UK watchdog warns SLB-ChampionX could harm competition
The British Competition Regulator said that the proposed $8 billion acquisition of smaller competitor ChampionX by oilfield services firm SLB could lead to a significant lessening in competition in the United Kingdom. SLB and ChampionX will not be allowed to proceed with an in-depth investigation unless they offer corrective measures, said the Competition and Markets Authority. The companies have until April 3, 2019 to provide these remedies. SLB stated that it would work with CMA to resolve any concerns…
The drilling of the offshore gas project in Romanian Black Sea has begun.
On Tuesday, the owners of Romania's Neptun Deep offshore project announced that drilling had begun in the Black Sea. This could lead to the production of one the EU's biggest gas deposits in 2027, which would ease the transition from Russian gas. Neptun Deep is jointly owned by the oil and gas company OMV Petrom, and Romania's Romgaz. It holds approximately 100 billion cubic metres of recoverable gas. OMV Petrom, a majority-owned company of Austria's OMV, is the largest shareholder in Neptun Deep.
Polish Cabinet approves liberalisation in wind farm regulations
Polish authorities approved on Friday a draft law that eases the rules for building onshore wind farms. This is a major step towards delivering on a promise made at 2023's election to increase power production using renewable energy sources. The new rules must be approved by the parliament. They reduce the distance between planned installations, and residential areas, but keep permitting restrictions for projects near national parks and natural protected areas.
Sources say that Elliott met with BP investors in order to discuss further changes.
Two shareholders have confirmed that Elliott Management, an activist investor in BP, has met with several of the company's largest shareholders to form a consensus on more changes. These could include cost reductions and a possible leadership reshuffle. BP's stock has performed worse than rivals Shell, Exxon and Shell in the past five years. Investors have blamed this in part on 2020 plan of the company to focus on its renewable business and cut oil and gas production.
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.
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.
Eni sells stakes to Vitol in upstream projects in Ivory Coast and Congo
The Italian energy group Eni announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to sell its stakes in the upstream assets of the Ivory Coast, and the Republic of the Congo, to the global energy trader Vitol. Eni stated that the deal is worth $1.65bn based on an appraisal from January 1, 2024. However, there will be a cash payment at closing. Eni announced that Vitol would acquire an interest on oil and gas producing assets, and blocks, which are undergoing exploration appraisal and development.
Document reveals EU countries' draft plan to relax gas storage targets
A document seen by revealed that European Union nations are considering making the bloc’s binding gas storage targets more flexible. They do this because they fear the rules could lead to an increase in gas prices. Germany, France, and the Netherlands warned that the EU's deadlines for filling gas storage were pushing prices up. By indicating to the markets that European buyers were obliged to purchase large volumes of fuel within fixed deadlines, it created an opportunity to manipulate the prices.
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by exporting Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release, the Hamburg Regional Court announced that it would proceed with the trial of two of the defendants…
Two former Siemens executives to be tried for violating Russia sanctions in Germany
The court announced on Friday that a German court had decided to initiate a criminal case against two former Siemens executives who were accused of violating the sanctions by helping to export Siemens gas turbines into Russian-occupied Crimea. Last year, prosecutors in Hamburg, Germany charged four Germans as well as a Swiss-French national with alleged sanctions violation. In a press release, the Hamburg Regional Court announced that it would proceed with the trial of two of the defendants…
German Gas Storage Group urges clarification on summer filling policy
Storage operators' group INES warned on Thursday that if the German government does not decide to fill up gas caverns in time for winter, there may be shortages. The ongoing discussions over the formation a new government and the fact that the summer prices are higher than the winter prices complicate the task. Some market participants bet that Germany will need to subsidise feed-in. INES 16 members control about 25% of the gas storage in the European Union.
EIB examines financing for $760 million hydro project in DRC
A spokesperson for the European Investment Bank said that the bank is delaying decisions on financing the Ruzizi III hydroelectric plant, worth $760 million, in Central Africa due to the fighting between Rwandan-backed and Democratic Republic of Congo rebels. After the January blitzkrieg of Congolese rebels, which saw them take over the strategic cities Goma and Bukavu and was condemned by African leaders as well as Western countries, Europe is increasing pressure on its adversaries.
Sources say that most EU countries support softer storage targets for gas
In a meeting held behind closed doors on Wednesday, a majority of European Union member countries supported plans to relax some of the bloc’s binding gas storage targets when they were extended until 2026-2027. EU diplomats confirmed this. Germany, France, and the Netherlands warned that the EU's deadlines for filling gas storage were pushing prices up. By indicating to the markets that European buyers are required to purchase large volumes of fuel within fixed deadlines, it created an opportunity to manipulate the prices.
UK court orders Barrick to pay Hannam $2 Million for the Randgold merger
The High Court of London ruled that Barrick Gold Canada must pay British dealmaker Ian Hannam’s firm $2 Million plus expenses for the work he did on the acquisition by Randgold Resources. Hannam, a former top rainmaker at JPMorgan, was nicknamed "the king of mining" because of his track record in brokering deals for the resources sector. This includes the merger which created BHP in 2001 and the merger between Glencore and Xstrata in 2012. Hannam & Partners…
OPEC holds view that demand is not a concern, despite claims by Kazakhstan to lead the jump in OPEC+ production
OPEC announced on Wednesday that Kazakhstan was the country responsible for a significant increase in crude production in February by the wider OPEC+ group. This highlights a challenge facing the producer group to enforce adherence of agreed output targets. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reported that OPEC+ - which includes OPEC, Russia, and other allies - increased its output in February by 363,000 barrels a day, to 41,01 million bpd. Kazakhstan was the leading producer.
Citi increases gold forecasts due to tariff uncertainty and central bank demand
Citi Research raised its average gold price forecasts for the near term and 2025, citing geopolitical and trade war risks under U.S. president Donald Trump as well as robust central bank purchases. The bank raised its forecast for 2025 to $2.900 per ounce, up from $2.800, and increased its price target by three months to $3,000 an ounce. Trump imposed an extra 10% tariff on all Chinese imports to the U.S. on Tuesday, and China responded by imposing tariffs on U.S. imported goods. This renewed the trade war between two of the world's largest economies.
Hungary's MVM expects the E.ON Energie Romania agreement to close in June or September
MVM Group, the state-owned energy firm in Hungary, expects to complete its deal to purchase a majority stake in E.ON Energie Romania by June or July. MVM's CEO told Portfolio.hu Thursday. E.ON announced this deal in December. It is subject to the approval of Romanian authorities. MVM, unlike most energy providers in Europe, gets a significant portion of its gas from Russia. In January, the Romanian energy ministry warned that this sale could be halted for security reasons.
Russell: China's impact on US energy trade is minimal at first.
China responded to the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump with its own measures, effectively killing off trade between the United States in crude oil and liquefied gas as well as coal. China, which is the largest importer of these three commodities in the world, imposed import duties on Tuesday of 15% for U.S. coal and LNG, and 10% for crude oil and farm machinery. Beijing made its move after the Trump Administration imposed an extra 10% tariff on all Chinese imports into the United States.
German spot prices are affected by higher wind output
The spot electricity prices in Germany fell on Tuesday, as the wind power generation expected to increase. At 0902 GMT, the German power price for the day ahead was down 1.7% at 142.0 Euros per megawatt-hour. LSEG data shows that the French baseload rate for the day was 143.5 euros/MWh. This is a 0.4% decrease. On the supply-side, Germany's wind output was expected to increase by 3.9 gigawatts up to 16.2 GW. French wind power output is expected to drop by 230 megawatts per day to 2.8 GW.
Kazakhstan's daily crude oil production at a record high amid Chevron led expansion
Official data show that oil production in Kazakhstan hit a record of 278 499 metric tonnes on Sunday, just a few days after the country began expanding its largest oilfield - Tengiz led by Chevron. Kazakhstan, which depends on Tengiz, and two other large fields, Karachaganak, and Kashagan for the majority of its production, is subjected to output targets because it's a member of OPEC+. This alliance of OPEC, other top producers, led by Russia, has set out specific output goals.
