Middle East

Oil Drops After Hamas Releases U.S. Hostages

Oil prices settled lower on Friday after the Islamist group Hamas released two U.S. hostages from Gaza, leading to hopes the Israeli-Palestinian crisis could de-escalate without engulfing the rest of the Middle East region and disrupting oil supplies.

Global News October 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Editor’s Notebook: ‘Peace Pipeline’ Project Appears Dead

At least for a while over the last couple of decades, the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline was perceived by some as something that would bring at least a measure of harmony to Pakistan’s relationship with Iran. However, once again, the project has been shelved – this time apparently under U.S. pressure.

Oil on Track for Second Week of Gains on Gaza Contagion Fears

Oil prices extended gains on Friday and were on track for a second week of increases on heightened fears that the Israel-Gaza conflict may spread in the Middle East and disrupt supplies from one of the world's top-producing regions.

U.S. Senators Ready Bill to Fund Office Helping Iran Oil Seizures

U.S. senators from both parties are readying legislation to help the federal government enforce oil sanctions on Iran, the office of Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, told Reuters on Thursday.

ADNOC Gas Signs LNG Supply Deal with Japan's JERA

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Gas and Japan's JERA Global Markets signed a two-year LNG agreement valued between $500-700 million, the companies said on Wednesday.

Mitsui Considers Stake in Qatar's North Field LNG Expansion Project

Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co is considering buying a stake in the North Field LNG expansion project in Qatar as a way to ensure a stable supply of LNG, a Mitsui spokesperson said.

Saudi Aramco Eyes Additional LNG Investments for Market Leadership

The chief executive of Saudi Arabia's oil group Aramco, Amin Nasser, said his company is looking at more investments in LNG to boost its plans to become a leading player in the seaborne gas market.

India Wants Saudi Aramco to Develop Strategic Petroleum Reserve as Ties Strengthen

India wants Saudi Arabia's Aramco to participate in its planned 6.5 million metric tons strategic petroleum reserve program as the South Asian nation intends to strengthen ties with its key oil supplier.

QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies Sign 27-Year LNG Supply Agreement

Qatar on Wednesday secured its largest and longest European gas supply deal from Doha's massive production expansion project, providing France with up to 3.5 million metric tons of LNG a year for 27 years.

Oil Falls After Saudi Pledge; Investors Keep Wary Eye on Israel

Oil prices fell over 2% on Wednesday as fears of disruption to supplies due to conflict in the Middle East receded a day after top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia pledged to help stabilize the market.

QatarEnergy, Chevron Phillips Chemical Secure $4.4 Billion for Ras Laffan Petrochemicals Project

(P&GJ) – QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (CPChem) have secured $4.4 billion financing for the Ras Laffan Petrochemicals project, a world-scale integrated polymers complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Chevron Halts Gas Exports via EMG Pipeline from Israel to Egypt

Chevron has halted natural gas exports through a major subsea pipeline between Israel and Egypt and is supplying gas via an alternative pipeline through Jordan, industry and government sources said on Tuesday.

Israel's Port of Ashkelon, Oil Terminal Shut in Wake of Conflict

Israel's port of Ashkelon and its oil terminal have been shut in the wake of the conflict between Israel and Islamist group Hamas, shipping and trade sources said on Monday.

Israel Suspends Chevron's Tamar Gas Field Amid Hamas Attacks

Israel has suspended production at the Tamar gas field off its southern coast and will seek alternative fuel sources to meet its needs, the energy ministry said on Monday following three days of violence in the region.

Explainer: What Is Stopping the Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline Restarting?

A crude oil export pipeline from Iraq to Turkey is ready to resume operations, which have been suspended for the past six months, but flows have yet to restart.

UAE's ADNOC Awards $17 Billion of Contracts for Gas Project, Including Subsea Pipelines

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said on Thursday it had awarded contracts worth about $16.94 billion for a gas project that aims to operate with net zero carbon dioxide emissions, adding it would be the first in the world to do so.

Global News September 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

ADNOC Gas Awards $600 Million Carbon Capture Contract to Petrofac

U.K. oil services firm Petrofac said on Tuesday it got a more than $600 million contract from ADNOC Gas for the Habshan carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, as the Abu Dhabi-based company steps up its decarbonization plan.

Turkey to Resume Operations of Iraq Oil Pipeline This Week

Turkey will restart operations this week on a crude oil pipeline from Iraq that has been suspended for about six months, Turkey's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Monday.

Saudi Aramco to Acquire Stake in EIG's MidOcean Energy for LNG Expansion

Saudi Arabia's oil group Aramco said on Thursday it had agreed to acquire a strategic minority stake in LNG company MidOcean Energy for $500 million, with an option to increase the size of the shareholding.

QatarEnergy, Korea's HHI Sign $3.9 Billion Deal for 17 LNG Carriers

QatarEnergy said on Wednesday it had signed a 14.2 billion riyal ($3.90 billion) deal with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the South Korean firm to supply it with 17 LNG carriers.

Hydro-Rich Tajikistan Plans to Produce 1 Million Tons of Hydrogen by 2040

Hydropower-rich Tajikistan plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2040 for usage at home and exports to neighboring central Asian countries, its Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma told Reuters on Monday.

Russian Oil Producers Send CPC Blend to UAE, Open New Export Route

Russian oil producers supplied their first cargoes of CPC Blend crude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August and September, four traders told Reuters, opening up a new export route as Moscow looks to find new customers and skirt Western sanctions.

U.S. Lawmakers Urge Biden to Revive Kurdistan Pipeline for Economic Relief

A new U.S. approach is needed to facilitate the re-opening of a pipeline between Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and Turkey, a trio of U.S. congressmen urged President Biden in a letter seen by Reuters.

Sources: Disagreements Delay Russian Gas Hub Plans in Turkey

Russia's push to create a "gas hub" in Turkey to replace lost sales to Europe is facing delays because of disagreements over who should be in charge of it, two sources familiar with the project told Reuters.

EIA: Global Oil Stockpiles to Fall After Saudi Output Cut

Global oil inventories were expected to fall in the fourth quarter after Saudi Arabia extended output cuts this month, while U.S. crude production is forecast to rise more than previously thought, the Energy Information Administration said in a monthly report on Tuesday.

UAE's ADNOC to Proceed with Habshan Carbon Capture Project

The carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) project will have the capacity to capture and permanently store 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, ADNOC said in a statement.

Vitol CEO: Bunker Fuel Market to Convert to LNG in Next 10 Years

The global bunker fuel market is expected to convert substantially to LNG over the next 10 years, said Russell Hardy, chief executive of the world's largest independent oil trader, Vitol.

Black & Veatch Expects Floating LNG Capacity to More Than Quadruple by 2030

U.S.-based engineering and construction group Black & Veatch (B&V) said on Monday it expects global floating LNG capacity to increase more than four-fold to 46.4 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) by 2030, as they have become competitive with fixed terminals for smaller fields.