Inpasa, a corn ethanol producer, opens a new plant in Brazil
Inpasa, a corn ethanol producer in Brazil's Bahia State, announced?that it had started operating at its new facility. It aims to produce 470 million liters of biofuel per year. In an interview, Gustavo Mariano said that the plant was now operational and the company would have a supply within a few days. In recent years, corn ethanol production has increased dramatically in Brazil. This is a long-controlled industry by sugarcane farmers.
Oil and gas exploration is back. Energy giants are hunting to replenish reserves
Executives at the CERAWeek Conference in Houston, Texas, this week declared that global energy companies have returned to the basics, focusing their efforts on finding?new oil and gas sources. This marks the end of years of underinvestment. The'shale revolution' in the U.S. in recent years promised a flexible, abundant supply. However, growth in renewable energy sources like wind and sun raised doubts over long-term demand for oil.
The Russian government has announced that the ban on gasoline imports will be implemented from April 1.
The Russian government reported that Alexander Novak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, had instructed his energy ministry on Friday to draft a resolution banning gasoline exports as of April 1, 2019. The state-run TASS reported earlier that the ban will remain in effect until July 31. Novak stated that the turmoil on 'the global oil market and its products, which is caused by a crisis in the Middle East has led to significant price changes.
Oil rally fails to boost drilling as services firms are squeezed
Oilfield services firms around the world are bracing themselves for a drop in earnings, as the Iran War?disrupts the energy infrastructure throughout the Middle East. Producers will hold off on new drilling until the higher oil prices have been proven to be durable. Brent's benchmark price has risen 53% in the past two months, just one day before Israel and the U.S. launched their strikes against?Iran.
Russia's Threatens to Divert LNG Cargo From Europe, Options Limited
Russia's threat to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Europe and divert cargoes to Asia would prove difficult to achieve because of its long-term contracts and need for more Arctic-class tankers, industry analysts said.President Vladimir Putin said in a TV interview early in March that Russia could stop gas supplies to Europe with immediate effect and seek…
After oil shock, Argentina allows upto 15% ethanol to be blended into gasoline
The government of Argentina announced on Friday that it would 'allow local firms to voluntarily blend up to 15% ethanol in gasoline. This is a move designed to reduce the impact of higher oil prices on fuel costs. The Energy Secretariat issued a statement saying that the measure was designed to "give industry more flexibility" and to "protect consumers from any potential increase in fuel prices." According to analyst estimates…
Palm futures post fourth consecutive weekly gain
After losses earlier in week, Malaysian palm futures posted a fourth weekly gain. A softer ringgit helped support the market. However, uncertainty about the Middle East war and crude oil outlook capped gains. At close, the benchmark June palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange rose 47 ringgit or 1.03% to 4,630 Ringgit ($1,154.04) per metric ton. The contract?advanced by 0.41% in the past week.
EU Ministers call for a united front on the energy crisis
The European Union Finance Ministers will coordinate their response on Friday to the energy price surge caused by the Iran 'war. They will ensure that the measures help the most vulnerable and?move Europe away from fossil fuels while keeping fiscal costs and demand under control. Since the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began on 28 February, oil and gas prices have risen dramatically.
Taiwan freezes its electricity rates to maintain the industry's competitiveness and stabilize prices
The economy ministry announced 'on Friday that Taiwan won't raise its electricity prices for the time being, despite the fact that energy prices are higher due to the Middle East war. This is to maintain price stability and to keep the industrial competitiveness. The government is trying to limit price increases for consumers across the board to help reduce the impact of rising energy prices internationally, including heavily subsidising energy.
Document shows that the Japanese government has asked wholesalers to switch from Dubai to Brent pricing.
According to a document obtained by on Friday, the Japanese industry ministry has asked domestic wholesalers "to switch to Brent crude oil prices" from the Dubai benchmark when setting gasoline prices. This is an effort to limit price increases. This measure is one of many tools that Japan, which depends on the Middle East to provide?more?than 90% of its oil needs, has used in order to deal with the Iran War disruptions.
As war disrupts LNG exports, Japan is considering increasing coal-fired energy
The Japanese industry ministry plans to propose increasing the use of coal-fired electricity generation in the fiscal year starting in April as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran creates uncertainty about liquefied gas imports. Japan imports around 6% of all its LNG through the Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed because of the war. The Ministry of Economic…
South Korea enforces naphtha export ban amid Middle East supply disruptions
The industry ministry announced that South Korea has begun enforcing an export ban on naphtha as it tries to ensure domestic supplies are not disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. This move will require refiners divert their exports to the local market, and the government can order the production and allocations of naphtha. Naphtha is a key feedstock for petrochemicals used in chip, autos, and plastics.
After a month of high energy prices, Big Oil will reap billions in profits from the war with Iran
While Big Oil executives met this week to discuss the largest-ever disruption to global energy supply due to the conflict in Iran, they didn't address one aspect of the impact: the multi-billion-dollar windfall that they will make because of the soaring price for the energy they are selling. Brent crude, the global benchmark oil, has averaged $97 per barrel so far in March. This is up 33% compared to $69 in February. It's even higher than $65 in January.
Transneft Looks to Redirect Oil From Attacked Baltic Ports
Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft will try to redirect oil exports from the Baltic Sea ports, damaged by drone attacks, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, citing the head of the company.According to Reuters calculations based on market data, at least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity is at a halt following Ukrainian drone attacks, a disputed attack on…
India's auto industry is asked to optimize production due to the Iran war affecting energy supplies
A government memo obtained by shows that India has asked automakers to reduce production to save fuel amid fears of shortages due to disruptions in oil and gas imports from the Gulf because of the war with Iran. According to a?March 25, 2018 advisory, the heavy industries ministry also encouraged companies to switch from oil-based fuels into electricity. They were also…
Dallas Fed survey shows first quarter oil activity is up
Activity in?U.S. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released a report on Wednesday that showed the oil and gas industry in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, the three 'key producing states,' increased during the first quarter of the year 2026, although production was stable. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said that oil executives are waiting to see how prices will…
Chilean mining industry warns that new fuel tax will threaten competitiveness
The top mining body in the world's biggest copper producer has warned that a temporary tax adjustment on Diesel?driven by Chilean government?to mitigate increasing fuel prices?will hit the mining sector?s competitiveness. * The measure by the government reduces recovery of a diesel tax specific to certain companies in order to finance mitigation measures, without increasing fiscal spending.
Residents and wildlife on Mexico's coastline bear the brunt from Pemex oil leak
Guillermo Risso, a community council president in Puerto?Ceiba, a coastal town near the refinery in Mexico's?southern?state of Tabasco, saw luminous flashes before dawn on the morning of March 17. He assumed that the Olmeca Refinery, owned and operated by Mexico's State Oil Company?Pemex was on fire. Risso is the president of the community council in Puerto Ceiba. The town is located near the refinery…
Palm prices surge on higher Chicago soyoil and crude oil prices, according to export data
The 'Malaysian Palm Oil Futures' gained over 1% on Thursday after two sessions in which they had lost ground. This was aided by a stronger Chicago Soyoil and Crude Oil prices, as well as 'robust export data. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives exchange for June delivery was up 74 Ringgit or 1.65% to 4,570 Ringgit ($1,145.08). Anilkumar bagani…
Market operator: Australia gas supply crunch will be delayed until 2030
The feared gas shortage in Australia's east has been delayed by one year, to 2030. This is due to the coal power extension, falling consumption, and rapid battery uptake. "Practical actions make a difference." "More renewables, batteries and sensible gas policies improve energy security and put Australia in a better position," said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen in a press release.