The German antitrust watchdog wants to regulate the oil market more.
The German antitrust authority called for stronger regulation on the price quotes used on the oil market after an investigation showed that pricing was based on limited information which could be manipulated. Prices are often linked to wholesale contracts, and they can have an indirect impact on retail prices. These price quotations are provided by agencies that report prices, such as S&P Global Commodity Insights and Argus Media.
German antitrust watchdog flags price issues in the oil market
The German antitrust authority said on Wednesday that an examination of Germany's oil markets showed pricing issues. It called for stronger legal regulations on price quotes. The Federal Cartel Office will launch an investigation in 2022 into the German refinery and wholesale market for fuels following Russia's invasion. The two-stage investigation examined refinery pricing, fuel imports and supply chains as well as market behaviours.
Officials in Malaysia have announced that they will take action against fraud in the export of used cooking oil.
Malaysia's deputy commodities minister said that it would crack down on fraud within the used cooking oil sector, while western governments investigated whether the shipments of biofuels from Asia contained virgin oil. According to Deputy Plantation and Commodities Ministry Chan Foong Hin, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board is revising its policies and standards governing palm industry waste (SPO), also known as used cooking oil.
Guyana gives Frontera and CGX Energy 30 days notice to cancel their Corentyne license
The Canadian energy companies reported that the Guyana government has given CGX Energy a 30-day warning to cancel the joint venture license of the Corentyne Block. The South American nation expressed earlier a lack confidence that the companies would be able to secure a partner for their project. In a letter, the government stated that it would cancel the petroleum agreement and license with the joint-venture. It also said that there were no "reasonable" grounds to extend the period.
Brazil's Batista Family seeks to expand its footprint in the Oil Sector
According to two sources familiar with the deal, Brazilian oil and natural gas company Fluxus is owned by J&F Group, the holding firm of the Batistas. It has made a nonbinding offer to purchase the assets on land of Brava Energia. J&F acquired Fluxus in 2023. It also purchased a Pluspetrol oil field in Argentina. Fluxus' growth continued in 2024 when it acquired Pluspetrol Bolivia which included three oilfields.
EUROPE GAS-Prices increase on TurkStream news and wider supply concerns
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas rose on Monday due to reports about attempted attacks on Russian pipelines, low levels of storage, new U.S. energy sanctions and forecasts that the weather will be colder and less windy. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was up 1.78 Euros at 47.19 Euros per megawatt hour, or $14.11/mmBtu by 1021 GMT. The British front-month rose 6.82 pence to 120.07 p/therm.
Japex to invest in US tight-oil project as operator
A senior executive at Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex), said that the company is interested in investing in the U.S. tight gas and oil sector with a view to becoming an operator. Yutaka Nishimura said at a press conference that Japex is exploring investment opportunities for the U.S. tight gas and oil sectors. We are looking to become operators. He added that Japan's second largest oil and gas company, which has invested in U.S.
Rosneft denies reports that 'evil Sechin’ plans to takeover Russian oil giants
Rosneft is Russia's largest oil company. It denied any reports that it was planning to take over a large chunk of the Russian Oil Sector. They said these reports were an attempt to portray its CEO, Igor Sechin as a bad influence. The Wall Street Journal reported on Russia's plans to merge Rosneft with Gazprom, Lukoil and Lukoil. This would result in one of the most powerful oil companies in the world. Rosneft released a statement regarding the reports, which it called "false-flags".
Ghana's oil production increases for the first time in five years
Ghana's crude output increased 10.7% on an annual basis in the first half of 2024. This reversed a five-year-old decline in production. Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer, started producing crude oil in 2010. However, output dropped to a 5-year low by 2023, due to declines in production from existing fields. This effectively erased gains made by new wells. PIAC, a government body tasked to monitor the oil sector…
Export data for Malaysia 2025 shows palm oil prices falling on the back of profit-taking.
Profit-taking led to a reversal of gains in the Malaysian palm oil futures on Friday, although traders are expecting the market to be supported by the announcement of the Malaysian budget for 2025 and the export data. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in January on the Bursa Derivatives exchange fell 7 ringgit or 0.16% to 4,271 Ringgit ($992.33) per metric ton at the midday break. The contract is down 1.82% this week after four weeks of gains.
Norway will increase spending on its wealth fund to $43 billion by 2025
The Norwegian minority government announced on Monday that it will raise public spending from Norway's $1.8 trillion sovereign fund in 2025 to pay for expenses. Elections for the parliament are due in September next year. The Labour Party and Centre Party have proposed to withdraw 460.1 billion Norwegian crowns (43 billion dollars) in 2025. This is an increase from a revised 416 billion in 2024. Now, the government must negotiate with the Socialist Left in order to pass the budget.
VEGOILS - Palm extends its winning streak on concerns about output; firm ringgit is a factor
The price of Malaysian palm oils futures increased for the fifth consecutive session on Tuesday, despite concerns about production. A stronger ringgit and cancellations by India, the world's largest buyer in terms of palm oil imports, capped the gains. The benchmark palm-oil contract for December delivery at the Bursa Derivatives Market closed 12 ringgit or 0.3% higher, closing at $3,989 ($961.20) per metric ton. The contract's price has increased 6.7% over the last five sessions.
Palm snaps winning streak of four sessions on strong ringgit and India demand concerns
On Tuesday, Malaysian palm oils futures fell for a first time in five sessions due to a stronger ringgit as well as concerns about demand after India, the world's largest buyer of palm oil, cancelled import contracts. By mid-day, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange for December delivery fell 20 ringgit (0.5%), to 3,957 Ringgit ($948.92) per metric ton. The contract has risen 6.5% over the last four sessions.
NEO Energy reduces UK investment plans due to fiscal and regulatory uncertainty
NEO Energy announced on Monday that it would slow down its investment in all of its portfolios due to the uncertainty surrounding fiscal and regulatory issues in the British oil sector. NEO is the owner of half the Buchan Horst project in the UK North Sea. Serica Energy, Jersey Oil & Gas and NEO are the joint venture partners. They own 30% and 20% respectively. The British government has decided to delay…
Rosneft CEO blasts high taxes, Rosneft's H1 earnings are up 27% year-on-year
Rosneft, Russia's biggest oil producer, said that its net income for the first half of this year rose by 27% compared to last year. Sales also increased. Company chief Igor Sechin referred to rising taxes as "destructive". The revenue for the period January to June was 5.174 trillion roubles. This is an increase of 33.4% compared to the previous year. Rosneft is responsible for 40% of Russia’s oil production. It managed to divert sales to India and China, away from Europe.
Germany's automotive industry demands stricter climate targets from fuel suppliers
The VDA, the German auto association, said that Germany must go beyond EU fuel guidelines if it is to reach its goal of a climate-neutral transport by 2045. VDA stated in a press release that the EU's Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), which was adopted late last season, isn't ambitious enough. Hildegard Müller, VDA president, said that politicians should create incentives to encourage the use of renewable energies and to ensure and promote investment.
Eni, Vaar Agree to Buy Neptune Energy in $4.9 Billion Deal
Italy's Eni ENI.MI and its Norwegian unit Vaar have agreed to buy private-equity backed Neptune Energy in a deal valuing the assets of the gas and oil producer at $4.9 billion including debt, the two groups said on Friday.The acquisition, which is expected to be completed at the start of next year, is one of the biggest oil and gas deals in Europe in years.The deal fits the Italian group's plan to increase…
Norway Oil Companies Slash Investment Plans
Norwegian oil and gas investment, a key economic driver, is expected to decline sharply in 2021 after rising less than previously anticipated this year, an industry survey by the national statistics agency (SSB) showed on Thursday.The biggest drop will come in the exploration for new reserves and in spending on development plans, while ongoing oilfield construction work continues largely as expected, the data showed.The closely watched forecasts…
Norway Deciding Whether to Cut Oil Output
Norway's oil minister reiterated on Tuesday that Western Europe's largest oil producer was soon to conclude whether to cut its output following historical curbs agreed by the OPEC+ group.Brent crude front-month contract fell to $18.10 a barrel on Tuesday, its lowest since December 2001, after U.S. May futures dropped to minus $40 a barrel on Monday due to worries about the novel coronavirus pandemic's impact on fuel demand."We have not yet concluded.
Shell Sets Oil Sector's Broadest Carbon Reduction Plans
Royal Dutch Shell on Thursday deepened its ambition to battle climate change, setting the oil and gas sector's broadest plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050.The new climate goals put the Anglo-Dutch company - at least on paper - ahead of the most progressive of its rivals, including BP and Italy's Eni."Society's expectations have shifted quickly in the debate around climate change…
