FSUOGM - Former Soviet Union Oil & Gas
Western oil producers may face $4bn in fines after losing Kazakh Karachaganak arbitration case
An international consortium developing Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak oilfield has reportedly lost an arbitration case brought by the Kazakh government, a ruling that could leave the partners facing compensation payments of up to $4bn.
Kazakh energy minister dismisses reports of talks on acquisition of Russian Lukoil’s assets in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on January 26 that Kazakhstan’s government is not engaged in discussions with Russia’s Lukoil over the acquisition of the company’s assets in the country, dismissing earlier reports.
Kazakhstan’s oil exports regain capacity after CPC mooring point returns to service and Tengiz resumes production
Kazakhstan’s main oil export route via the Russian Black Sea coast has regained some capacity. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) has been reported as saying that one of its offshore loading facilities has returned to service.
EU ban on Russian-origin fuel to raise logistical costs
An EU ban on importing fuel made from Russian oil outside Russia is forcing tanker operators to rework trading routes and is likely to raise logistics costs by increasing the share of ballast voyages.
Russia sees slight growth in oil production in 2025: Novak
Russia produced 512mn tonnes of oil in 2025, down 0.8% from 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak wrote, describing the sector as stable despite output limits under OPEC+ commitments and sanctions.
Azerbaijan's SOCAR strikes deal to take 10% stake in Ivory Coast project from Eni
Italy’s Eni signed last week a binding agreement to sell a 10% stake in its Baleine offshore project in Ivory Coast to Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR.
France detains oil tanker allegedly part of Russia's shadow fleet
“We will not tolerate any violations,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Uzbekistan reports strong well result at Muynak gas field
The country is pushing to boost reserves and lift daily output targets despite a recent decline in national production.
Preparations underway to restart Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield
Kazakhstan’s Tengizchevroil consortium has begun the initial stage of resuming oil production at the giant Tengiz field after a fire forced a precautionary halt.
Russia pledges to stabilise gas supply to Moldova's breakaway region
Russia is working to stabilise natural gas supplies to Moldova’s breakaway Transdniestria region, but deliveries remain beset by difficulties after Ukraine ended the transit of Russian gas and routes were altered.
Russia's first domestic Arc7 LNG carrier arrives at Arctic LNG-2
The first Russian-built ice-class Arc7 LNG carrier for Novatek’s Arctic LNG-2 project has arrived at the plant after travelling via the Northern Sea Route.
Gazprom reports record daily gas use in Russia amid cold snap
Cold weather drove higher demand across much of the country.
EU Council shores up bloc's plan to phase out Russian gas
The EU on January 26 adopted new rules to phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG, setting out stepped deadlines through 2027 and introducing multi-million-euro penalties for violations.
COMMENT: How Azerbaijan is quietly reshaping Europe’s gas market
The start of Azerbaijani natural gas deliveries to Austria and Germany in January 2026 should not be viewed as a routine expansion of export geography. It reflects a far deeper transformation unfolding within Europe’s energy system.
Kazakhstan’s energy ministry holds talks on energy cooperation with US
Kazakhstan’s energy ministry said on January 23 that it had held discussions on energy cooperation with the US Department of Energy and the US embassy in Astana.
France intercepts Russian shadow fleet tanker
Another Russian shadow fleet tanker intercepted, this time by France in the Mediterranean Sea
Russian oil output down by 0.8% to 512mn tonnes in 2025
Top Russian energy official Alexander Novak estimates Russian oil output at 512mn tonnes in 2025
Naftogaz pitches Black Sea projects worth up to $2bn to Ukraine reconstruction fund
Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz is preparing to develop a major hydrocarbon field on the Black Sea shelf and is offering investment projects worth between $20mn and $2bn to the Ukraine Reconstruction Fund.
Kazakhstan’s energy ministry launches investigation into fire at Tengiz oilfield power unit
Kazakhstan’s energy ministry said on January 22 that a special commission is examining the causes of an incident on January 18 that led to the shutdown of the giant Tengiz oilfield, one of the world’s largest oil producing assets.
SOCAR secures stake in Côte d’Ivoire’s Baleine field and signs monitoring deal at Davos
Israel's 2025 imports of Azerbaijani oil shipped via Turkey reportedly hit three-year high
Israel's imports of Azerbaijani oil, shipped from Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, reportedly hit a three-year high in 2025.
France intercepts Russian oil tanker in Mediterranean suspected of using false flag
France intercepts Russian oil tanker Grinch in Mediterranean Sea suspected of using false flag, redirects vessel to port as President Macron vows to enforce international sanctions on shadow fleet.
Greenland crisis heightens concerns about Europe’s heavy reliance on US energy
In some quarters, the US has met more than 60% of Europe’s demand for LNG.
Operator of Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oilfield declares force majeure on crude deliveries via CPC pipeline
Russia says US yet to free crew from seized tanker in Atlantic
The US has yet to release two Russian sailors detained after American forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic this month, Russia’s foreign minister said
Azerbaijan’s oil and gas investment falls 10.3% y/y as pipeline oil transport declines
Sanctioned Russian Lukoil sells 50% in Mexico’s Block 4 project
Sanctioned Russian oil major Lukoil continues divestment of foreign assets with the sale of Mexican Block 4 oil and gas project
Russia and Iran to hold intergovernmental commission meeting in Tehran in February
Russia and Iran to hold 19th intergovernmental commission meeting in Tehran from February 16-18 as Moscow reaffirms commitment to strategic partnership despite regional challenges.
Uzbekistan places fifth in 2025 piped gas supplies to China, Russia tops ranking followed by Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan supplied around $773mn in piped gas to China in 2025, ranking the country fifth among Beijing's key suppliers, according to TASS, which cited the Chinese General Administration of Customs (GAC).
Oil production at giant Kazakh field Tengiz could be suspended for another seven to 10 days, says report
Oil production at Kazakhstan's giant Tengiz oilfield could reportedly be suspended for another seven to 10 days following the shutdown announced on January 18.
Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield halts output and export after fires break out at facilities
Oil production and exports at Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oilfield, operated by Chevron, have been halted after fires were reported at the field’s power generation and supply facilities.
Ukraine posts record winter gas withdrawals as European gas drawdowns accelerate
Gas withdrawals from Ukraine’s underground storage facilities have hit their highest level this winter, Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom said on its official Telegram channel on January 17.
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