Central & South America

Venezuela's Oil Exports Remain Almost Unchanged, Middlemen Seek Deals

Venezuela's oil exports remained almost unchanged in November at 651,000 barrels per day (bpd) even as an easing of U.S. sanctions is now allowing sales to trading houses, according to shipping and tanker tracking data.

Guyana Moving Toward New Offshore Gas Pipeline in Liza Offshore Fields

(P&GJ) — With the Gas To Energy project, the government of Guyana will — for the first time — produce energy using the associated natural gas produced in the Liza offshore fields of the Stabroek Block.

Trinidad's Atlantic LNG Restructuring to Shrink Shell's Stake, Boost BP's

Shell's ownership in Trinidad and Tobago's Atlantic LNG facility will shrink, while BP and Trinidad's state-owned National Gas Co. will increase their stakes in a restructuring agreement to be signed this week, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Petroecuador Exceeds 400,000 bpd Crude Oil Output; Addresses Oil Spill in Shushufindi River

Ecuador's state oil company Petroecuador said Sunday that crude oil output surpassed 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the first time since January 2021.

Global News December 2023

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Sierra Madre Natural Gas Pipeline Project Reaches Milestone with EPC Contract Award

The 500-mile Sierra Madre pipeline will be the primary natural gas supply path to transport up to 2.8 Bcf/d from the U.S. border to the first phase of Mexico Pacific's 15 million tonne per annum Saguaro Energia LNG export facility in Puerto Libertad, Sonora, Mexico.

Danish Fund to Invest $10 billion in Mexican Green Hydrogen Development Hub

One of Mexican President Lopez Obrador's key infrastructure projects is the development of an industrial corridor connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in Mexico's poorer south.

Brazil Midstream Hopes for $20 Billion Infusion by 2028

(P&GJ) – The Brazil gas and pipelines sector hopes to attract about $20 billion in investments for its development by 2028, thanks to de-monopolization of the industry and the adoption of new legislation, according to recent statements, made by leading market participants and state analysts.

Venezuela Producing 850,000 bpd of Oil, Hopes to Recover Market Share in U.S.

Venezuela is currently producing some 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and hopes to soon reach 1 million bpd, the country's deputy oil minister, Erick Perez, said on Wednesday, following the temporary lifting of U.S. sanctions on the nation.

Ecopetrol Considers Gas Imports from Venezuela's PDVSA for December 2024

Colombia's majority state-owned oil company Ecopetrol is exploring an offer from Venezuela's PDVSA to supply the Andean country with gas from December 2024, it said on Tuesday.

Venezuela Close to Approving Offshore Gas License with Trinidad, Shell

Venezuela is close to approving a license for Shell and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago to develop a promising offshore natural gas field and export its production to the Caribbean country, two people close to the matter said.

Global News November 2023

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Big Traders Strike Deals with Middlemen to Tap Venezuela's Free-Flowing Oil

A broad easing of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry has forged marriages of convenience between global commodities traders and little-known middlemen that dominated its exports during the period of restrictions.

Maurel & Prom Signs Pact to Expand Venezuela Oil, Gas Development

Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA and French energy company Maurel & Prom have signed an agreement aimed at expanding operations and increasing crude and gas output at their joint venture in Venezuela's western region, the companies said.

New Fortress to Charter FSRU for LNG Import Terminal in Brazil

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer New Fortress Energy said on Monday it has signed a deal to charter a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) from Brazil's Petrobras starting in December.

A Tale of Setbacks as Venezuela's Citgo Heads to U.S. Auction

For the past four years, the United States protected oil refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors seeking to seize Venezuela's foreign crown jewel for billions of dollars in claims. But on Monday, a U.S. judge will kick off an auction expected to place the Houston-based company in the hands of rivals or investors.

Trafigura Seeks to Charter Tanker for Exporting Venezuelan Fuel Oil

Global commodities trader Trafigura is seeking to charter at least one large tanker to export Venezuelan fuel oil, according to two people with knowledge of the deal, a move that follows this week's easing of U.S. sanctions on the OPEC country's energy industry.

Global News October 2023

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U.S. Broadly Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions After Election Deal

The Biden administration on Wednesday broadly eased sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector in response to a deal reached between the government and opposition parties for the 2024 election - the most extensive rollback of Trump-era restrictions on Caracas.

Venezuela May Redirect Oil Exports Away from China as U.S. Eases Sanctions

Exemptions to sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports that the U.S. is mulling should not result in a large crude production surge in the OPEC country, instead taking barrels away from its current main destination China, experts said.

Petrobras, Excelerate Energy Extend 10-Year Charter for FSRU Sequoia in Brazil

(P&GJ) — Under the agreement, Excelerate will continue to deploy the Sequoia to provide regasification services in Brazil, primarily at the Bahia Regasification Terminal (TR-BA) in Salvador, Bahia.

Brazil's Ocyan to Renovate Petrobras Gas Pipeline for $317.5 Million

Brazilian oil and gas services provider Ocyan has won a contract with state-run oil firm Petrobras to revitalize a network of gas pipelines in the offshore Campos Basin for $317.49 million, Reuters reported on Monday.

Eagle LNG Delivers First LNG Carrier for Caribbean Basin Service

(P&GJ) — Eagle LNG Partners LLC has announced the successful delivery of its first LNG carrier, the Coral Favia, from Anthony Veder. The 10,000 cubic meter LNG supply vessel is the first of a planned fleet from Eagle LNG offering LNG supply and bunker services for the Caribbean basin.

Trinidad to Sign Atlantic LNG Restructuring Deal, Boosting Gas Processing

The deal is expected to simplify the ownership structure of the Atlantic LNG project, with Shell and BP soon to hold 45% each and Trinidad's state-run National Gas Company (NGC) holding the remaining 10%.

Global News September 2023

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Shell and Trinidad's National Gas Company Sign New Supply Agreement

Shell Plc on Friday signed an agreement to supply Trinidad and Tobago's National Gas Company (NGC) with natural gas through 2036, including from the yet-to-be developed Manatee offshore field, according to the state gas company.

Peru Pipeline Workers Unearth Ancient Children's Cemetery

Peruvian workers unearthed eight bundles of funeral belongings believed to be around 1,000 years old while installing a gas pipeline in capital Lima, archaeologists said on Friday, saying the site likely marked a children's cemetery.

TotalEnergies to Start Gas Production at Argentina's Fenix Field in 2024

France's TotalEnergies will start drilling at the Fenix field off the southern Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego in March 2024, and expects to start production the following November, Vice President Catherine Remy said.

Venezuela's Maduro Seeks to Renew Beijing Ties Amid China-West Tensions

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro arrived in China on Friday, his first visit in five years, to renew engagement between the two countries as China's ties sour with the West and the South American country seeks fresh financing.

Brazil's Petrobras Signs Agreements with Compagas for Natural Gas Supply

Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras has signed contracts for the supply of natural gas with gas company Compagas for around $1.28 billion, Compagas told Reuters on Tuesday.