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South Africa’s utility Eskom delivers one full year of uninterrupted power supply
On May 16, South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom marked a full year without crippling power outages, or loadshedding, achieving a milestone not seen since September 2018, eight years earlier.
Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter
Norway overtook Russia as the world’s biggest exporter of gas via pipeline in 2025, reflecting Moscow’s loss of most of its market share in Europe over the past four years.
Baghdad accelerates efforts to revive crude exports
The Iraqi government is intensifying negotiations with international energy companies to restart shuttered oilfields as Baghdad urgently seeks to circumvent the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Over 80 killed in China coal mine gas explosion
More than 80 people have been killed and two remain missing after a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China, officials said, in the country’s deadliest mining disaster since 2009.
Hungary in talks to buy 1bn cubic metres of Romanian Black Sea gas annually
Hungary's new government is expected to decide within weeks on a contract to buy 1bn cubic metres of gas annually from Romania's Neptun Deep Black Sea field, Index has reported, citing informed sources.
US and Iran near 60-day ceasefire extension with gradual Hormuz reopening
US and Iran are close to agreeing a 60-day ceasefire extension including gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Financial Times reports, as Pakistan's army chief leaves Tehran after productive talks.
Egypt’s Agiba Petroleum announces major gas discovery in Western Desert
Egyptian upstream oil and gas operating company Agiba Petroleum has announced a new natural gas discovery in the Western Desert with estimated reserves of 330bn cubic feet of gas, alongside around 10mn barrels of condensates and crude oil
Explosion at MOL’s petrochemical base kills one person
An explosion during a restart operation at a MOL petrochemical plant left one person dead and several seriously injured, in the second major incident at MOL's Hungairan units in less than a year.
Can Chinese investors revive Nigeria’s troubled state-owned refineries?
Nigeria may give Chinese firms long-term operational and ownership stakes in the troubled Port Harcourt and Warri refineries; repeated state-led rehabilitation efforts have failed to restore stable operations.
Tehran Energy Exchange prepares to list first solar power plant project fund
Iran's Energy Exchange is preparing to list the country's first solar power plant project investment fund, with subscription expected to open within a month, the exchange's market development deputy has said.
The geopolitical chokehold on Taiwan's polymer lifeline
For Taiwan, the sudden evaporation of naphtha and crude oil is not just a market fluctuation but a national security threat that will force an involuntary and painful "detoxification" from its plastic addiction.
Kazakh special economic zone court rules in favour of Ukraine over Russia
Ruling in Naftogaz versus Gazprom case sends reassuring signal to potential foreign investors.
NextEra reported to be buying Caliber, setting up shale JV with Quantum
NextEra Energy has reportedly agreed to buy Caliber Resource Partners for $1.3bn from private equity firm Quantum Capital Group and has also set up a joint venture with Quantum to manage its US shale assets.
Russia plans to build nine fast-neutron nuclear power units by 2042
Russia plans to build nine fast-neutron nuclear power units by 2042 as part of its long-term electricity generation strategy, according to Alexander Lokshin, first deputy director-general of the state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
Devon dominates onshore lease sale in Delaware Basin
Devon Energy spent $2.6bn on leases in the New Mexico portion of the Permian Basin’s Delaware sub-basin in a federal onshore lease sale held on May 20.
Egyptian firm Enppi secures $355mn deal for integrated energy project in Oman
Egyptian oil engineering and energy services firm Enppi has secured a $355mn contract to execute the integrated Badour North-East Birba project in Oman on behalf of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)
Panoro Energy targets 20,000 bpd after offshore Equatorial Guinea acquisition expansion
Panoro Energy ASA (OSE:PEN) is on track to increase net production to 20,000 bpd during 2027 following its acquisition of an additional stake in Block G offshore Equatorial Guinea. It also expanded reserves and advanced new offshore Gabon drilling.
Wind and solar overtake coal in Turkey’s power generation for first time - EMBER
Wind and solar energy generated more electricity than coal in Turkey for the first time in April 2026, marking a milestone in the country’s energy transition as strong rainfall also boosted hydroelectric output, according to Ember.
Congo pushes stronger local content and LNG expansion in energy sector talks with AEC
High-level talks between Congo’s minister of hydrocarbons and the African Energy Chamber focused on strengthening local content and advancing gas sector expansion to position the country as a regional gas hub.
Russia irked by US, EU moves to secure Central Asia critical minerals
Kremlin official talks of “attempt to push Russia out and create a Western-controlled infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of our borders".
Egypt reduces foreign oil companies’ dues to $440mn, says petroleum minister
Egypt has reduced outstanding payments owed to foreign oil companies from $6.1bn at the end of June 2024 to $440mn currently, according to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
Putin leaves Beijing with no Power of Siberia pipeline deal
Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on May 20 hoping that the Iran war's disruption to global energy markets would finally give him the leverage to close one of the most consequential energy deals of his presidency. He left empty handed.
Venezuela unveils draft oil rules to guide foreign investment push, economy expands
Venezuela has begun circulating draft regulations linked to its newly approved hydrocarbons law.
Russia oil and gas revenues up 40% in May on Iran war pressures
Russia’s oil and gas revenues are expected to jump 39% year on year in May to about RUB700bn ($9.8bn), buoyed by higher global crude prices driven by the conflict involving Iran, according to Reuters calculations published on May 20.
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