Official: Shell wants to exit Syria's al-Omar Oilfield, but US firms are interested in the sector.
Youssef qeblawi said that the head of Syria Petroleum Company Youssef qeblawi stated on Monday that Shell asked to withdraw its oil from the al-Omar field and transfer their?share to Syria’s state-owned operators, but that U.S. firms were interested in?the?country's energy sector. Al-Omar, Syria's biggest oilfield, was taken over by the government at the weekend following a lightning-fast offensive against Kurdish troops who had occupied the site for almost a decade, and used it as an army base. Qeblawi said, from al-Omar that the field was operated as a joint enterprise between the Syrian Oil?Company, and Shell.
Syria tightens its grip after Kurdish withdrawal, IS jail attack reported
On Monday, Syrian government forces tightened their grip across a large swath of territory in the north and east that had been abruptly abandoned by Kurdish troops on Sunday. This was a dramatic change which solidified President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, once the main U.S. ally in Syria, have agreed to a 'withdrawal from two Arab majority provinces that they controlled for many years. On Monday, there were reports of fighting despite the agreement. The SDF claimed that armed groups attacked a jail in which it held thousands of Islamic State fighters, but did not name them.
After abrupt Kurdish retreat, Syrian troops consolidate their hold
On Monday, Syrian government forces tightened their grip across a large swath of territory in the north and east that was abruptly abandoned by Kurdish troops on Sunday. This dramatic change solidified President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. After fighting for days with the government, the Kurdish led?Syrian Democratic Forces, (SDF), which were once the main U.S. Allies in Syria, decided on Sunday to withdraw. This includes oil fields from two provinces that had a majority of Arabs. The biggest change in Syria's political map has occurred since jihadist fighters under Sharaa ousted President Bashar al Assad in 2024.
Syrian forces push deeper into the US-backed Kurdish controlled northeast
Officials and security sources reported on Sunday that Syrian government troops were pushing toward Raqqa in the northeast, which is the last stronghold of the U.S. supported autonomous Kurdish led administration. The Kurdish-led group suffered a major setback when they took control of Deir al-Zor’s main oil and gas fields east of Euphrates, a vital source of income. Last week, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that it was inacceptable for a armed group (Syrian Democratic Forces), to control one quarter of the nation and its primary oil and commodity resources. Officials said that U.S.
Security sources claim that Syrian forces have seized major oil and gas fields in eastern Syria
Officials and security sources reported on Sunday that Syrian troops fighting U.S. Kurdish-led force seized the largest oil field in Syria, the Omar, as well as the Conoco gas fields in eastern Deir 'Zor province, while allied Arab tribes advanced into the oil-rich region along the border with Iraq. The group suffered a major setback when they took over the oil fields east of the Euphrates, a source of income for the 'Kurdish led forces.' Officials said that the takeover had deprived the state resources which the militia used. The Syrian army has pressed on despite U.S.
Chevron has approved the expansion of Israel’s Leviathan Gas Field
Chevron has made a final decision to invest in expanding production at Israel's Leviathan gas field. The oil major announced on Friday that it has made a final investment decision to expand production?at Israel's Leviathan natural gas field,?the?U.S. Leviathan is one of the largest gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean and the cornerstone of Israel’s energy system. The exports of gas to Egypt help supply LNG plants which ship gas to Europe. Chevron has said that the expansion will increase total gas deliveries to Leviathan to about 21 billion cubic metres per annum. Leviathan's expansion project should be completed by the end of this decade.
Viaro Energy's purchase of Shell and Exxon UK gas assets fails
Shell and Exxon Mobil halted the sale of natural-gas assets in Britain's Southern North Sea to a British oil producer, Viaro Energy. Shell announced this in a Wednesday statement. Shell stated that the conditions required to close the deal were not met because of changes in market and commercial conditions. Shell said that the parties had agreed on a'sale,' which would involve one of the largest,?longest-producing gas portfolios in the UK Continental Shelf. The sale was to take place by July 2024. Viaro CEO Francesco Mazzagatti stated that the two parties had mutually agreed not to proceed despite being fully funded.
Equinor, a Norwegian company, awards ten-billion-dollar five-year contracts to suppliers
Equinor announced on Thursday that it had signed framework agreements with a group of suppliers worth 100 billion Norwegian crowns (9.93 billion dollars) for the maintenance and modification of its offshore?and onshore?installations. Aibel Group, Wood Group and IKM Group as well as Head Energy, Rosenberg Worley and Aker Solutions signed new five-year deals with the option to extend them by another three and two years. These deals replace those signed in 2016 with Aibel and Apply, Wood Group, Aker Solution, and Reinertsen, which expire in the month of March. Aker Solutions bought Reinertsen’s offshore business in 2017.
Equinor, a Norwegian oil company, awards 10 billion dollar contracts to suppliers
Equinor announced on Thursday that it had signed framework agreements worth '100 billion Norwegian crowns (9.93 billion dollars) with a group suppliers for the maintenance and modification of its offshore and "onshore" installations. Aibel, Aker Solutions, Rosenberg Worley and Head Energy signed new five-year agreements with the option to extend them by another three and two years. The new agreements will replace the expiring deals from?2016 signed with Aibel and Apply, Wood Group Aker Solutions, Reinertsen, which expired in March. Aker Solutions purchased Reinertsen’s offshore business in 2017.
What is the current status of international oil firms in Venezuela following Maduro’s capture?
Here are some key facts about the international oil companies operating in Venezuela. The country, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, is now in crisis following the capture of the President Nicolas Maduro. Former President Hugo Chavez expropriated?assets?from foreign oil companies in the 2000s. This strengthened the state-owned PDVSA control over the oilfields of the country. Due to Washington's sanction, foreign companies must now obtain authorizations from the United States to negotiate, plan and operate projects in Venezuela. Oil exports from the OPEC nation are at a standstill.
Explainer: Status of Foreign Oil Companies in Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest
Here are some key facts about the international oil companies operating in Venezuela. The country, which has the largest oil reserves in the world, is now in crisis following the capture of the President Nicolas Maduro.Hugo Chavez, the former president, expropriated foreign oil companies' assets in the 2000s. This strengthened the state-owned PDVSA?control over Venezuela's oilfields. Due to Washington's sanction, foreign companies must now obtain authorizations from the United States to negotiate, plan and operate projects within Venezuela.
The Dutch benchmark is expected to finish the year 40% lower than last year's price.
The Dutch and British gas wholesale prices were not much changed on Wednesday morning as wind power output curbed gas plant demand. However, the benchmark Dutch contract for the front month of 2025 is expected to be around 40% lower than it was at the beginning of the year. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was up 0.32 euros at 28.12 Euros per megawatt hour or $9.66 /mmBtu at 0904 GMT. LSEG data shows that this is a 42% drop from the last transaction on December 31, 2020 of 48.40 eur/MWh. The Dutch benchmark fell despite Europe's?efforts to phase-out remaining Russian gas imports.
The new BP CEO has a long-lasting legacy at Australia's Woodside
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the London-based oil giant. She made an immediate impression when she took over at Australia's 'Woodside Energy', securing a deal which doubled the production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP’s petroleum assets by 2021 in a merger of then-$28 billion?bulked-up the Perth-based firm with an international presence during a time of industry consolidation. It made it a top-10 global energy independent company and a powerhouse of gas. Woodside shares have, however, underperformed their larger rivals over the past five years.
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.
Australian regulator expects a balanced gas market on the east coast in Q2; South will rely on Queensland
Australia's east-coast gas market will be in balance by the second quarter of 2026. Southern states are likely to rely heavily on?gas stored in Queensland and surpluses from Queensland to meet demand, according to the competition regulator. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) latest gas inquiry report, the east coast market will have a balance between supply and demand of 15 petajoules (PJ) and an 8 PJ deficit in the second quarter 2026. The'southern states' are also expected to require an extra 26 PJ over the same period. The gap between the gas supply and demand from southern sources has widened over recent years.
Senegal retracts minister's comments on nationalisation of gas fields as the end of licence nears
The Senegal energy ministry retracted its previous statement on Thursday that it intended to nationalise Yakaar Teranga, a U.S.-owned gas field. Both parties indicated the licence would be handed back to the state in July next year. Birame Souleye Diop, Senegal’s Energy Minister, said Tuesday that the government wants to nationalize Yakaar Teranga. State-run Petrosen owns the remaining 10%. Both companies are looking for a third partner to enter the project and progress a plan of development. However, no breakthrough has yet been made. Kosmos will take over the Yakaar Teranga field from BP in 2023, after BP decides to leave.
Ministry says that the technical problem at Iraq's Khor Mor Gas Field is causing a drop in power supply to Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Ministry of Electricity announced on Thursday that the electricity supply in Kurdistan had dropped by 1,000 megawatts because of a "technical problem" at the Khor Mor gas fields, one of the largest in the Kurdish Region. The ministry of electricity stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the UAE's Dana Gas team, who?jointly operated the field?, are working to restore stability. A?source on the ground also stated that the technical glitch was being repaired?and is expected to be fixed in a few hours. The statement from the?ministry did not specify the technical problem…
Document shows that Nigeria's NNPC is looking to sell stakes in certain oil and gas assets. It invites bids.
According to an invitation received on Monday, NNPC Limited (the state-owned energy firm of Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer) plans to sell stakes?in?some of its?oil and?gas _assets. NNPC has some assets that it owns outright, while others are in partnership with oil companies such as Shell, Chevron Eni, TotalEnergies, and Chevron. The document didn't disclose if it aimed to raise a certain amount or the stakes offered, and NNPC declined to comment on a request. NNPC previously announced plans to'sell at least 25% of its equity in selected oil and gas fields. This could be done through divestments, or by reducing stakes.
The new BP CEO has a long-lasting legacy at Australia's Woodside
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the venerable London based major. She made an immediate impact when she took over at Australia's Woodside Energy and secured a deal which doubled the production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP petroleum assets by 2021 in a merger of then-$28 billion boosted the Perth-based firm with an international presence?during an industry consolidation period, making it one of the top-10 independent global energy producers and a gas giant. O'Neill is a '55-year old 'American' from Boulder…
Meg O'Neill, BP's new CEO, will be the first woman ever to lead an oil company.
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the London-based 'oil major'. She made an immediate impression when she took over at Australia's Woodside Energy and secured a deal which doubled the company's production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP petroleum assets, in a merger of then-$28billions, in '2021' boosted the Perth-based firm with an international presence during a period of industry consolidation. It made it a global top-10 energy independent company and a powerhouse of gas.