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South Sudan deploys troops to secure Heglig oilfield under SSPDF-claimed three-way deal
South Sudan has deployed troops to the Heglig oilfield under what its military describes as a three-way arrangement with Sudan’s rival factions, aiming to shield critical infrastructure from the country’s escalating civil war.
Eni, ExxonMobil plan $300mn investments in Egypt’s Nour block, Western Zohr concession
Eni is set to begin drilling a second gas well at the Nour offshore concession in the eastern Mediterranean in February, with an estimated investment of $150mn. ExxonMobil to inject $150mn in investments to drill well in the Western Zohr concession
US seizes tanker carrying Venezuelan oil in unprecedented escalation
The US has seized an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude off the country's coast, President Donald Trump announced on December 10, in a move that sent oil prices higher and ratcheted up tensions between Washington and Caracas.
Producers submit $372mn in bids in US Gulf lease sale
The lease sale held in the US Gulf of Mexico this week attracted a total of 219 bids worth a combined $372mn.
Shell reportedly in talks to acquire LLOG in US Gulf expansion
Shell is reported to be in talks to acquire privately held US player LLOG Exploration Offshore
Montenegro adopts key energy and climate reforms to advance EU alignment
Montenegro has adopted two major strategic documents that government officials say are a decisive step forward in aligning the country with EU energy and climate policies.
Egypt approves two major renewable energy projects to boost power grid
The Egyptian cabinet approved a major international partnership to develop a 900 MW wind power project in Ras Shuqair that includes Orascom Construction (OC: EGX), French energy firm Engie (ENGI: EPA), and Japan’s Toyota Tsusho.
Tanzania-US talks advance $42bn LNG, $942mn nickel and $300mn graphite cooperation deals
Tanzania has advanced negotiations with the US on its largest energy and minerals projects, including the $42bn LNG development led by Equinor and Shell.
Senegal approves payment into African Energy Bank as APPO targets $120bn capital build-out
Senegal will pay its AEB contribution in December, strengthening African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and Afreximbank’s $5bn capitalisation drive for the lender, which targets a $120bn scale-up to finance hydrocarbons & renewable projects
Aramco to launch Jafurah condensate exports in February
Saudi Aramco is set to commercialise the first liquid flows from its strategic Jafurah unconventional gas basin in February
Vucic says Russia has 37 days to sell NIS stake or Serbia will act
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has set out three possible outcomes for resolving the future of oil company NIS, which has been hit by US sanctions and unable to import crude for two months.
Russian gasoline prices now 8% pricier than US
Russian gasoline becomes 8% more expensive than US fuel as Moscow takes 60% of pump prices in taxes and levies.
Putin authorises sales involving Rosneft-Shell JV in Caspian Pipeline Consortium
Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorised potential transactions involving the joint Rosneft–Shell stake in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Israel reaches $35bn gas export deal with Egypt
Israel's Leviathan partners reach $35bn gas export deal with Egypt as Netanyahu rushes approval before Trump meeting, with senior US officials involved in resolving impasse over agreement.
Libya seeks bigger role in supplying gas to Europe, says minister
Libya’s strategic position between Africa and Europe, he noted, places it in a strong position to become a regional hub for collecting and exporting African gas to the EU, said the Libyan oil minister. It's looking for a bigger supply role.
Morocco’s government plans to launch two deep-water ports
Egypt brings new gas well online with 10mn cubic feet/day output
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that it is currently finalising procedures to bring a new natural gas well into production, with an expected output of around 10mn cubic feet per day
Western majors lobbying Ukraine to stop attacks on CPC oil export route, says analyst
Kazakhstan agrees new deal to pipe crude to China in response to drone raid that damaged Black Sea shipment terminal.
Ukraine's Black Sea attacks may prove counter-productive
Ukraine’s extension of the conflict into the wider region risks fuelling tensions with its neighbours.
US sanctions on Russian-owned NIS shake Serbia’s FX market
Serbia’s central bank sought to calm markets on December 8 after a rush by citizens to buy euros caused temporary shortages at some exchange offices and pushed the dinar to its weakest level this year.
China–Africa trade set to exceed $200bn in 2025 as regional bodies deepen trade links amid US tariffs
Chinese exports to Africa are projected to surpass $200bn in 2025, down from last year’s record but still driven by strong demand, shifting global tariff incentives and the expiry of Washington's AGOA preferences.
Standard Chartered and World Bank close $200mn clean cooking bond to 415,000 cookstoves in Ghana
Egypt plans to launch $5.4bn LNG tender for 2026 supply
The Egyptian government is preparing to launch a global tender in March 2026 to import around 100 shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) throughout the year, with an initial estimated value of $5.4bn.
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