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Bulgaria opens EU’s largest battery energy storage facility
Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov says facility is “first step” towards Bulgaria's ambition of reaching 10,000 MWh of operating battery capacity.
China launches first offshore carbon capture project to support emissions goals
China National Offshore Oil Corporation has commenced operations at the country’s first offshore carbon capture and storage facility, located in the Pearl River Mouth Basin.
Countdown to disaster: timelines to cross temperature thresholds tabulated
The Climate Crisis is accelerating and all the main players predict that the world will warm by more than the 1.5C Paris Agreement target by next year and the 2C maximum will be broached by 2037 – far earlier than previously forecast.
South Africa’s Eskom to build pilot green hydrogen facility in Johannesburg
South Africa’s state-run power utility Eskom has issued at invitation to tender (ITT) for the construction of a pilot renewable green hydrogen facility (RHF) at its Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) unit in Johannesburg.
Sunlight heating effect on earth more than doubles in the last decade
Global warming results from man-made greenhouse gas emissions that have doubled the heating effect from incoming sunlight, which is now more than the heat radiated by earth into space in the last decade, according to a research paper.
Rubio rules out Chevron Venezuela licence extension after conflicting signals
The US administration is set to revoke Chevron's licence to operate in Venezuela on May 27, as initially scheduled, contrary to recent Bloomberg reports that suggested a longer extension was likely.
Enbridge selling $516mn stake in Westcoast pipeline to indigenous groups
Canada’s Enbridge has struck a deal to sell a 12.5% stake in its Westcoast gas pipeline system to Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance, a group representing 36 First Nations in British Columbia, for CAD715mn ($516mn).
China’s Guangdong Pearl River strikes LNG deal with ConocoPhillips
China’s Guangdong Pearl River Investment Management Group has signed a 15-year LNG sale and purchase agreement with ConocoPhillips, with supply thought likely to be coming from the US.
Record temperatures around the world – Statista
A heat wave is sweeping across South Asia, with temperatures having reached 44°C in India’s Jaipur and 50°C in Pakistan’s Shaheed Benazirabad in April, Statista reports.
Tullow restarts drilling in Ghana’s Jubilee Field in major boost for West African oil sector
Tullow Ghana and its partners have restarted drilling operations in the country’s flagship Jubilee Field, signalling renewed investment and confidence in one of West Africa’s most strategic oil assets.
Colombia oil discoveries plunge 56%, growing economy relies overly on government expenditure
Colombia's hydrocarbon exploration activity contracted for the second consecutive year with discoveries plummeting 56% in 2024, raising serious concerns about the nation's energy security and fiscal outlook.
Colombia oil discoveries plunge 56%, growing economy relies overly on government expenditure
Colombia's hydrocarbon exploration activity contracted for the second consecutive year with discoveries plummeting 56% in 2024, raising serious concerns about the nation's energy security and fiscal outlook.
Uzbekistan: Hub for electric vehicles in Central Asia – report
China expanding share of global EV market.
Oil prices increase as Middle East tensions rise
Oil prices increased slightly on May 19 following a breakdown in talks between the US and Iran over Iran’s nuclear programme, with Brent crude futures lying 13 cents higher at $65.54 per barrel.
Heat crisis intensifies as military student dies in Iraq's scorching temperatures
At least one military student has died and eight others were hospitalised after suffering heat stroke due to historically high temperatures in the region.
Iran increases crude storage capacity by 2mn barrels
Iran has added an additional 2mn barrels of crude oil storage capacity to its Kharg Island export terminal, with tanks 25 and 26 being put back into operation after refurbishment on May 17.
Mexico's oil champion Pemex grows isolated amid mounting ecological damage
Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, is facing growing criticism for its significant role in hydrocarbon-related environmental damage and its apparent lack of sufficient response strategies.
Ghana clears bulk of $75mn gas debt to Nigeria amid regional energy tensions
Ghana has reportedly nearly paid off its $75mn debt to Nigeria for gas supplies, settling roughly 90% of arrears owed to N-Gas, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
US poised to extend Chevron's Venezuela operations as detained American veteran freed
The Trump administration is poised to prolong Chevron's authorised operations in Venezuela by an additional 60 days, as Washington continues sensitive talks with Nicolás Maduro’s government regarding American detainees.
Shares of South African helium, LNG producer Renergen surge on news of acquisition offer
Renergen, South Africa’s first integrated producer of liquefied helium and liquefied natural gas (LNG) saw its share price surging by more than 78% on May 20, following an announcement of its potential acquisition by ASP Isotopes.
Rising waters will prompt “catastrophic” mass migration, says study
Even if global heating stays at today's level, the world could be headed for unstoppable sea level rise and mass migration, scientists have warned in a stark new report in the journal Communications Earth and Environment.
US panel's ruling clears path for hefty tariffs on solar imports
As a result of the ITC’s decision, the Department of Commerce will now issue orders enforcing countervailing and anti-dumping duties on those solar products. These tariffs were finalised by the department last month.
HKN and ONEX agree deal for KRG’s Miran field
HKN Energy and ONEX Group have signed a deal with the KRG for the Miran gas field
Trump U-turns on $5bn offshore wind farm off New York in return for gas deal
The Trump administration has reversed its decision and is now allowing oil giant Equinor’s under-construction $5bn Empire Wind 1 project to proceed off New York.
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