ENTEK wins $1.3 billion US Loan for EV Battery Plant
The U.S. Department of Energy's loans office said on Friday it has finalized a loan of $1.3 billion to ENTEK Lithium Separators to finance a plant in Indiana for making lithium-ion battery separators used mostly in electric vehicles.WHY IT'S IMPORTANTThe Loan Programs Office is racing to finalize billions of dollars in loans to companies developing cutting-edge technologies…
ArcelorMittal delays planned green investments for EU
ArcelorMittal is the second largest steelmaker in the world. It announced on Friday that it was delaying green investments due to uncertainty over European Union regulations. ArcelorMittal received 850 million Euros ($885 million) from the French Government in January to support its 1.7 billion Euro decarbonisation programme in France through 2030 at its Dunkirk site and Fos-sur-Mer site.
Oil Edges to 2-Week High on Ukraine News
Oil prices edged up about 1% to a two-week high on Friday as the intensifying war in Ukraine this week boosted the market's geopolitical risk premium.Brent futures rose 66 cents, or 0.9%, to $74.89 a barrel by 11:39 a.m. EST (1639 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose 77 cents, or 1.1%, to $70.87.That put both crude benchmarks up over 5% for the week and on track for their highest closes since Nov.
Trump Energy Pick writes ESG report praising oil and gas, while downplaying climate worries
According to a report that he wrote as the CEO of oilfield service company Liberty Energy, Donald Trump's nominee to head the Energy Department believes fossil fuels will end world poverty. He says this is a bigger problem than the "distant threat" of climate change. Chris Wright stated in a February report entitled "Bettering Human Lives" that the energy transformation has not yet begun…
Palm oil drops 8% in a week, the worst drop for 19 months.
Malaysian palm futures fell on Friday, their biggest weekly drop in over a year. Weak soybean oil prices and concerns about demand weighed them down. At the close, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for February delivery fell 132 ringgit or 2.77% to 4,640 Ringgit ($1,039.19). This is the second weekly decline in a row and the biggest weekly drop since April 2023.
Japan will take all necessary steps to ensure Sakhalin-2 LNG supplies from Russia.
Japan's Industry Minister Yojimuto announced on Friday that it will take every measure to ensure a steady supply of liquefied gas from the Sakhalin-2 Russian project in response to new U.S. Sanctions. Treasury Department announced that the United States had imposed new sanctions against Russia's Gazprombank, on Thursday. President Joe Biden is intensifying his efforts to punish Moscow for its invasion in Ukraine…
Palm to drop for second week on weak soya, concerns about demand
Malaysian palm futures fell on Friday, and are headed for another week of losses. Weak soybean prices and looming concerns about demand have weighed them down. At midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for February delivery fell 81 ringgit or 1.7% to 4,691 Ringgit ($1,050.62) per metric ton. David Ng is a proprietary trader with Kuala Lumpur's trading firm Iceberg X Sdn. Bhd.
Exxon withdraws from talks with Guyana about shallow water oil blocks, says the government
Exxon Mobil, a U.S. oil company and its partners pulled out of negotiations on Thursday with Guyana’s government over terms for exploring and developing an oil block in shallow water. Exxon, Hess of the United States and CNOOC from China won the offshore block S8 during a bid round that was launched by President Irfaan Ali in late 2022 to diversify Guyana’s energy industry.
Danos Leaders Recognized in “40 Under 40” Lists
Danos announced that two of its leaders, Melanie Hill and Scott Theriot, have been named to prestigious “40 Under 40” lists for 2024.Melanie Hill, Danos’ general manager of shale production, was honored in Hart Energy’s Oil and Gas Investor Forty Under 40. This national recognition highlights leaders across the energy sector for their proven leadership and positive impact in their respective organizations.
Poland to Boost Offshore Wind, Energy Security
Poland is planning to assign new areas for offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea and is drafting additional measures to boost the security of its critical energy infrastructure, government officials said on Wednesday."Maritime offices will submit analyses any moment, which will give grounds to make a decision on designating new areas for offshore wind farms," Deputy…
SQM's net profits drop due to lower lithium prices
SQM, world's second largest lithium producer, reported on Wednesday a 73% decline in its third-quarter profit, as increased sales volumes did not offset a sharp drop in prices due to an oversupply. The lithium mining industry has been affected by the sustained fall in prices of lithium in recent months, due to a weaker than expected demand for electric cars. The lithium is an important component in batteries for electric vehicles.
Rystad reports that oil majors have over 40 biofuel projects planned by 2030.
Rystad, a consultancy, said that major oil and gas companies are investing more in biofuels, betting on sustainable aircraft fuel (SAF). By 2030, 43 projects should be completed, the report stated. Energy research firm says that industry giants like ExxonMobil and Shell could increase production by 286,000 barrels a day. SAF is produced by using wastes and residues like organic crops or used cooking oils. It emits the exact same amount of CO2 as kerosene.
China has finalised stricter guidelines on solar manufacturing investment
According to an announcement on the ministry's website, China's Industry Ministry finalised on Wednesday investment guidelines for solar photovoltaic manufacturing projects to curb overcapacity. Companies are directed to maintain a capital ratio of at least 30% for solar PV project. This standard was previously only applicable to polysilicon projects, while the minimum capital ratio for all other PV projects remained at 20%.
Albanese: Australia and India will boost their cooperation in renewables and defence
Australia and India will work together to increase investment in renewable energies, such as solar manufacturing, batteries, and mineral processing. This was the announcement made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a G20 meeting on the sidelines. Albanese, the Australian Minister for Defence and Maritime Security, said that Australia and India would also like to increase their defence and maritime cooperation.
Sources say that Whiting refinery, a BP facility in Indiana, is delaying its return to service.
Industry sources say that the return to service for BP Whiting Indiana refinery is delayed. BP began the planned turnaround activity for its refinery that produces 435,000 barrels per day in late September. In early November, the refinery restarted units that were involved in the turnaround. Sources claim that at least two units are experiencing startup delays. Sources said that the refinery's 250…
BP's Whiting IA Refinery Restart Delayed
The return to service of BP's BP.L Whiting, Indiana refinery has been delayed, industry sources said.BP started the planned turnaround work at its 435,000 barrel-per-day refinery in late September. The refinery began restarting units involved in the turnaround in early November. A source said at least two of the units have experienced startup delays. The units are expected to be back online this week, the source added.
Change of Ørsted Region Americas CEO
Ørsted announced today that David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas, has decided to leave the company to join GE Vernova as Chief Commercial Officer, Wind. He will step down from his position effective November 30.The search for a successor Region Americas CEO is well underway. In the interim period, Ørsted's Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO, Rasmus Errboe, will guide and support the experienced senior leadership team in the U.S.
Euro Oil Giants Rethink Renewable Balance
Almost five years ago, BP embarked on an ambitious attempt to transform itself from an oil company into a business focused on low-carbon power. The British company is now trying to return to its roots as a big oil and gas player with a growth story to match rivals, revive its share price and allay investor concerns over future profits.Rivals Shell and Norway's state…
Petrobras and Yara Sign Agreement for Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sales in Brazil
Petrobras, Brazil's state oil company, has signed agreements with ANSA and fertilizer firm Yara. Yara could sell AUS 32 diesel-exhaust fluid in Brazil. Brazil imports AUS32, or 32% solution of aqueous Urea, to reduce the emissions from diesel cars. ANSA will produce AUS 32 in its plant in Parana in the south of Brazil, which should be operational again in May. This is also another step in Petrobras's goal to enter the fertilizer industry.
Sources say that Chinese exporters will increase prices and renegotiate after the tax rebates are cut.
Analysts and traders said that Chinese exporters will increase prices on a variety of products, from used cooking oil to aluminium, and renegotiate their contracts to pass the cost of Beijing’s tax incentives. On Friday, the world's second-largest economy announced that it would reduce its export tax rebate rates for certain refined oil products, solar panels, batteries, and non-metallic minerals from 13% down to 9%.
