last year, the company broke ground for a $200 million EV Assembly Plant. VinFast didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. After meeting Prabowo, company executives refused to speak with the media.

Republicans protect green tax credits through budget bill

According to a Monday letter, a group of Republican legislators urged the House Committee drafting the proposed tax cuts for President Donald Trump in the upcoming Budget Reconciliation Bill to preserve the clean energy tax credit enacted by the Biden Administration to protect private sector investment in their districts. The letter, led by New York Republican congressman Andrew Garbarino called on Ways and Means chairman Jason Smith to avoid making "disruptive" changes…

South Korea and the US form a working group to discuss Alaska LNG project tariffs

Ahn Duk Geun, South Korea’s Minister of Industry, announced on Tuesday that the United States and South Korea have agreed to form a group at a working level to discuss issues such as a pipeline project for gas in Alaska, energy and shipbuilding, tariffs, and non-tariff obstacles. Ahn, a reporter in Sejong, said that the United States had asked South Korea and others if they were interested in taking part in an Alaskan LNG Project. He said that both sides would discuss possible cooperation in the energy sector.

Colombia's first auction of offshore wind energy attracts global interest

The National Hydrocarbons Agency of Colombia (ANH), a South American agency, announced on Thursday that companies from all over the world had proposed developing 69 offshore areas for the country's first offshore energy auction. The auction represents a major step towards President Gustavo Petro’s goal to diversify the energy sector, and reduce dependence on coal and oil. Companies from Belgium, Britain and Spain as well as Colombian firms like Ecopetrol are among the companies that have expressed an interest in participating in this auction.

France's Technip proposes 49% dividend hike after Q4 revenue beat

Technip Energies, a French infrastructure and technology firm, proposed an increase in dividends of 49% on Thursday after it announced that its fourth-quarter revenue was ahead of the market's expectations. Technip's shareholder meeting on May 6 will recommend that a cash dividend be paid of 0.85 euro per share in 2024, up from 0.57 euro per share last year. According to an internal consensus, the group, which specializes in engineering and technologies for the energy sector…

US oil licenses and authorizations for Venezuela

Since the United States first imposed sanctions against Venezuela's energy industry in 2019, it has granted licenses to certain oil companies, allowing them to export Venezuela's oil into specific destinations. Washington imposed sanctions after international observers reported irregularities at elections which have kept Nicolas Maduro on the throne repeatedly. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, announced on Wednesday that he would revoke a license for a U.S. oil producer Chevron Corp. He accused Maduro of not making progress in electoral reforms or migrant return.

World Bank and other lenders criticise Pakistan’s energy negotiations

A group of eight development financing institutions warned that Pakistan's unilateral renegotiation will damage investor confidence in the clean energy sector and harm its long-term prospects. Last year, Pakistan announced that it would renegotiate contracts with independent energy producers in order to reduce "unsustainable" electric tariffs. In a letter, the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development…

BP changes course by increasing fossil fuel investments while cutting back on renewable energy

BP announced on Wednesday that it would increase its annual oil and natural gas investment by $10 billion. This will return the focus to fossil-fuels as part of Murray Auchincloss’ efforts to improve financial performance and boost returns. The oil giant has slashed its planned annual investment into transition businesses by over $5 billion compared to the previous forecast. It now expects to invest between $1.5 and $2 billion annually. "We will increase upstream production and investment to enable us to continue producing high-margin energy for many years.

Overnight, Russian drones attack Ukraine's Kyiv Region and energy sector

Authorities said that Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine, which targeted primarily the Kyiv area and energy facilities to the east. In recent weeks, Russia increased drone attacks with every attack on Ukraine. On Sunday, the number of drones reached a record of 267 for three years of war. The air force reported that Ukraine's air defences destroyed 110 of the 177 drones fired by Russia during the overnight attack. The statement made reference to Ukraine using electronic warfare to redirect Russian Drones.

Shell anticipates a 60% increase in global LNG demand between 2040 and 2040, with Asia leading the growth.

Shell's annual report said that the global demand for liquefied gas will increase by 60% by 2040. This is mainly due to economic growth in Asia and AI, as well as efforts to reduce emissions in heavy industry and transportation. As the world moves to cleaner fuels, demand for natural gas is increasing. Shell's 2025 LNG annual outlook forecasted that the industry will demand between 630 and 718 millions metric tons of LNG per year by 2040. The most recent forecast from the world's biggest LNG trader shows a higher global LNG demand than last year…

BP abandons renewables targets and returns focus to fossil fuels

BP's CEO will abandon a goal to double renewable energy generation by 2030 and return the focus to fossil energies as part of a new strategy announced on Wednesday in response to investor concerns about earnings. BP shares have been underperforming their rivals over the past few years, and it has already abandoned its goal to reduce oil and gas production by 2030. Two sources familiar with the situation said that on Wednesday, at BP's capital markets day, Murray Auchincloss…

After the Russian attacks, Ukraine plans to import 800 million cubic meters of gas by April.

Ukraine will import 800 million cubic meters (mcms) of gas in February and march to compensate for the sometimes 40% decrease in production following Russian missile attacks on the sector. A senior industry source said on Friday. Since its invasion in 2022, Russia has launched many missiles and drones at Ukraine's electric sector. However, it has intensified attacks on gasfields over the past few weeks. The Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz, and the major private energy firm DTEK…

Cenovus' quarterly profit drops due to weak oil prices

Cenovus, a Canadian oil and natural gas company, reported a decline in profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday. Lower commodity prices and lower refining margins were offset by higher production. In mid-morning trade, the company's stock was down by 4.5%. The average Brent crude futures fell 3% in 2024 as the economy of the major consumer, China, remained weak. The OPEC+ producer's group also postponed their planned supply increases to 2026 and extended the deep cuts in output until the end of the year.

Lebanese Government to seek new IMF program, policy statement states

According to a policy document approved by the Cabinet late Monday, the new government of Lebanon will negotiate with IMF for a new program and work to address the financial default and the public debt in the country. A copy of the statement was reviewed by and it stated that the government would strive to achieve an economic revival, which could only be accomplished through restructuring the financial sector. Since 2019, Lebanon has been experiencing a deep economic crisis. Its financial system collapsed due to massive state debts.

Lebanese Government to seek new IMF program, policy statement states

According to a policy document approved by the Cabinet late Monday, the new government in Lebanon will negotiate with IMF for a new program and work on the financial default of the country and its public debt. A copy of the statement was reviewed by and it stated that the government would strive to achieve an economic revival, which could only be accomplished through restructuring the financial sector. Since 2019, Lebanon has been experiencing a deep economic crisis. Its financial system collapsed due to massive state debts.

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