Hungary: US exemption of gas payments from Russia Gazprombank sanctioned
In a video on social media, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto stated that the United States had granted exemptions for gas payments from the sanctions they imposed against Russia's Gazprombank. The U.S. implemented sanctions against Gazprombank in November, creating a barrier for European gas buyers. Gazprombank was used by buyers to pay for their purchases. Hungary, which relies primarily on Russian oil, gas and other energy sources, requested an exemption from the U.S. These countries, including Turkey and Slovakia, are seeking clarifications and alternatives to pay for the U.S.
NW Europe Fuel oil Imports at 3-year High
A rush to replenish scarce supply of high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) pushed Northwest European imports of residual fuel oil to their highest in three years in November, analysts told Reuters.The Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) area, Europe's main trading and refining hub, received around 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of all types of fuel oil in November, the highest monthly volume since November 2021.That compared with an average of 332,000 bpd over January-October this year, according to trade…
Hungary declares that the issue of Russian gas payments has been resolved
Hungary's foreign minister announced on Friday that it had found a way to pay for Russian gas via the Turkstream pipe from Bulgaria, while avoiding the U.S. sanction. He did not provide any details about the agreement. The U.S. On Nov. 21, creating a barrier for European gas buyers. Gazprombank has been used by buyers to pay for their purchases, including a currency conversion scheme to roubles. Turkstream, which runs through Bulgaria from Turkey, is the main pipeline used by Hungary to receive its Russian gas, 7 billion cubic meters so far in this year.
Moldova declares a state of emergency when the risk of Russian gas being cut off looms
The Moldovan parliament voted on Friday morning to declare a state of national emergency lasting 60 days, starting Dec. 16, due to the expected interruption of Russian gas supply on Jan. After Prime Minister Dorin Recean's request for approval, 56 members of the 101-seat chamber approved the measure just after midnight. He said that the vote was to stop "gas blackmail" by Moscow. Declaring an emergency allows the government respond quickly and reduce energy exports. Ukraine has announced that it will not be extending its transit contract with Russian Gas giant Gazprom. The contract expires December 31.
Russia's oil production in 2024 is expected to decline from 518-521 million T
Interfax news agency reported that Deputy Prime minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday that Russia will produce between 518-521 millions metric tons of oil (10.36-10.42million barrels per day). This amount is also expected in 2025. In September, he had predicted a production of 515-521 millions tons. In 2023, Russia produced 529,6 million tons of gas condensate, despite a reduction in supply due to an agreement with other OPEC+ members. Novak said that Russia also expects to increase its natural gas production by 2024-2025, thanks to increased exports to China.
Turkey talks with U.S. and Russia about sanctions waivers on energy imports
Turkish officials said that Turkey was in talks with both the United States of America and Russia to try and secure a waiver from U.S. Sanctions so it could continue paying Gazprombank in order to import Russian natural gas. The United States has imposed new sanctions against Russia's Gazprombank last week as President Joe Biden intensifies his efforts to punish Moscow for its invasion in Ukraine before he leaves the office in January. Turkey imports nearly all of its gas requirements and Russia is its top supplier, providing over 50% of its pipeline imports.
Moldova and Russia hold talks about Transdniestria Gas Supply amid Ukraine Transit Uncertainty
Moldova reported that the energy minister of Moldova met with the head Russian gas giant Gazprom to discuss alternative routes for supplying Russian gas to Transdniestria, Moldova's breakaway region. If transit through Ukraine is stopped, Moldova will look at other options. Ukraine has stated that it will not prolong the gas transit agreement. Transdniestria, a region backed by Russia, relies heavily on Russian gas delivered via Ukraine. After the St Petersburg talks, the Moldovan energy ministry released a statement saying that the two men (energy minister Victor Parlicov…
Gazprom and Moldovan ministers to meet to discuss power supply
The Moldovan energy minister announced on Friday that he will meet with Russian gas giant Gazprom in St. Petersburg, Russia next week to ensure stable power supplies following Russian attacks on the energy systems in Ukraine. Victor Parlicov warned that systematic strikes against Ukraine's electricity grid could cut off the country from a supply which had become reliable. The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on the ex-Soviet Republic Moldova, which is one of Europe's most impoverished countries. Russian drone fragments have repeatedly fallen onto its territory.
US Arrests Turk for Alleged Sanctions Violations
U.S. authorities have arrested a Turkish man who they allege was trying to violate sanctions by transporting oil from Venezuela, the Justice Department said on Monday.The U.S. reimposed sanctions on the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA in June after what it said was the failure of President Nicolas Maduro to return to talks with the political opposition and commit to fair elections.In a statement, the Justice Department said 37-year-old Taskin Torlak had "allegedly conspired to illegally sell Venezuelan oil…
EUROPE GAS - Prices edge up on weaker winds, correction after falling
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday morning due to a weaker wind production. Meanwhile, the Slovak government-owned gas purchaser SPP denied a report that an agreement was nearing to replace Russian gas by Azerbaijan gas. LSEG data show that the benchmark front-month contract at the Dutch TTF hub, which now rolls over to December, was 1,02 euros higher, at 39,67 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), by 1002 GMT. The Q1 contract for 2025 was 0.81 euros higher, at 39.81 Euro/MWh. Other contracts fell, but the British contract for this weekend was 0.75 cents higher at 98.50 cents per therm.
Minister says Turkey regional gas hub will be operational by 2025
The Turkish Energy Minister said that Turkey and Russia are currently in talks to reach a deal for a hub in Istanbul. This hub could start operating in 2025.The Turkish government, which announced its intention to become a hub for gas by increasing imports and exports is currently negotiating deals with both producers and consumers.In an interview published by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet on Friday, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that "we have established a strong infrastructure"…
Climate Investment Funds Board backs $1 billion Turkey grid upgrade project
Climate Investment Funds, a multilateral lender, has announced that it will provide an initial investment of $1 billion to support a plan to upgrade Turkey’s electricity grid to handle more renewable energy. The CIF board approved a $70million investment from its Renewable Energy Integration Investment Platform (REI), with the goal of attracting an additional $790million to expand and upgrade transmission infrastructure, and $330million for technology. The plan developed in conjunction with the…
TerraPower has held informal discussions with Turkey and other countries about small reactors
TerraPower, the Bill Gates backed company that is looking to build small modules reactors for nuclear power, has held informal discussions with several countries in Europe including Turkey. A company spokesperson confirmed this on Thursday. In an earlier report, it was reported that Turkey has been drafting a new law to encourage the construction of SMRs as a complement to plans to build nuclear power plants. TerraPower's spokesperson responded to a question by saying that they had "had informal conversations" with many European countries including some Turkish stakeholders…
Shell sales increase in Q3 vs TotalEnergies due to higher Asian LNG prices
LONDON, October 31 - Analysts and traders say that higher production and sales of liquefied gas in Asia helped Shell to outperform TotalEnergies in the third quarter. However, group profits for both companies were affected by a drop in oil refining. Shell's quarterly profit of $6 billion beat forecasts by 12 percent, while TotalEnergies reported a profit of $4.1 billion that was slightly below expectations. Shell and TotalEnergies both reported quarterly profits that were down 70% and 82%, respectively. Their oil refining businesses and their chemicals businesses also suffered losses.
Gazprom raises its 2024 investment program by 4%, to $16,9 billion
Gazprom, the Russian energy giant, announced on Tuesday that it had increased its investment programme for 2024 by around 4%. The previous program was approved in December and consisted of 1.57 trillion Russian roubles. This has now been raised to 1.64 trillion Russian roubles (16.85 billion dollars). Gazprom reported that both domestic and export gas supplies were increasing, which allowed the company to increase its estimates of sales proceeds this year by 6% over its previous forecast. Gazprom…
Turkey plans to quadruple its wind and solar power capacity by 2035
Alparslan Bayraktar, the Energy Minister of Turkey, said that $108 billion in public and private investments will be needed to quadruple Turkey's wind and solar power generation capacity to 120,000MW by 2035.Bayraktar, speaking at a conference to announce Turkey's roadmap on renewable energy resources, said that the first tender conditions for this year's renewable energy resource area will be announced next Monday.Bayraktar stated that the energy ministry is working to change current regulations…
EU Energy Ministers Discuss Ukraine Energy Crisis and Russian LNG
Officials said that EU energy ministers met on Tuesday in Luxembourg to discuss the rising Russian LNG imports into the EU, Ukraine's energy shortages before winter and how to equalize energy prices among member states. In June, the EU approved a 14th set of sanctions including a ban of transhipments of Russian Gas as of March of next year. However, it did not impose a complete ban. Belgium and the Netherlands saw a dramatic increase in imports since then. In a Monday letter, France and nine…
Document shows EU countries want more transparency about Russian gas imports
In a letter to the European Commission on Monday, a group of EU member states including France and the Baltic States asked for tighter reporting requirements across the EU on Russian LNG imports. In June, the EU approved a 14th set of sanctions that included a prohibition on the trans-shipment of Russian LNG in its ports. Moscow has used European ports for transshipment onto other vessels bound for Asia. Imports of Russian LNG were not banned. Several EU countries continue to receive Russian pipeline gas via Ukraine and Turkey.
Turkish Ship to Start Oil Search Off Somalia This Month
Turkey's Energy Ministry announced on Thursday that a Turkish seismic research ship plans to arrive at the end October off the coasts of Somalia and begin searching for natural gas and oil after the two countries agreed on cooperation in energy. The agreement of March envisaged oil production and exploration, and Turkish Petroleum was granted licenses to operate in three areas within the Somali Seas. The ship Oruc Reis is exploring areas that cover? The ship Oruc Reis will explore areas covering?
Research group: China has invested over $100 billion in cleantech overseas since 2023.
According to the Australian Climate Energy Finance group, Chinese companies have invested more than $100 billion in clean energy projects since 2023. They do this in order to avoid tariffs on imports from the U.S. CEF's research revealed that China was the largest producer and exporter in the world of solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicles. Its investment, innovation, and manufacturing capabilities led the world by "an astonishing margin", the report said. It accounts for 32.5% global electric vehicle exports and 24.1% lithium batteries, and 78.1% solar panels.
