Brazil's Soy Exports will Hit Record High for January, Grain Exporting Group Says
The grains exporting group Anec predicted on Tuesday that Brazilian soybean exports would reach nearly four million tonnes in January, a new record. Anec reported that traders in Brazil will export an estimated 3,73 million tons of oilseeds this month. This is about 1.3 millions tons more than was estimated last week. Farmers have only just started harvesting the 2026 crop. The company cited revised shipping schedules as the reason for its decision to increase the projections for January. It added that adjustments in ship 'line-up data are normal during any given month. The majority of Brazil's soybeans are shipped to China. However, this year the U.S.
Malaysia increases gas-fired electricity use in December, as coal dependence falls
Grid operator data shows that Malaysia increased its natural gas-fired electricity generation in December and reduced its reliance on coal. The rising production helped to boost local supply, and also expanded liquefied gas exports. Real-time data provided by Malaysia's Grid Systems Operator (GSO), showed that gas-fired electricity generation was responsible for the majority of the nearly 5% increase in electricity delivered to Peninsular Malaysia during December. This offset a decline in coal-fired production of 4.3%. The GSO does not release monthly output figures.
Indonesia considers increasing the palm oil export tax to support biodiesel mandate
Eniya?Listiani Dewi, an official in the energy ministry, told reporters on Thursday that Indonesia would likely increase its palm?oil export levy to help support biodiesel production. She cited tightening finances. Indonesia, as the largest palm oil exporter, has introduced a 40% biodiesel blend that is mandatory. This blend is known as B40 and it's the highest blending ratio in the world. It aims to increase the blend by 50% later this year. The biodiesel program in Indonesia is subsidized by the proceeds of palm oil export levies. These are set at 10% and range between 4.75% to 9.5%.
ROI-Trump's Venezuela oil grab revives 'petrodollar' debate: McGeever
The arrest and capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro by the United States on Saturday was likely motivated by many factors, but one that has been little discussed is the White House's concern about the declining global prominence of "petrodollar". Venezuela's oil production is modest, at just 1 million barrels a day. However, its reported reserves are huge - around 300 billion barrels or 17% of global stocks. Donald Trump has made it clear the U.S. wants to tap this huge potential. He plans to get U.S. energy companies?revitalize? the Latin American country's faltering oil industry. Keep all future production in the U.S.
US Natural Gas Futures Rise as Forecasts Predict Colder Weather
U.S. natural gas futures rose on Friday in thin-volume trading and were on track for a weekly gain, ending a two-week losing streak, as forecasts pointed to colder weather and increased demand in the weeks ahead.Front-month gas futures for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange were up 4.4 cents, or 1% at $4.29 per million British thermal units. The contract was up 8.5% so far this week.Prices reached their highest level since December 11, at $4.593 in the previous session, before settling 3.8% lower for the day."There's going to be thinner volume on the holiday week…
Bousso: The geopolitical premium of oil in the ROI vanished by 2025 and is unlikely to return.
In 2025, the global oil markets were faced with multiple black swans events - such as the Israel-Iran War and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refiners. Yet they were barely affected. In an era when energy is abundant, this calm could be the new norm. The year 2025, by any measure, was chaotic in geopolitics, with President Donald Trump's return to his White House and his flurry of trade, diplomatic and policy initiatives dominating the year. On June 12, Israel attacked military, government, and nuclear sites in Iran. This was a pivotal moment for the?energy?markets. On June 22, the U.S.
Bousso: The geopolitical premium of oil in the ROI vanished by 2025 and is unlikely to return.
In 2025, the global oil markets were faced with multiple black swans events - such as the Israel-Iran War and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries - but they were not fazed. In an age of abundant energy, this calm could be the new norm. The year 2025 will be remembered as a geopolitical chaos, due to President Donald Trump's return in January, and his frenzy of trade, policy and diplomatic initiatives. On June 12, Israel bombed Iranian military, government, and nuclear sites. This was a pivotal moment in the energy market. On June 22, the U.S. also joined in with "Operation Midnight Hammer," which targeted Iran's heavily fortified nuclear installations.
Russell: Despite Trump's trade moves, the US imports to Asia will drop by 2025.
Asia's imports from the United States of crude oil, coal, and liquefied gas are expected to decrease this year in spite of President Donald Trump’s efforts?to increase shipments through his trade and tariff policy. China is the main driver of the decline in US imports. China, as the world's largest buyer of commodities, has slowed down its purchases since Trump increased tariffs on U.S. imported Chinese goods, with an average rate of around 47.5%. According to commodity analysts Kpler, Asia's crude oil imports are expected to drop to 1.43 million barrels a day (bpd), down from 1.56million bpd and the record 1,65million bpd of 2023. South Korea is the largest importer.
EUROPE GAS-European Gas Prices Rise on Colder Weather Demand
Dutch and British gas rates posted modest gains on Thursday, but it is expected that they will remain flat as the 'increased demand due to colder weather' can be easily met through pipelines and liquefied natural gas deliveries. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was 27.57 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) or $9.48/mmBtu at 0907 GMT. This is an increase of 0.19 euros. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was up by 0.41 euros to 27.36 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead price of gas was 0.90 pence higher at 71.00 pence/therm. Meanwhile, the front-month contract for gas was 0.62 pence higher at 72.90 pence/therm.
Russell: Despite Trump's trade moves, the US imports to Asia will drop by 2025.
The U.S. trade policies of President Donald Trump, which include tariffs and increased shipments of crude oil and coal to Asia are expected to lead to a decline in imports this year. The drop in US imports is mostly due to?China. As the largest buyer of commodities worldwide, China has slowed down its purchases since Trump increased tariffs on U.S. imported?Chinese?goods. According to commodity analysts Kpler, Asia's crude oil imports are expected to drop to 1.43 million barrels a day (bpd), down from 1.56million bpd and the record 1,65million bpd of 2023. South Korea is the largest importer. It was one of the nations that agreed to buy more U.S.
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. Calculations based on official statistics…
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, the month when oil prices plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia reported its lowest monthly oil revenues. The Kremlin's main source of income is oil and gas revenues, which account for a quarter the total federal budget.
Malaysian palm oil production tops 20 million tons in first time.
The industry regulator said that Malaysian palm oil production will surpass 20 million metric tons for the first year, thanks to more efficient harvesting and improved labour availability, as well as output from "maturing plantations". The record production of palm oil in Malaysia, the second largest exporter in the world, is expected to increase inventories. This could put pressure on Malaysian benchmark futures which are already trading at a low level for five months. Malaysia will produce between 20 and 20.5 millions?tons of palm oil this year, provided the weather is good and harvesting continues to be efficient, Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said.
Australia is preparing to review its gas market, which could affect LNG exports
Australia will soon issue a review of the gas market that could limit exports from its east coast. Three operators, led by Shell and Santos, send cargoes to Asia. They said that the review, which they expect Canberra to release this week, may 'include a plan for LNG exporters to prioritize local supply in the populous east, the main source of domestic demand. Tony Wood, energy analyst at Melbourne's Grattan Institute, said that the government is trying to solve a difficult problem. They want the domestic and international markets to be able access gas at a reasonable price.
Romanian Brazi Power Plant resumes operation after being shut down by the state
Romanian energy company OMV Petrom is majority owned by Austrian OMV. Its 860 MW, gas-fired Brazi Power Plant has resumed operation after being forced to close due to water restrictions in the Paltinu Dam, which it relies on. According to the company, Brazi's power plant will soon be operating at full capacity. The plant supplies about 10% of the electricity in the country. The Energy Ministry said that 300 MW had been reconnected with the national grid. The plant was operating at a reduced capacity since November 30, and shut down completely on Tuesday. This forced the Energy Ministry to look for alternative sources of power, mostly hydroelectric and lignite fueled plants.
Minister says 60% of Morocco's water will be supplied by desalination
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is accelerating investment in renewable energy-powered desalination plants, and plans to increase its supply of drinking water by 60% by 2030. This will be up from 25%. It is vital to maintain a steady supply of water and the status of Morocco as a major producer and exporter fresh produce in an era of climate change. Droughts have dried up many of its water reservoirs, and underground resources are depleted. Nizar Baraka, speaking on the sidelines at the World Water Congress held in Marrakech on Thursday, said that the North African country intends to produce 1.7 million cubic metres of desalinated drinking water per year by 2030.
Bousso: New oil quotas system to spur spending with ROI-OPEC+
The changes OPEC+ makes to its oil production quotas will likely trigger a wave upstream investment among members, especially in low-cost Gulf producers. This will reduce concerns about long-term shortages of supply. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and other major oil producing nations including Russia and Kazakhstan approved on Sunday a mechanism for assessing members' maximum output capacity. This will be used from 2027 to establish baselines. It may appear to be a very technical issue. It could be a welcome departure…
Bousso: New oil quotas system to spur spending with ROI-OPEC+
The changes OPEC+ makes to its oil production quotas will likely trigger a wave upstream investment among its members, especially in low-cost Gulf producers. This will reduce concerns about long-term shortages of supply. OPEC+ (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and other major oil producing nations including Russia and Kazakhstan approved a new method to determine the maximum production capacity of members. This will be used from 2027 to establish baselines for output. It may appear to be a very technical issue. It could be a…
US LNG Exports Hit Record High in November on Cooler Weather
U.S. liquefied natural gas exports hit an all-time monthly high in November for the second straight month, driven by cooler weather and robust output from the country's two largest producers, preliminary data from financial firm LSEG showed on Monday.The U.S., the world's top LNG exporter, shipped 10.9 million metric tonnes last month, up from 10.1 mmt in October despite having one fewer day in the month, according to LSEG data.Cheniere Energy, the largest U.S. LNG exporter, boosted shipments to 4.6 mmt from its two Texas plants, compared with 4.1 mmt in October.
UK withdraws financial support for TotalEnergies Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas Project
On Monday, the British government announced that it had decided to stop UK Export Finance from supporting TotalEnergies' Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas Project. In 2020, the UKEF had committed to providing financial support for the $20 billion project. The project was supposed to turn Africa into a major LNG exporter for Europe and Asia. However, it was stopped in 2021 because of an islamist insurgency. In a press release, British business minister Peter Kyle stated that "my officials have evaluated risks surrounding the project and it is His Majesty’s Government's view that these risks have grown since 2020".