Vice Minister says Saudi Arabia has extracted lithium in oilfield runoffs
Saudi Arabia has successfully recovered lithium from samples of brine from the oilfields of national giant Aramco and plans to launch soon a commercial pilot program for direct extraction, said the Saudi vice-minister for mining affairs on Tuesday. Khalid al-Mudaifer, CEO of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology's Lihytech start-up, said that Saudi mining companies Ma'aden and Aramco will be collaborating with Lithium Infinity to lead the extraction project.
ADNOC Drilling partners with SLB and Patterson-UTI to form a 'unconventional energy venture'
ADNOC Drilling, a division of the state oil company in the United Arab Emirates, announced on Tuesday that it had signed an agreement for Turnwell Industries - a joint venture between oilfield service firms SLB, Patterson-UTI, and ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC Drilling owns 55% of the company, which was created to access unconventional energy resources such as oil and gas requiring advanced extraction techniques. SLB owns 30% of the company, while Patterson-UTI holds 15%.
Oil rises by 1% in a 3-week period as sanctions on Russia and Iran increase
The price of oil rose by about 1% on Friday to a record high for three weeks, as a result of expectations that additional sanctions against Russia and Iran would tighten up supplies. Lower interest rates in Europe or the U.S. may also boost the demand for fuel. . U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which is a blend of oil from Texas and Louisiana, rose by 79 cents or 1.1% at $70.81. Both crudes were heading for their highest closings since November 22. Brent was on track for a gain of 4% and WTI, a gain of 5%.
What OPEC+ oil production cuts are currently in effect?
OPEC+ made further changes at its meeting on Dec. 5, delaying a planned production increase further into the next year, as it faced a weaker outlook for oil demand. Due to weak demand and increased production outside of the group, the oil producer group pushed the start of rising oil output back by three months. The full unwinding will now take place until the end 2026. Here is a short explanation of how the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and its allies have reduced their emissions.
What OPEC+ oil production cuts are currently in effect?
OPEC+ will likely make more changes to its oil policy at its meeting on December 5, delaying a planned production increase further into the next year, as it is facing a weaker outlook for oil demand. In June, the oil producers' group reached a complex agreement to extend production cuts deep into 2025. The agreement has been modified to allow the group to delay a planned production increase by three months to the start of next year. Here is a short…
Sechin, Rosneft's boss, says that targets and costs are a hindrance to the appeal of green energy.
Igor Sechin is a well-known sceptic of green energy and the boss of Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft. He believes that investors are losing interest in clean energy because of elusive targets, high cost and lack of funding. Russia, the world's largest producer of oil, natural gas and coal, as well as China, have set targets to achieve carbon neutrality in 2060. This is 10 years later than other developed countries. The Russian president Vladimir Putin criticised the green movements in Europe for exploiting people's fears over climate change.
Sechin, Rosneft CEO, says that OPEC+ cuts in output made the US the top energy exporter.
Igor Sechin, head of Russia's biggest oil producer Rosneft, said that the OPEC+'s decision to reduce oil production in 2016 and 2020 has helped the U.S. shale sector and made it a major global energy exporter. Sechin said, at a forum held in the United Arab Emirates that Russia and its partners had made the most significant contributions to stabilising the global energy markets in the last 10 years. Sechin, a long-time ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, has expressed scepticism in the past about Russia's collaboration with OPEC.
Russia lifts the ban on exporting gasoline to producers
The Russian government announced on Saturday that it had lifted the temporary ban on gasoline exports from producers. However, the restrictions on other exporters such as independent traders or re-sellers will remain in place until January 31, 2025. The original ban on gasoline exports would expire by the end of the year. The ban excludes supplies of former Soviet states to the Moscow led Eurasian Economic Union, as well as other countries such as Mongolia with whom Russia has intergovernmental agreements for fuel supply.
ADNOC, the state oil company of UAE, has established an international investment arm XRG
ADNOC, the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates, announced on Wednesday that it had launched XRG. This investment firm focuses on low-carbon energy sources and chemicals. It is valued at over $80 billion. When it starts operating in 2025's first quarter, the company will focus initially on "transformational global investments". This is according to a statement from its parent Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. ADNOC made a series of acquisitions, including in the gas and chemical industries.
Al Nowais, according to Italy's Maire, has bought 5% of Nextchem in order to target the Middle East
It was reported by Italy's Maire on Wednesday that Yousef Al Nowais bought a 5% share in Nextchem. This valued the subsidiary of the engineering company at $1.33 billion. Al Nowais is one of the company's shareholders and has owned a stake of 4.73% for more than 10 years. He paid 62.5 millions euros for 5% in Nextchem which provides technology solutions for companies working on energy transition. The move was made to boost Nextchem's service in the Middle East.
Chinese giant CATL expands beyond batteries to power grids and EV platforms
Robin Zeng is the billionaire founder and CEO of CATL. He wants to transform the world's biggest battery manufacturer into a provider of green energy, as well as reduce the costs of developing electric cars, thus upending the economics that have driven the growth of the industry. Zeng said in an interview he expected the business of developing "zero-carbon" electric grids to be "ten times larger" than supplying batteries for electric vehicles, a sector CATL currently leads with 37% share.
Russia is considering limiting metals exports to the West
In response to Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested this week that Moscow limit exports of metals or other commodities in which Russia has a large share on global markets. Putin mentioned uranium and nickel as well as titanium, but suggested that other commodities could be restricted, pointing out that Russia is a major producer for natural gas, diamonds, and gold. Putin said that any restrictions do not have to be immediately implemented and they should not harm Russia.
Norwegian infrastructure fund Aker to launch 1 billion euros in 2025
The head of the Infrastructure unit at Industry Capital Partners, a Norwegian investment fund for energy transition, backed by Aker ASA industrial group, said that it plans to launch a 1 billion euro ($1.08 billion), inaugural fund in 2019. Christian Rynning Toennesen, the head of ICP Infrastructure in Oslo said that they were working on energy projects onshore. He added that the projects were mainly for onshore winds, along with investments in data centers and power grid technologies, and are currently focused in Norway, Sweden.
UAE's Masdar eyes Iberian renewables champion after recent deals
Masdar, the renewable energy company of the United Arab Emirates, will continue to grow its presence on the Iberian Market after signing two deals there in recent months. Masdar has signed its second major renewables deal with Spain in the last two months. It bought Saeta Yield, a Canadian company owned by Brookfield, for $1.4 billion. In July, the company agreed to purchase a small minority stake in an Italian Enel unit called Endesa that controls a 2 gigawatt solar portfolio. We're on the right track to creating our own champion.
Oman's OQEP will offer 25% in IPO, reports state news agency
Oman's OQEP Exploration and Production will offer 25% its total issued capital on September 30, making it the largest initial public offering in the Gulf Region this year. The IPO plans form part of a program by OQ, the state-owned group that controls energy in Oman. This programme is designed to help diversify Oman's economy and reduce its debt. OQEP said that its offering, valued at up to 8.13 billion rials (3.120 billion rials), is expected to raise as much as $2.03 billion when priced at the highest price.
Masdar, a UAE-based company, buys Brookfield Saeta in a $1.4 billion deal
The United Arab Emirates renewable energy company Masdar announced on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with Canada's Brookfields to purchase green energy firm Saeta Yield in a $1.4 billion deal. Masdar will acquire 745 megawatts in Spain and Portugal (mostly wind assets) and 1.6 gigawatts in projects in development. This is one of the biggest deals of this kind in the Iberian Region. It is Masdar’s second major green energy deal to be signed in Spain in the last few months, which is one of Europe’s biggest wind and solar markets.
Putin wants BRICS to play a greater role in the global energy dialogue
On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin called for a greater role for the BRICS group on global energy markets. Russia is looking for ways to counter Western influences. The Energy Week International Forum will be held in Russia this week. It is also expected to host a meeting between the energy ministers of the BRICS countries. In a letter addressed to participants and guests of the forum, Putin stated that it was "obvious" that cooperation in the energy industry would serve to improve the quality of life for people…
Brookfield raises $2.4 Billion for Climate Fund backed by UAE
Brookfield Asset Management announced on Monday that it had raised $2.4 billion to support the Catalytic Transition Fund, which is supported by the United Arab Emirates. The fund aims at scaling up climate finance for emerging markets. CTF was launched last December at the COP28 Climate Talks in Dubai, and was anchored with a commitment of $1 billion from ALTERRA - a $30 billion UAE climate fund. ALTERRA was announced at the climate summit last year and aims to attract $250 Billion in investment by the end the decade.
Russian insurance boosts oil exports to India's top buyer
Data from sources in the shipping and trade industries shows that Russian insurers play a greater role in facilitating oil shipments by Russia to India, which is its largest buyer. This helps to protect Moscow's revenue from exports despite Western sanctions. According to calculations based upon the documents of the vessels, Russian firms insured 60% of Moscow’s oil cargoes bound for India in July. This is up from 40% last December. Moscow can use Russian insurers to sell oil above the $60-per-barrel price cap imposed by the Group of Seven…
Russian insurance boosts oil exports to India's top buyer
Data from sources in the shipping and trade industries shows that Russian insurers play a greater role in facilitating oil shipments by Russia to India, which is its largest buyer. This helps to protect Moscow's revenue through exports despite Western sanctions. According to calculations based upon the documents of the vessels, Russian firms insured 60% of Moscow’s oil cargoes bound for India in July. This is up from 40% last December. By using Russian insurance companies…
