Shell completes survey of Venezuelan gas field as winding down of license approaches
Shell, the oil and gas company, plans to finish a marine survey of the offshore Dragon gas field in Venezuela before the May deadline set by the United States to close all energy licenses in the country. According to LSEG vessel tracking data, the Colombian-flagged Dona Jose II survey vessel arrived in Venezuela sanctioned by the U.S. this month to collect data for Shell and Trinidad’s National Gas Company. Two sources said that the exploration work will be completed within the next few weeks and allow the company determine drilling locations as well as pipeline design…
The US has ordered the construction of Equinor New York Offshore Wind Project to be halted
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on Wednesday that he had instructed his agency to stop construction of Equinor's Empire Wind off-shore wind project near the coast of New York. Burgum wrote in a blog post on X that information indicated the Biden administration rushed to approve the project without adequate environmental analysis. Burgum stated that he had spoken with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The National Marine Fisheries Service is housed in Commerce, and it's responsible for approving offshore wind installations.
US proposed looser interpretation of the law protecting threatened species
The Trump administration proposed on Wednesday a major shift in how threatened species are taken into account when agency actions are made. This was done by removing the regulatory language which aims to prevent habitat degradation. This move aligned itself with the pledge of President Donald Trump to reduce what he calls burdensome federal regulations on businesses. When deciding whether or not to issue permits for oil and natural gas, mining, transmission of electric power and other operations, agencies must consider the Endangered Species act.
DUH: Germany's Mukran Liquefied Natural Gas terminal is at 5% utilisation during Q1
An analysis released on Monday showed that the German LNG terminal at the Baltic Sea port Mukran was operating at only 5% of its capacity in the first three months of 2025. This is despite local opposition to the project and criticism of the environmental impact. Germany expanded its natural-gas import options in order to replace Russian pipeline supplies and deployed floating storage units and regasification (FSRUs), causing concerns about overcapacity. According to a German Environmental Aid (DUH), analysis of Gas Infrastructure Europe data, the Mukran terminal's use dropped from 14% a quarter earlier to 5% during the first three months of this year.
DUH: Germany's Mukran Liquefied Natural Gas terminal is at 5% utilisation during Q1
An analysis released on Monday showed that the German LNG terminal at the Baltic Sea port Mukran was operating at only 5% of its capacity in the first three months of 2025. This is despite the ongoing opposition and criticism from locals over the environmental impact of the facility and its excess capacity. Germany is expanding its natural-gas import options in order to replace Russian pipeline supplies. It has also deployed floating storage units and regasification (FSRUs), which has raised concerns about overcapacity. According to a German Environmental Aid (DUH)…
Petrobras has completed the animal care center needed for offshore license
Petrobras, Brazil's state-run oil firm, has finished the work required to get an environmental permit in order to drill offshore. The company announced this on Saturday. The Animal Care Center in Oiapoque in Amapa State is designed to help animals in case of an oil spill. Ibama, the Brazilian environmental agency, made this demand in response to Petrobras’ proposal to drill offshore near Foz do Amazonas. Amapa has issued the veterinary centre with an operating license, but Ibama must still approve it. Petrobras announced in a press release that it had informed the agency of the availability of the center for inspection beginning Monday.
Israeli Firm Gets Final Permit for US Wave Energy Demo
Eco Wave Power, an onshore wave energy technology company, has received a final permit for the construction and demonstration of its wave energy technology in San Pedro, California.The Revocable Permit 25-05 by the Port of Los Angeles was executed on behalf of the Executive Director, Eugene D. Seroka on March 27, 2025.This permit is the final approval required for Eco Wave Power to start construction of its pilot project, following it receiving a federal Nationwide Permit (NWP) 52 for Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects granted by the U.S.
French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Alstom, a French train manufacturer, announced on Tuesday that it had received 2.4 million euro ($1.08m) in public funding as part of the France 2030 plan to speed up the development of an intelligent train safety platform. It also announced a 125-million-euro order to supply 10 more regio2n train sets to the Auvergne/Rhone Alpes region. ARGAN: French firm Argan announced on Tuesday a rental income of 52.9 million euro in the first quarter. It also confirmed its outlook for 2025.
Sources say that the White House is considering an executive order to speed up deep-sea mines.
Two sources who are directly involved in the White House's deliberations say that they are considering an executive order which would expedite permits for deep sea mining in international waters. This would allow mining companies to bypass a United Nations review process. The order, if signed, would be the latest effort by U.S. president Donald Trump to tap into international deposits of nickel and copper, and other essential minerals that are widely used across the economy, after recent efforts made in Greenland, and Ukraine. Trump also used emergency powers earlier this month to boost domestic mineral production.
Varo purchases Swedish refiner Preem as part of a bet on biofuels
Varo Energy, which is backed by Carlyle Group, the largest private equity firm in the world, and Vitol, one of the biggest trading houses in history, announced on Monday that it had bought Swedish refiner Preem. The company said this was a bet on a growing demand for biofuels. Varo has already acquired stakes in oil refining companies in Germany and Switzerland, and is now expanding its sustainable fuels and trading. It has plans to invest $3.5 billion in sustainable energy between 2022-2026. Varo stated that the combined company will supply around 10% to Europe's road fuels, marine fuels, and be Europe’s second largest renewable fuel producer.
Shell plans to deliver gas from Venezuela to Trinidad by 2026, according to sources
Shell Plc aims to start producing natural gas in Venezuela's Dragon field and export it to Trinidad and Tobago, an hour earlier than the initial 2027 start date. The project demonstrates the industry's hope that sanctions against Venezuela will remain in place despite recent tighter enforcement. The people stated that the partners intend to begin survey work in January and decide to drill three wells. They will also need to renew their U.S. licence later this year. U.S. sanctions are aimed at virtually the entire Venezuelan gas and oil industry which is controlled and owned by PDVSA, the state-owned company.
Infinity Natural, backed by Pearl Energy, valued at $1.3 Billion as shares soar in NYSE debut
Infinity Natural Resources, a company owned by private equity, was valued at $1.3 billion after its shares rose 10.8% on their New York Stock Exchange debut on Friday. Morgantown, West Virginia based company opened its stock at $22.16, over the $20 per share offer price. Infinity, supported by Pearl Energy Investments, NGP and other buyout firms, sold 13,25 million shares between $18 and $21 in order to raise $265 millions. The listing coincides with a Trump administration that is more pro-fossil fuels, and a constant stream of energy IPOs.
RODA responds to Trump EO on Offshore Wind & Permitting
The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) extends gratitude to President Trump for his decision to temporarily withdraw all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from consideration for new or renewed wind energy leasing.This important move recognizes the vital role our communities, industries, and ecosystems play in the broader national interest. The decision is a much-needed pause that allows us to reassess the future of offshore wind development and its potential impacts on our coastal environments and local…
Oil minister: Bidding round for $3-4 billion to boost Libya's oil production is expected shortly
Khalifa Abdelsadek said on Saturday that Libya will need between $3 billion and $400 million to achieve a production rate of 1,650,000 barrels of oil per day. He added that the cabinet is expected to approve a new round of license bids before the end January. Abdulsadek stated that the Libyan economy is heavily dependent on oil. It accounts for more than 95% its economic output. Abdulsadek stated that the only way to increase production is by accelerating reconstruction. Abdulsadek stated that the goal was not only to reach 1.6 millions bpd, but also to increase it further to 2 million.
TVO Contracts 4C Global Consultancy to Support UK Clients
Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore (TVO), a developer of innovative solutions for the offshore industry, has engaged Finlay Johnston, through 4C Global Consultancy, to lead business development efforts for TVO in the UK.“We recently appointed a country manager in Australia and are continuing to add to our global team,” says TVO President Jim Maher. “There is a long-term need for expert subsea support services in the UK, and by engaging a local representative, we are strengthening our commitment to the region, providing an avenue for North Sea operators to access our proven solutions…
Data shows that LNG vessels are due to load at sanctioned Russian Terminals and head for Europe and Asia
Shiptracking data revealed on Tuesday that the LNG vessels scheduled to load at two recently sanctioned Russian export facilities are expected to deliver their cargo mainly to Europe, but also to Asia. The U.S. imposed the most extensive sanctions to date on Friday, targeting Russia's oil revenues and gas revenues. This was done to give Kyiv's new team and Donald Trump leverage to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine. Washington has designated two LNG terminals in Portovaya, Vysotsk, and their operators, Gazprom Portovaya SPG and Cryogas Vysotsk, respectively, for sanctions relating to the LNG industry. The sanctions are set to take effect on February 27.
Brazil president signs law authorizing offshore wind development
A statement released late Friday said that Brazilian President Luiz inacio Lula da Silveira had signed into law the bill authorizing offshore wind farms. The move was made to improve the energy security of the country and spur a wave investment. In a statement, it was stated that the new law provides incentives for the development offshore energy projects within Brazilian territorial waters. The wind speed offshore is usually faster and more stable than the wind speed on land. This could be an advantage over wind farms constructed on a continent.
Biden Team wraps up expanded Clean Energy Credit Guidance
The Biden Administration released Tuesday guidance to assist companies in securing clean energy tax credits as part of the 2022 Inflation reduction Act. This program finalized a program that extends subsidies previously available for solar and wind to other low-carbon sources. This move is a part of the actions taken by outgoing president Joe Biden to support his administration's efforts to combat climate change. The move could be vulnerable when President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in the coming weeks on a platform that emphasizes cutting spending and maximising fossil fuel production.
BOEM Advances Offshore Wind Leasing in Guam
In support of the current administration’s goals to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 GW of floating offshore wind energy capacity by 2035, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced the publication of a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) for possible wind energy leasing off the coast of the U.S. Pacific Territory of Guam.This Call will gather public comments to inform potential leasing areas, and results from close collaboration with the Government of Guam,…
Vard Completes Conversion of IT Infinity PSV to Cable Laying Vessel
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has delivered IT Infinity vessel to I.T. International Telecom Marine (IT), after completing its conversion from Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) to specialized Cable Laying Vessel (CLV).Built at Vard Brattvaag and delivered to Volstad Maritime in 2008 as the Volstad Princess, the vessel has changed ownership several times.SD Standard Drilling acquired the ship in 2017, before it was sold to IT in 2021 and renamed IT Infinity.In 2024, the vessel returned to VARD for an extensive conversion, preparing it for its new role as a highly specialized CLV…
