Sunday, January 25, 2026

Oil Fields News

Documents show that Venezuela's proposed oil-reform will give companies operating autonomy and cash proceeds to companies.

Drafts of a proposed overhaul of Venezuela's hydrocarbons laws showed that foreign and local companies could operate oilfields independently through a new model of contract, commercialize the?output?, and receive sales proceeds, even when acting as minor partners of PDVSA. Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's interim president, presented the proposal last week to the National Assembly. The oil industry in…

Venezuelan Oil Exports Progress Slowly Under US Supply Deal

© Adobe Stock/Vladimir

Venezuelan oil exports under a flagship $2 billion supply deal with the U.S. reached about 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and documents from state-run PDVSA showed, with shipments accelerating after the U.S. eased its blockade but not enough for PDVSA to fully reverse output cuts.Following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, Caracas and Washington agreed to a deal to sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude stored in tanks and vessels.

Galp is focusing on upstream growth in Brazil and Namibia with its refining spin-off.

The co-chief executive of Galp, Joao diogo marques da Silva, said on Tuesday that the company will "focus" on growing its upstream oilfields business in Brazil and Namibia. It may also list some of its newly created downstream business within a few years. The company announced earlier this month that it was in discussions with Moeve, a private equity-backed firm, to combine their two businesses into two new?entities. One entity would focus on retailing and the other on refining.

Maha Capital asks for US approval to purchase stake in Venezuelan oil company

Paulo Thiago Mendonca is the chairman of Maha Capital's board. He said that the United States has approved the acquisition of an indirect minority stake in a PDVSA controlled oil company. The firm has until the end of May to "exercise" an option to acquire a majority stake. Novonor is a subsidiary that owns 40% PetroUrdaneta - a small oil company in Venezuela with underdeveloped oilfields. Maha's deal…

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.

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.

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.

China's crude and gas production, refinery throughput in 2025 will reach new heights

Government data released on Monday showed that China's crude oil production and refinery throughput will both reach new highs in 2025, with crude oil growth of 1.5% and 4.1% respectively. National Bureau of Statistics reported that the world's second-largest oil consumer will process 737.59 metric tons of crude oil in 2025. Calculations showed that this is equivalent to?about?14.75million barrels per day (bpd) and surpasses the previous record set in 2023 of 14.7million bpd.

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…

US permits talks about Lukoil’s foreign assets to continue until February 28,

The U.S. Department of Treasury on Wednesday extended the license for companies to 'talk' with Russian energy giant Lukoil regarding buying their foreign assets by more than one month, until February 28, 2019. On October 22, President Donald Trump sanctioned Lukoil, one of Russia's largest energy companies, and Rosneft, the other, as part a campaign to put pressure on Moscow for its involvement in Ukraine. Lukoil listed its assets for sale soon after.

What's at stake in Uganda’s presidential elections?

On Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his four decade rule in an election which has raised questions about his eventual successor. Although political analysts claim that Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), his party, are almost certain to win the presidential and parliamentary election due to their stranglehold over Ugandan institutions, the outcome of the vote could have significant implications for the 'path' forward for the country.

Trump calls on US oil companies to fix Venezuela's rotting energy industry

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, began a meeting at the White House on Friday to discuss Venezuela. He said he wanted executives from some of the largest oil companies in the world to invest $100 billion to expand Venezuela's production. The meeting reflects Trump's importance for oil in his strategy towards the OPEC nation, after U.S. troops seized Nicolas Maduro as the leader of the South American nation during a brazen raid overnight on the capital on January 3.

Iraq nationalises West Qurna 2 Oilfield Operations, Government Says

Iraqi Cabinet has approved the nationalisation of petroleum operations in West Qurna 2 Oilfield, one?of the world's largest oilfields, according to the 'provisions' of a contract signed with Russia Lukoil. The cabinet agreed to also seek approvals for financing operations via the Majnoon account. This will be boosted with proceeds from crude shipments sold by SOMO, state oil marketing company. An Iraqi oil manager said that the state-run Basra Oil Company would?cover local salaries…

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…

Oil Executives Dispute Trump's Claim of Talks with US Majors on Venezuela

© RomanWhale studio / Adobe Stock

Four oil executives who are familiar with the situation say that the Trump administration didn't consult Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips or Chevron about Venezuela either before or after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.This contradicts the assertion made by President Donald Trump on Air Force One Sunday, that he spoke to all U.S. companies of oil "before and afterwards"…

Explainer: Status of Foreign Oil Companies in Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest

© Mike Mareen / Adobe Stock

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…

US oil companies benefit after Trump signals access Venezuelan reserves

U.S. Oil Companies' Shares jumped Monday fueled by the prospect that the U.S. could gain access to Venezuela's vast reserves of oil after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. was taking control of Venezuela following the arrest of their president. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, but its production has plummeted over the past decades because of?mismanagement?, a lack of foreign investment after the nationalization and sanctions on the oil industry.

Oil Prices Fall on Looming Supply Glut

Credit: Adobe Stock/ Corona Borealis

Oil prices fell by more than $1 a barrel on Friday as investors weighed a looming global supply glut, while also keeping an eye on a potential Ukraine peace deal ahead of talks this weekend between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump.Brent crude futures fell $1.13 or 1.82% to $61.11 per barrel by 1:14 p.m. EDT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.13…

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.

Why US producers are paying attention to Canada's most popular shale play

Executives, analysts, and advisors say that U.S. producers of oil and gas are seeking new drilling territories in Western Canada's Montney Basin, an enormous shale play in a remote area. The basin is already a hub of M&A and may see even more deals in the near future. The United States has become the largest oil producer in the world as a result of extensive drilling on shale deposits over the past 15 years.