Brazil's Raizen reaches deal for out-of-court debt restructuring, O Globo reports
Local newspaper O Globo on Tuesday reported that Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer Raizen had reached an agreement?with bondholders and creditors?for a?debt restructuring?out of court. O Globo reported that the agreement would be announced on Tuesday evening, but did not cite a source. Raizen's debt is financed by creditors and bondholders, who represent about 40% of the total. It said that the deal doesn't affect suppliers. Raizen has declined to comment.
Zambia seeks global investors to triple copper production by 2031
Zambia is wooing investors from around the world, including those in the United States. It aims to triple its copper production to 3 million tons by 2031. Washington wants to work with the second largest copper producer in Africa, Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States is intensifying efforts to loosen China’s grip on critical materials for advanced manufacturing. Zambia missed its annual target of 1,000,000 tons by a mere?890.346 tons.
India's small-scale steelmakers are facing production cuts due to LNG shortages caused by the Iran war
Industry officials say that a number of small 'Indian steel' producers have warned of production cuts due to the Middle East conflict, which is disrupting gas supplies for the world’s second largest producer of the alloy behind China. Triveni Iron and Steel Industries, based in Gujarat, is the largest gas-consuming area of the country, and relies heavily on Middle East gas for a large portion of its supply. Gujarat is dependent on LNG imports for several small steel mills.
Oil majors are still stuck on the sidelines as Iran's war increases oil prices.
Oil prices rose to their highest level since 2022 on Monday, but the shares of major producers such as Shell and Exxon Mobil are still only seeing modest gains'since the U.S. - Israel war on Iran 'broke out last month. This suggests that traders believe the pain in the market could be temporary. The iShares Global Energy ETF, which tracks global energy companies, is up about 2%. Crude oil futures are up more than 40% since Israel launched its joint airstrikes with the U.S. on February 28.
LSEG data shows that Freeport LNG is on the way to resuming full production.
Freeport LNG in Texas will resume full production Monday after an outage Sunday, according to the company. Freeport LNG said on Monday that it was "in the process" of increasing production rates. LSEG data shows that Freeport, which is the third-largest LNG producer in the U.S.?was pulling 1.2 bcf of natural gas on Monday to be converted into LNG. The plant is capable of handling around 2 bcfd and was only using 600 million cubic foot on Sunday.
Iran War causes major disruptions in oil and gas
U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, and Tehran's attacks upon Gulf neighbours has caused oil and gas?exports to be disrupted and production stopped. Sources say that Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producer, cut its output Monday. The Strait of Hormuz is the most important oil artery in the world, and it handles 20% of the global oil supply. Two sources reported on Monday that Aramco had begun reducing production at two of its fields. Saudi Arabia is the top oil exporter in the world.
Merafe Resources' profits plunge after soaring electricity costs close smelters
Merafe Resources, a South African company, reported a 72% drop in its full-year profits on 'Monday. This was after it suspended operations at its ferrochrome smelters because of high electricity prices. Merafe’s headline earnings per shares fell from 42.9 South African Cents to 12.2 South African Cents for the year ending December 31, 2025. The?company that operates a joint venture ferrochrome with Glencore?idled their plants in April 2025…
US-Israeli War on Iran Causes Major Oil, Gas Disruptions
The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has caused oil and gas exports to be disrupted from the Middle East. Production was stopped from Qatar all the way up to Iraq. Kuwait announced cuts this weekend. Analysts predict the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, too, will have to reduce their output as soon as possible when they run out of oil storage. Kuwait Force Majeure: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation cut oil output and declared force majeure March 7…
Iran War threatens to hit global energy markets for a long time
Even if the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran ends soon, consumers and businesses around the world could face weeks or even months of higher fuel costs as suppliers deal with damaged facilities and logistics and increased shipping risks. This outlook is a threat to the global economy and to President Donald Trump's political position as he heads into midterm elections. Voters are concerned about energy costs and do not like foreign involvement.
The Iran War threatens to have a long-lasting impact on global energy markets
Even if the conflict with Iran ends soon, consumers and businesses could face weeks or even months of higher fuel prices. This is because suppliers are dealing with damaged facilities, disrupted logistic, and increased risks in shipping. This outlook is a greater threat to global economic stability and a political vulnerability to U.S. president Donald Trump as we approach the midterms. Voters are sensitive to energy costs and do not like foreign involvement.
Asian Oil Refineries, Petrochemicals Cut Runs as MidEast Conflict Escalates
Several Asian refineries and petrochemical companies were forced to cut runs and declare force majeure as the U.S.-Israel war on Iran disrupted crude and feedstock exports from the Middle East.Asian steam crackers, which source more than 60% of their naphtha feedstock from the Middle East, have been quick to declare force majeure on petrochemical supplies to customers.Three operators told Reuters they…
Japan's Nikkei to suffer its biggest weekly decline in 11 months due to Middle East conflict
Investors slashed riskier assets as renewed worries arose over the Middle East conflict. The Nikkei Index was flat as of 0219 GMT. It had dropped as much as 1.4% in the morning, and is on course for its biggest weekly percentage drop since April 4. This week, the?benchmark has fallen by nearly 6%. The broad?Topix index held steady at 3702.7. Shota Sando is an equity market analyst with Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.
Equinor, a Norwegian company, wants to keep gas and oil exports high despite the rising prices
The Norwegian energy company Equinor is focusing on maintaining high levels of regularity when it comes to its exports of crude oil and natural gases to Europe. This is because the Iran conflict has a significant impact on global energy supplies. The U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran, and its retaliatory strikes across the Gulf Region have paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a crucial route for oil and liquefied gas (LNG), producers in the Gulf.
Canadian Natural Resources exceeds profit expectations on higher production
Canadian Natural Resources, an oil and gas producer, posted a profit that was higher than expected for the fourth quarter. The company's increased output offset lower crude prices. Canadian Natural Resources and other oil sands producers in Canada have survived a 'global downturn', despite the uncertainty caused by U.S. Tariffs, as well as a rise in OPEC+ production, due to their years of investment. Their costs are among the lowest found anywhere in North America.
Statkraft CEO: Iran crisis could cause European power prices to rise and industry woes
The prolonged Iran crisis, which has hampered shipments of key energy and halted the production of?Qatari gas in Qatar, is expected to increase European electricity prices and erode industrial competitiveness. This was stated by Statkraft's CEO on Thursday. The United States, Israel and Iran have all launched attacks on Iran. In addition, Iran has also struck at its Arab Gulf neighbours. This has paralysed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The price of gas in Europe is rising as Putin suggests a reduction in supply
LONDON, 5th March - Benchmark Dutch & British wholesale gas prices recovered on Thursday morning following a decline in the previous session. President Vladimir Putin had warned that Russia could stop its'remaining' gas flows into Europe. This added to fears about supply, especially after Qatar announced a force majeure on LNG shipments. The Dutch front-month contract at the TTF hub – the benchmark price for?Europe – rose by 2% at 0928 GMT to 49.0 Euros per Megawatt Hour…
Pluspetrol in Peru stops gas production following pipeline leak
Pluspetrol, Peru's liquefied gas producer, has halted production of LPG following a rupture and leak on a pipeline in the Amazon region. The ruptured pipeline was operated by Transportadora de Gas del Peru, (TGP), and occurred in Megantoni district, Cusco region, just a few kilometers away from the Camisea field, where Pluspetrol extracts gas. Pluspetrol's Pisco fractionation plant has been cut off from receiving natural gas.
Ecopetrol's Q4 profit drops by 58%
Ecopetrol, Colombia's state-owned oil producer, reported on Wednesday a 58% decline in profits for the fourth quarter compared to a year ago. This was due to lower Brent crude prices, lower gas sales in Colombia, and effects of a weaker currency. The company reported in a filing to Colombia's stock market that the net profit for the quarter was?801 billion Colombian Pesos ($211 millions) on total sales which?fell by 15.8%, to 17.17 trillion Colombian Pesos.
The new advisory board of Inpasa, an ethanol firm, will focus on growth and development according to a member
Inpasa, a corn ethanol producer, has a new advisory board that will help the company pursue growth strategies. This could include international expansion. The first member of this board, Jose Olympio Pereira, said on Wednesday. Inpasa, which has plants both in Paraguay & Brazil, has been expanding rapidly. Pereira, the former CEO of Banco J. Safra in Brazil (the investment banking arm of the?Safra Group), has "always" been a fan.
Datagro: Global sugar deficit will increase between the current and next season
Datagro, a consultancy, said on Wednesday that the global sugar'market' is projected to have a deficit in 2026/27 of 2,68 million metric tons, compared to an 800,000 ton shortfall in 2025/26. The projected deficit is based on a stable sugar production compared to the previous season, in Brazil's central-south region. Brazil is the world's biggest producer. Datagro predicts sugar production in the region of 40.7 millions tons by 2026/27 compared to 40.77 million tonnes in 2025/26.