US Prepares Renewal of Chevron's Venezuela License Without Broader Terms
The U.S. Treasury Department is getting ready to renew in the coming days Chevron Corp's license to operate in Venezuela, but likely without the greatly expanded terms the U.S. oil major sought, four people close to the talks said.The last U.S. energy producer in Venezuela asked President Joe Biden's government…
U.S. Senate Panel Backs Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Sanctions Bill
A U.S. Senate committee passed a bill on Wednesday to slap sanctions on companies and individuals involved in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany that the Trump administration says would strengthen Moscow's economic grip on Europe.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act by 20 to 2.
Trump's State Department Energy nominee Approved by Senate Panel
President Donald Trump's nominee for the top U.S. State Department job dealing with matters related to energy and the global oil industry was approved by a Senate committee on Wednesday, as the United States gears up to re-impose sanctions on Iran's oil exports. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Francis Fannon…
Trump Troubled About Oil Flow into North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was "very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea" and that such moves would prevent "a friendly solution" to the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear program. "Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea.
Trump to Promote US Natgas Exports in Russia's Backyard
President Donald Trump will use fast-growing supplies of U.S. natural gas as a political tool when he meets in Warsaw on Thursday with leaders of a dozen countries that are captive to Russia for their energy needs. In recent years, Moscow has cut off gas shipments during pricing disputes with neighboring countries in winter months.
Senate Kills Anti-corruption Rule for Energy Companies
The Republican-controlled Senate voted on Friday to repeal a controversial U.S. securities disclosure rule adopted by the Obama administration to curb corruption at big oil, gas and mining companies. In a 52-47 vote, the Senate approved a resolution already passed by the House of Representatives that wipes from…
Top US Senator Expects Trump Administration to Enforce Iran Deal
The head of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Friday that Washington abruptly rejecting the Iran nuclear deal could create "a crisis" and said he did not expect that approach under President-elect Donald Trump's administration. "To tear it up on the front end, in my opinion, is not going to happen," U.S.
Tillerson's Nomination has U.S. Lawmakers Uneasy
President-elect Donald Trump announced Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson as his choice for U.S. secretary of state on Tuesday, despite concerns from lawmakers in both political parties over the oilman's ties to Russia. Tillerson's experience in diplomacy stems from making deals with foreign countries for Exxon…
Kerry: Iran Getting Less Than $50 billion Cash After Nuclear Deal
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that the amount of cash Iran will receive due to the implementation of the nuclear agreement is below the $50 billion level. "It's below the $50 billion (level)," he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, when he was asked about varying reports about how much money Iran would receive.
IAEA Head Considering U.S. Invitation to Speak About Iran
The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog is "positively considering" an invitation from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a diplomatic source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. Some U.S. politicians have asked for more information to be made public relating to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) role in monitoring and verifying Iran's nuclear programme.
Republican Presidential Candidates Denounce Iran Deal
U.S. Republican presidential candidates on Tuesday roundly condemned President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio suggesting he would re-introduce sanctions if elected to the White House next year. The agreement reached between Iran and six major world powers will now be debated in the U.S.
Iran Deal Faces Fight in U.S. Congress but Will Likely Survive
The nuclear deal between world powers and Iran starts a new phase of intense negotiation - this time between the Obama administration and the U.S. Congress, where some Republicans have long been working to sink an agreement. Any effort in Congress to overturn the deal will face an uphill fight. Republicans have majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate…
U.S. Lawmakers Warn Against "Weak" Iran Deal
As talks on an Iran nuclear deal enter the final stretch, U.S. lawmakers are sharpening warnings against a "weak" agreement and laying down red lines that, if crossed, could prompt Congress to trip up a carefully crafted international pact. Several influential lawmakers said they do not want to see any sanctions lifted before Tehran begins complying with a deal…
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Leaders Reach Deal on Iran Bill
Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee reached a compromise agreement that would shorten Congress' review of any Iran nuclear deal to 52 days under an Iran nuclear bill, the panel's chairman, Republican Senator Bob Corker, said on Tuesday. A Senate aide said the compromise…
US Official: Low Oil Prices Add to Iran Woes
David Cohen, the U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said on Wednesday that low oil prices mean Iran will lose billions of dollars more in oil revenue during the seven-month extension of its temporary nuclear agreement. "If oil prices remain at current levels, Iran will lose an additional…
US Congress readies new sanctions on Russia
U.S. lawmakers were expected on Friday to approve new sanctions on Russian weapons companies and investors in the country's high-tech oil projects, putting more U.S. pressure on President Vladimir Putin for interference in eastern Ukraine. Late on Thursday, the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act.
U.S. Lawmakers Say Latest Russia Sanctions Too Mild, To Seek More
Senior U.S. Republican lawmakers said on Monday the latest sanctions imposed on Russian individuals and companies are too mild to deter Moscow from further action in Ukraine and promised to offer legislation as soon as this week to pressure the Obama administration to take stronger action. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker…
New U.S. Sanctions On Putin Allies Cause Few Ripples
The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Russian firms and government officials on Monday, a move that financial markets largely shrugged off and U.S. Republican lawmakers dismissed as too little to deterMoscow from further action in Ukraine. The reaction underscored the dilemma facing President Barack Obama…
