Energy assets affected due to sanctions and standoff between Russia and the West
On Tuesday, the United States and Russia reached separate agreements to stop attacks on energy and maritime targets. Washington also agreed to press for the lifting of some sanctions against Moscow. In the event that a peace agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine, the potential for a relaxation of U.S. sanctions and EU sanctions has led to the question of what will happen to the disputed assets which were affected by international sanctions. This includes both Russian assets located in Europe as well as assets owned by foreign companies in Russia. The main source of revenue for Moscow is oil and gas exports.
Sources: Turkey and Slovakia receive US waiver extensions for gas payments to Russia
Sources told reporters on Thursday that the United States has extended waivers to Turkey and Slovakia for gas payments made to Russia. The extensions will be valid until the end of May. Washington imposed sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November over the Ukraine conflict. Gazprombank is one of Russia's largest banks and receives payments from Gazprom customers in Europe for natural gas. The United States granted a waiver to Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia in December. This removed a major obstacle for them to pay for the Russian gas they receive via the TurkStream pipeline. The energy ministry of Turkey declined to comment.
Ukraine's gas imports are still low despite Russian attacks on gas production
The operator of the state-run transmission system for gas reported that despite the massive Russian missile strike on Ukrainian gas production over night, Ukrainian gas imports remained relatively low on Friday. Naftogaz, the Ukrainian state gas company, said that Russian forces have targeted Ukraine's infrastructure for energy production and damaged its natural gas production facilities. After a series Russian missile attacks on Ukraine's gas installations, the volume of Ukrainian gas imports increased by almost tenfold. Imports have declined so far in march due to a rise in temperatures.
Lavrov and Rubio discuss removal of 'barriers,' set up by the previous U.S. Administration, Russia claims
In a Saturday phone call, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio about the situation in Ukraine as well as the "unilateral obstacles" that were set up by the previous U.S. Administration. Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine will begin in the next few days, after U.S. president Donald Trump shocked European Allies when he called Russian President Vladimir Putin and declared an immediate start to talks. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that during the Saturday call, initiated by the U.S., Lavrov, Rubio and their respective presidents agreed to restore "mutually respect interstate dialogue".
Official: Trump says mineral deal will provide Kyiv with a'security shield after the war'
U.S. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent stated on Wednesday that an minerals deal between Kyiv-Washington would provide Ukraine with a "security shield" after the war. President Volodmyr Zelenskiy also said he hopes to reach a final agreement this week. Bessent is the first cabinet level official from Donald Trump's delegation to visit Kyiv. He spoke after Zelenskiy, who said he would be willing to make a deal that would open Ukraine's minerals to U.S. investors, in a bid to win the U.S. President's support. Trump…
Leader of Moldova’s separatist region visits Moscow to discuss gas crisis
Transdniestria, the news agency of Transdniestria, reported that on Tuesday the leader of Moldova’s Transdniestria region has traveled to Moscow to hold talks in order to resolve a crisis resulting from the suspension of Russian Gas deliveries. Transdniestria is experiencing widespread power outages since January 1, when Russia's Gazprom stopped gas exports. The company cited an unpaid Moldovan bill of $709 millions that Chisinau doesn't recognize as valid. Moscow has blamed the suspension of gas supply on Moldova and Ukraine.
Sandu, the leader of Moldova's separatist area, has said that he travelled to Moscow in response to the gas crisis.
Transdniestria's leader has been to Moscow after the Russian gas supply via Ukraine was suspended, said the President of Moldova on Tuesday. Transdniestria is experiencing widespread power outages since January 1, when Russia's Gazprom stopped gas exports. The company cited an unpaid Moldovan bill of $709 millions that Chisinau doesn't recognize as valid. Moscow has blamed the suspension of gas supply on Moldova and Ukraine. Both countries refused to renew a five-year transit agreement that expired on December 31 because they believed the proceeds would be used to fund Russia's invasion.
Separatists pro-Russians in Moldova extend state of emergencies amid gas cuts
Transdniestria, a separatist region in Moldova backed by Moscow and afflicted with an energy shortage after losing its access to Russian gas that has sustained its economy for decades, extended the state of emergency for another month on Friday. Gazprom, a Russian company, suspended its gas exports to Transdniestria at the beginning of January. The reason given was unpaid Moldovan bills totaling $709 million. Moldova denies that debt, and claims Moscow is provoking a crisis in order to undermine the pro-Western government. Moscow says that Russia used to provide gas to Transdniestria through Ukraine.
Hungary declares that the issue of Russian gas payments has been resolved
Hungary's foreign minister announced on Friday that it had found a way to pay for Russian gas via the Turkstream pipe from Bulgaria, while avoiding the U.S. sanction. He did not provide any details about the agreement. The U.S. On Nov. 21, creating a barrier for European gas buyers. Gazprombank has been used by buyers to pay for their purchases, including a currency conversion scheme to roubles. Turkstream, which runs through Bulgaria from Turkey, is the main pipeline used by Hungary to receive its Russian gas, 7 billion cubic meters so far in this year.
Hungary asks for an exemption from US sanctions on gas payments to Gazprombank
Hungary's Foreign Minister said that the United States should exempt Russia's Gazprombank when it comes payments for natural gases, as these sanctions could adversely affect some U.S. Allies. On Nov. 21, President Joe Biden stepped up measures to punish Moscow before he leaves his office in January. The sanctions prohibit the state-controlled bank from handling new transactions involving energy that are part of the U.S. Financial System. Szijjarto cited Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary for State, as having said that he would "be willing to consult with any allies who had problems due to sanctions".
Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz Ukraine, appointed as deputy PM for new ministry
The Ukrainian parliament approved Oleksiy Cernyshov, the CEO of state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz as deputy premier to head a newly created ministry for national unification as the third anniversary of Ukraine's full-scale war against Russia approaches. Chernyshov is a 47-year-old man who has been leading Naftogaz since 2022. He was also the minister for regional development from 2020 to 2022. No other candidates were considered. Several lawmakers claim that 237 members supported Chernyshov. The company involved in gas transit would be temporarily headed by the interim chairman.
Ukraine's Shmyhal talks energy security with Slovakian Fico
Denys Schmyhal, Ukrainian Prime Minister, began Monday talks with Robert Fico of Slovakia. He said the discussions would be centered on infrastructure co-operation, energy security and Kyiv’s peace plan. Fico, along with the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, has been a strong critic of Western military assistance to Ukraine. The location of the meeting was not immediately known. "We will discuss the roadmap" Included in this is cooperation on infrastructure projects, economy and energy security. Shmyhal, on Telegram Messenger, said that Slovakia has always been willing to assist Ukraine in importing electricity.
Russia aims to counter West’s climate agenda by using gas and nuclear power
Pavel Sorokin, deputy energy minister of Russia, said that the country will set its own climate goals and make proposals to combat global warming in an effort to counter the agenda promoted by Western countries. His remarks could be a preview of potential clashes during the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, due to take place November in Azerbaijan. The Ukraine conflict has strained relations between Russia and the west, and they differ on many issues including climate. Russia, with the largest natural gas reserves in the world, is developing a new strategy for energy through 2050.
China increases coal mining to provide winter power: Kemp
China's coal production has reached record levels, and its imports have also risen. However, the surge in power generated by solar farms and hydro dams has reduced thermal generation. The reliability of electricity is dependent on coal-fired power generation, especially during the winter when solar and hydro output are lower and the system relies more heavily on fossil fuel. Even though wind and solar power have been deployed in record numbers, coal is still the most common source of electricity generation, with winter months seeing a rise to over 75%.
China increases coal mining to provide winter power: Kemp
China's coal production has reached record levels, and its imports have also risen. However, the surge in power generated by solar farms and hydro dams has reduced thermal generation. The reliability of electricity is dependent on coal-fired power generation, especially during the winter when solar and hydro output are lower and the system relies more heavily on fossil fuels. Even though wind and solar power have been deployed in record numbers, coal is still the most common source of electricity generation, with winter months seeing a rise to over 75%.
Namibia plans to complete its sovereign wealth fund by 2025
Namibia's Finance Minister said on Tuesday that the government expects to approve its first offshore oil project in 2025 and complete the creation of its sovereign fund. Namibia, which is yet to produce oil or gas, became a hotspot for exploration after TotalEnergies, Shell and offshore discoveries. Shiimi, Namibia's Minister of Finance, said that Namibia does not expect to see income from the fund until oil production begins, which may take four to six years. He added that TotalEnergies, Qatar Energy and other companies would likely be the first to approve oil exploration off Namibia by 2025.
Oil Hits Highest Since September
Oil rose towards $68 a barrel to its highest in over three months on Thursday, buoyed by a report showing lower U.S. crude inventories, hopes of an end to the China-U.S. trade dispute and OPEC-led efforts to constrain supply.The American Petroleum Institute, an oil industry group, said late on Tuesday that U.S. crude stocks fell by 7.9 million barrels last week, much more than the decline forecast by analysts.Brent crude, the global benchmark, reached $67.83 a barrel, the highest since Sept. 17, and by 1438 GMT was up 39 cents at $67.59. U.S.
Norway's Snow Crab Ruling Boosts Oil Claim
A court delivered a painful nip to European Union fishermen on Thursday by tightening Norway's grip on snow crab catches in the Arctic, a ruling that may also let Oslo claw more control of oil and gas from other nations.Fishermen from the European Union must ask permission from Oslo to catch snow crab — whose meat is a delicacy for gourmets from Canada to Japan — in Arctic waters north of Norway, the Norwegian Supreme Court said in a unanimous ruling.The court dismissed an appeal by a Latvian fishing firm and its…
Oil Rises to $51 After Steep Slide
Oil rose to $51 a barrel on Wednesday on perceptions that a price slide to 2017 lows prompted by economic worries had been overdone amid an OPEC-led effort to tighten supply.Crude has been caught up in wider financial market weakness as the U.S. government shutdown, higher U.S. interest rates and the U.S.-China trade dispute unnerved investors and exacerbated worries over global growth.Brent crude, the global benchmark, was up 70 cents at $51.17 at 1120 GMT. It earlier fell to $49.93, the lowest since July 2017, and posted a 6.2 percent slide in the previous session.U.S.
Iran Will Not Comply with 'Illegal' US Sanctions -Oil Minister
Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Thursday U.S. sanctions against his country were "fully illegal" and Tehran would not comply with them.Zanganeh, speaking at a joint news conference in Baghdad with Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadhban, said Iran would not discuss the volume or destination of its oil exports while it remained under U.S. sanctions.Ghadhban said Iraq had not yet reached an agreement with Iran to develop joint oilfields. He also said the decline in global oil prices had stopped and that he expected them to improve gradually.(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; writing by Raya Jalabi Editing by Gareth Jones)
