Oil Storage at Sea Approaching Record Levels
Oil traders are storing as much as 80 million barrels of oil on tankers at sea, with further ships being sought as land storage sites fill up fast due to a global glut of stocks, shipping industry sources say.Traders rushed for storage after global oil demand collapsed by a third due to the coronavirus outbreak, and as top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia have refused to curb output so far…
Frontline Profitable in Q1 Despite Low Freight Rates -CEO
Oil tanker firm Frontline's earnings are in the black so far in the first quarter despite strong headwinds from low freight rates, it's top executive said on Thursday."We are at current rates still running at a profit," Chief Executive Robert Hvide Macleod told a news conference. (Reporting by Victoria Klesty, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Frontline Sees Opportunity in Tanker Market
So far in 2019, 41 VLCCs have been added to the global fleet compared to three vessel demolitions, said the world's largest oil tanker shipping company Frontline Ltd.An additional 33 VLCCs are scheduled to be delivered in 2019 with 43 more to follow in 2020 before the order-book declines sharply.It is important to note that both the VLCC and Suezmax tanker order book as a percentage…
Frontline buys 10 Tankers from Trafigura
Frontline will buy 10 Suezmax oil tankers from Trafigura in a cash and share deal worth up to $675 million, and may buy a further four vessels later, the two companies announced on Friday.The deal will allow Frontline, which is controlled by Norwegian-born billionaire John Fredriksen, to boost its dividend in the time to come, the Oslo-listed tanker operator said."The structure of the transaction creates an immediate impact to our earnings at a time when we expect freigh
Two Tankers Attacked in Gulf of Oman
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, leaving one ablaze and both adrift, shipping firms said, driving oil prices as much as 4% higher over worries about Middle East supplies.The Front Altair, carrying petrochemical feedstock, was on fire in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran after an explosion that a source blamed on a magnetic mine. The Norwegian…
Sphera Acquires Petrotechnics
Sphera, a provider of integrated risk management software and information services with a focus on operational risk, environmental health and safety and product stewardship, announced it has acquired Petrotechnics, a provider of operational risk software for hazardous industries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Aberdeen-based Petrotechnics was established in 1989, and has helped keep people safe in hazardous industries such as oil and gas, and others.
Poland has Natgas Exports 'understanding' with U.S.
Poland's desire to cut natural gas imports from Russia has led to an "understanding" with the United States to work toward a deal to export liquefied natural gas to its new Baltic Sea terminal, the country's deputy prime minister said on Wednesday. Mateusz Morawiecki, who is also the minister of economic development and finance, said in an interview that discussions with new U.S. "The word agreement is probably premature. Understanding?
Aiteo Growing O&G Production in Nigeria
Integrated energy group Aiteo has announced a peak production of 90kpod a year after its acquisition of sub-Sharan Africa’s reputedly largest onshore oil bloc OML 29. Aiteo acquired OML 29 in September, 2015 when oil major Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) fully exited the facility. At the time of the divestment, average production was 23Kbpod. But Aiteo, one of the frontline…
Rig firm Seadrill risks Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Seadrill faces debt-to-equity conversion; Chapter 11 beckons; billionaire John Fredriksen risks dilution of stake. Rig firm Seadrill, battling with $14 billion in debt and liabilities, said on Tuesday it may have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection if it fails to reach a restructuring agreement with its lenders, sending its shares down 14 percent. Once the crown jewel in the empire of shipping tycoon John Fredriksen…
Frontline Sees Limited Effect on Demand From 'Balanced' OPEC Cut
* Crude oil tanker firm Frontline says a potential "balanced cut and cap from OPEC", as suggested by some analysts, is not expected to have a large impact on the tanker market * Says significant volume cuts by OPEC, although unlikely, would be negative for tanker freight demand * Frontline says the winter season historically supports a strong tanker market, and that improvements in market likely into Q1 2017 * OPEC members are split over who should cut and by ho
Front Vanguard Contract Terminated
Frontline Ltd. ("Frontline" or the "Company") has agreed with Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance") to terminate the long term charter for the 1998 built VLCC Front Vanguard. Ship Finance has simultaneously sold the vessel to an unrelated third party. We expect the vessel to cease operating as a conventional tanker and the charter with Ship Finance is expected to terminate in the second quarter of 2016.
Managers Bunking at U.S.Refineries, Strike Continues
U.S. oil refinery managers are going to the mats, literally, during the biggest fight with union workers in 35 years, bedding down for a third strike week that experts and some employees say raises concerns over safety and operations. At the 135,000 barrel-per-day refinery just outside of Toledo, Ohio, run by BP Plc and Husky Energy Inc , most of the nearly 300-person staff have been calling the refinery home since Feb.
General Maritime to buy Navig8 Crude Tanker
General Maritime Corp, which operates crude oil tankers, will acquire Navig8 Crude Tankers Inc in a stock-for-stock deal, the two companies said in a statement. A newly formed unit of General Maritime will acquire all of Navig8 Crude's common shares to form Gener8 Maritime Inc. Tanker companies, struggling to cope with poor charter rates, are teaming up to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, besides adding to their fleets.
Billionaire Fredriksen to Acquire Distressed Rig Assets
Norwegian-born billionaire John Fredriksen has set up a company to snap up oil rigs from firms struggling with low crude prices, adopting a similar approach to the one he used in 2012 when the tanker market collapsed. In an interview with business daily Dagens Naeringsliv, the man with an estimated fortune of 100 billion crowns ($11 billion), said he was putting some of his money into the venture called Sandbox, but might seek outside investors in due course.
Insurance Snags May Impede Iran Oil Exports
Efforts by Iran to start exporting oil to Europe are being held up as foreign tanker owners are still struggling to secure insurance for cargoes, leading shipping players said on Tuesday. A nuclear deal between world powers and Iran earlier this month led to the removal of curbs on Tehran's banking, insurance and shipping sectors. Since then, Iran has ordered a 500,000 barrel per day (bpd) increase in oil output, of which 200,000 bpd will go to Europe.
Oil Storage at Sea Stalls as Profit Play Fades
Traders are cutting plans to use tankers to store oil at sea as the price incentive recedes, the global head of oil at mining and commodities group Glencore's said on Tuesday. In January, the price of spot oil was around 50 percent lower than a peak hit in June, enabling traders to potentially make money by storing crude for delivery months down the line, when prices were expected to recover.
Berkshire's Railroad Revamps Service with Billions, Fewer Cars
Stung by customer backlash over last winter's patchy service, Berkshire Hathaway's BNSF Railways invested billions in shoring up its operations. But in addition to hiring more than 7,000 new workers and spending $5.5 billion on improvements to its 32,500-mile (52,300 kilometer) network, the railway also has done something unexpected: it pulled thousands of rail cars off its lines.
Regulators Slap Plains Midstream Canada with Pipeline Audit
Plains Midstream Canada must hire a third party to audit its pipelines in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, regulators said on Thursday, an order that came after the company failed to comply with previous safety directives. Plains Midstream, a subsidiary of Plain All American Pipeline, has been under scrutiny by Canada's National Energy Board since a corrective action plan in 2010 highlighted safety and environmental issues.
Frontline Reports Strongest 3Q
* Frontline achieved net income attributable to the Company of $17.4 million, or $0.09 per share, for the third quarter of 2015 and net income attributable to the Company of $65.9 million, or $0.42 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. * The long-term charters for the 1995-built Suezmax tankers, Front Glory and Front Splendour, were terminated in September and October, respectively.
Fredriksen's Firms See Diverging Fortunes
Rig firm Seadrill sees tough market continuing in 2016. Firms in Norwegian-born billionaire John Fredriksen's empire saw contrasting fortunes on Tuesday, as rig firm Seadrill booked $1.8 billion in writedowns while tanker firm Frontline turned around its fortunes after years of turmoil. The shipping tycoon, nicknamed "Big Wolf" or "Big John" in the shipping industry, controls companies spanning offshore drilling, shipping of oil and dry bulk and salmon farming.
