Chevron: Argentina's costs are still challenging, despite reform progress
Mark Nelson, Vice Chairman of Chevron, said that the cost of doing business remains high in Argentina despite the promising geology. The government of Javier Milei has made progress to promote the oil industry. Mark Nelson, Vice Chairman of Chevron, said that the geology in Argentina is excellent despite the progress made by the government under President Javier Milei to promote the oil economy. Chevron holds exploration and development interest in the Vaca Muerta Formation in southern Neuquen Province, where the estimated ultimate recovery is 50% higher per well than the average in the Permian Basin in Texas.
Lukoil attracts buyers for its foreign assets
The foreign assets of Russian oil giant Lukoil, which range from Egypt to Kazakhstan are attracting bidders. Time is running out for the deals to be completed before U.S. sanctions are enforced. As part of their efforts to get the Kremlin into peace talks on Ukraine, the U.S. has imposed sanctions against Lukoil. They have already blocked Lukoil’s attempts to sell foreign assets before the deadline of November 21, 2015. Sanctions have already affected Lukoil operations in Iraq and at pump stations in Finland, as well as a refinery located in Bulgaria. As the empire crumbles, governments and other partners hope to grab its foreign assets at a bargain price.
As the US shutdown comes to an end, UK's FTSE100 hits a record high.
Investors welcomed signs that the long-running U.S. shutdown may be ending. The blue-chip index ended 0.1% higher and is now within striking distance of 10,000. The FTSE 250 mid-cap index was down by 0.7%. Upgrade the UK's regulated electric networks and expand their renewable business. Metal mining companies gained 1.3% in value as the copper price increased on global commodities markets. Market sentiment improved after growing optimism that the U.S. This has caused a disruption in the release of important economic data. The Federal Reserve would be better able to make future interest rate decisions if a resolution were reached.
Chevron aims to increase cash flow by 10% annually through 2030 and cut costs even more.
Chevron announced on Wednesday its plans to increase oil and gas production and grow free cash flow annually by more than 10 percent through 2030, all while reducing costs and capital spending. Chevron announced its new guidance on Wednesday at their investor day. The company has been working to improve efficiency following a restructuring that took place earlier this year, which included the layoff of up to 20 percent of employees or approximately 8,000 people. After a delay of a year, the company completed its $55 billion purchase of Hess. This delayed it from providing long-term financial forecasts until now.
Mexico's Vista will invest $4.5 billion to boost production in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale.
Vista, a Mexican energy company, announced on Wednesday that it would invest over $4.5 billion into the vast Vaca Muerta shale in Argentina to increase production. Vista's production is expected to increase to over 200,000 barrels equivalent per day by 2030 from the 114,000 boe/d it was expecting this year. The company said as much in an investor presentation. Mexico City listed shares of the company rose nearly 2% in value after opening to 950 pesos (US$51.72). Vista, Argentina's second largest shale producer has heavily invested in Vaca Muerta. It said that the firm plans to double its export revenue in the next three-year period, bringing in $8 billion.
Lukoil's drilling plans in the Black Sea of Romania are stymied by sanctions
Vantage Drilling, a company listed in Oslo, has cancelled a contract for drilling next year. Two industry sources said on Wednesday that the contract was with Russian oil major Lukoil to explore its Romanian Black Sea Trident discovery. This cancellation comes just days after the company declared force majeure on its Iraqi oilfield, the company's prized asset abroad. Vantage Drilling announced on 19 October that it had cancelled a contract of 260 days for its drillship Platinum Explorer without revealing the client or location. Three days earlier, Britain had imposed restrictions on Lukoil as well as Rosneft, another Russian oil company.
The Black Sea Infrastructure is at risk, according to the Romanian National Defence Strategy
A draft national defence strategy released on Wednesday said that Romania must strengthen its ties with allies along the Black Sea to protect energy projects, which will make Romania the largest gas producer of the European Union in 2027. In the past two years, the EU and NATO member state has been repeatedly violated by Russian drones. Mines have also been spotted in the Black Sea along key trade and energy routes. Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia, along with Turkey and Ukraine, share the Black Sea, which is vital for grain, oil, and oil-based products.
The UK's FTSE100 is down as energy and industrial shares weigh
The FTSE 100 index in London dipped on Wednesday, after two sessions of record-high levels. Losses in energy and industrial shares weighed heavily on the market. Blue-chip index fell 0.1% to 9,886 as of 1214 GMT. However, it is still nearing record levels and within striking range of the 10,000 point. The mid-cap index FTSE 250 rose 0.1%. The market sentiment improved this week as investors hoped for a resolution to the U.S. Government shutdown. Investors expect that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote soon to end the shutdown, which has prevented the release of important economic data.
Chevron targets 10% cash flow growth annually through 2030 and higher cost reduction
Chevron announced on Wednesday its plans to increase free cash flow and oil and gas production by over 10% per year through 2030, and reduce costs and capital expenditures. Chevron announced new guidance on its investor day as part of an effort to improve the efficiency of the company following a restructuring earlier this year that included layoffs. After a delay of a year, the company completed its acquisition of Hess for $55 billion in July. This had prevented it to give long-term financial advice until now. Its shares are up 7.8% so far this year, but they're still behind rival oil producers Exxon Mobil & Shell.
The cold weather forecast is driving up gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain
The wholesale prices of Dutch and British gas rose on Wednesday morning as the colder weather forecast increased demand. LSEG data revealed that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract for the TTF hub had increased by 0.34 euros to 31.50 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), or $10.67 /mmBtu at 0913 GMT. The Dutch day-ahead rate was 30.75 euros/MWh, up 0.55 Euro. The British day-ahead contracts was up by 4.9 pence to 68 p/therm. Ulrich Weber, LSEG's analyst, said that the temperature forecast for next week is 0.7 degrees Celsius colder than it was this morning. The temperatures are expected to be well below normal.
UAE's Dana Gas signs an agreement to explore the revival of Syria gas fields
Dana Gas, based in the UAE, announced on Wednesday that it had signed an initial agreement with Syria's oil company for assessing the redevelopment of natural gas fields damaged by the 13-year-old civil war which made Syria dependent on imports from Iran. The Syrian rebels overthrew longtime president Bashar al-Assad in late 2018. Since then, the country has pursued a new strategic alignment away from Tehran. This was under President Ahmed al-Sharaa who met with U.S. Donald Trump on Monday. Natural gas production is estimated to be down to 3 billion cubic meters (bcm), from 8.7 bcm, in 2023.
Shell appeals against arbitration ruling on Venture Global LNG Supply Contracts
Shell has filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to challenge its loss in an arbitration against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The two arbitration cases were based on Venture Global's inability to deliver LNG as per long-term contracts, while the prices of LNG soared following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Shell argues in its latest filing that, while it is difficult to appeal arbitration decisions, they believe such a move was justified as Venture Global withheld crucial evidence. Shell confirmed that the document was filed on Monday.
Analysis finds that China's CO2 emission hasn't increased in 18 months.
Carbon Brief's analysis found that China's carbon dioxide emission was flat on an annual basis in the third quarter. This extends a streak of 18 months with flat or declining emissions. Lauri Myllyvirta, of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in Helsinki, said that the trend started in March 2024 and could mean CO2 emissions will fall this year if there is no year-end spike. Carbon Brief's previous analysis showed that CO2 production rose by 0.8% in 2024, following a rebound after the pandemic at the beginning of the year. In September, the government pledged to cap carbon emissions in 2030, and by 2035 reduce them by 7-10% from this as-yet unidentified peak.
Shell challenges Venture Global Arbitration Decision in New York Supreme Court
Shell is appealing its loss in a case against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global at the New York Supreme Court. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The dispute arose from Venture Global's failure of to deliver liquefied gas under long-term agreements starting in 2023. Shell claims in a new filing that Venture Global hid information from Shell and to the arbitration tribunal. Shell confirmed that the filing was made Monday. Shell, BP, Edison, and Galp, among others, filed arbitration claims in 2023 accusing Venture Global that it profited from the sale on LNG at the spot market…
VCI, the German chemicals lobby, says that despite a weak third quarter, there is no sign of a turnaround for the sector.
VCI, the industry lobby, said that Germany's chemical sector saw a drop in production, sales, and prices during the third quarter. The industry is still under pressure due to overcapacity and high operating costs, as well as a challenging economic climate. German Chemicals Association reported that quarterly production in the chemical industry including pharmaceuticals fell by 1.5%, while producer prices dropped by 0.6%. Third-largest industrial sector of Europe's economic powerhouse, Germany, can be seen to be a bellwether. It produces materials components that are used in a wide range of sectors from agriculture and textiles to automotive and construction.
Kremlin: Putin and Tokayev will discuss gas projects, US sanctions against Russian oil and other issues.
The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev in Moscow to discuss gas projects, as well as the impact of U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that Putin was also interested in hearing about the talks Tokayev held last week with Donald Trump and other Central Asian presidents. Peskov responded that the two leaders will discuss the impact of U.S. economic sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil & Rosneft. "Our trade and economy cooperation with Kazakhstan has many facets." It is a broad-based cooperation that covers almost every aspect of the economy.
Shell appeals against arbitration ruling on Venture Global LNG Supply Contracts
Shell has filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to challenge its loss in an arbitration against U.S. liquefied gas producer Venture Global. This comes weeks after BP won a $1 billion arbitration. The two arbitration cases concerned Venture Global's inability to deliver LNG as per long-term contracts, while the prices of LNG on the spot market soared following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Shell, in a new filing, claimed that, while it was true the legal hurdles to appeal arbitration decisions are high, they believed an appeal would be justified because Venture Global withheld crucial evidence. Shell confirmed that the document was filed on Monday.
EUROPE GAS-European gas prices are soaring on the back of mild weather and strong supply
The Dutch and British electricity prices were in a tight range on Tuesday, as the mild weather kept heating demand low and amid a strong supply of LNG and natural gas from Norway. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was up 0.04 euros at 31.05 Euro per megawatt hour (10.53/mmBtu) at 1032 GMT. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was down by 0.14 euros at 30.30 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead price of gas was down 3.75 pence, at 66.75 p/therm. And the front-month contract increased 0.47 pence, to 81.10 pence/therm. LSEG data shows that temperatures in Northwest Europe will be mild for most of the week.
TotalEnergies and Petronas get the green light for exploration in Guyana
TotalEnergies and Petronas are oil producers who have signed an agreement for five years with the Guyana government to explore shallow-water blocks, officials and executives of both companies said on Tuesday. Guyana is struggling to diversify its industry. Its energy sector is currently dominated by an Exxon Mobil-led consortium, which controls all oil and gas production since Guyana became a producer of crude oil in 2019. Block S4, which is located between 50 and 100 km (between 30 and 60 miles) off the coast of Guyana, was the first production…
Occidental Petroleum predicts flat production and lower spending in 2026
Occidental Petroleum, an oil and gas company, said Tuesday that it expects a flat growth in production and lower spending than the current year levels by 2026 as crude prices fall. The U.S. shale oil producers are coping with a global oil crisis, as prices remain in the $60 per barrel range. This is due to OPEC+ production increases and a slowing of global demand. Benchmark Brent crude prices have fallen by about 12.7% this year. Sunil Mathew, Chief Financial officer of Occidental, said in a conference call that the company expects production to remain flat or increase by 2% between 2026 and 2027, mainly due to unconventional Permian activities.