FSUOGM - Former Soviet Union Oil & Gas
FT uncovers $90bn Russian oil network linked to Azeri businessmen and Rosneft
A smuggling network that has moved at least $90bn worth of Russian oil since the imposition of Western sanctions has been uncovered following what the Financial Times described as an IT error linking dozens of entities through a shared mail server.
Iran, Azerbaijan discuss co-operation on Caspian field
Iran and Azerbaijan plan to work together on the development of a hydrocarbon field in the Caspian Sea, signalling a potential thaw over the disputed reservoir.
Turkmenistan says its gas production contracted by 1.4% in 2025 to 76.5 bcm
Turkmenistan’s natural gas production eased by 1.4% y/y to 76.5bn cubic metres (bcm) in 2025, according to official data published by state-controlled newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan.
US and Russia hold reported talks on Nord Stream revival
The United States is continuing negotiations with Russia that could include the possible revival of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under US supervision, in a move that would mark a sharp shift in Washington’s long-standing opposition to the project.
IntelliNews Lambda: Germany slipping into gas crisis, EU will struggle to restock this summer
Europe’s gas market has been pushed back into a vulnerable position after a cold winter drained storage to well below seasonal norms, setting up a difficult test for summer refilling. Germany is already into crisis territory, but coping for now.
Kazakhstan notifies Washington on pre-emptive right to acquire Lukoil assets
Kazakhstan has formally notified Washington that it holds a pre-emptive right to acquire the domestic assets of Russia’s sanctioned oil group Lukoil.
Developers of Kashagan oil field launch arbitration proceedings against Kazakhstan to contest $5bn environmental fine
International oil companies developing Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan field have reportedly launched arbitration proceedings to contest a $5bn environmental penalty over alleged breaches of sulphur storage limits at a processing facility.
Russia executes triple ship-to-ship LNG transfer in Arctic
Transfers from sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 and the unsanctioned Yamal project work to obscure the source of the LNG.
Cuban fuel crisis: a Russian tanker is on route. Will Trump let it through?
A tanker widely believed to be carrying Russian fuel is heading towards Cuba, potentially setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between Moscow and Washington as the island struggles under a de facto US fuel embargo.
EU fails to clinch deal on more Russia sanctions
The EU failed on February 23 to agree a new round of sanctions against Russia after objections from Hungary, with Greece and Malta also opposing elements of the proposed measures linked to maritime enforcement.
Kazakhstan to import 300,000 tpy of Russian jet fuel to cover shortage
Kazakhstan is importing approximately 500,000 tonnes of aviation fuel from Russia to cover a shortage on the domestic market, but plans to eliminate the deficit entirely by 2032.
France releases oil tanker suspected to be part of Russia's shadow fleet
French authorities have released the oil tanker Grinch, which was seized in January on suspicion of links to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and the use of a false flag.
Canada's Condor strikes gas formation in Uzbekistan
Canada’s Condor Energies has discovered a previously unidentified gas-bearing formation at the Kumli gas-condensate field in Uzbekistan.
Russian drilling dips to three-year low in 2025
Russia’s development drilling fell to a three-year low in 2025, reviving questions over whether sanctions, currency strength and weaker profitability could curb oil output growth next year.
BP extends maintenance contract with Turan Drilling off Azerbaijan
BP has extended its contract with Turan Drilling & Engineering for drilling operations and technical maintenance at offshore platforms in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea.
US investor with Trump ties reportedly signed deal on LNG tech with Novatek last year
US investor Gentry Beach, with ties to US President Donald Trump, said he signed an agreement in autumn 2025 with Russia’s Novatek on the joint development of a natural gas project in Alaska.
Georgia's Black Sea Petroleum taps Honeywell for Kulevi oil refinery design
Georgian company Black Sea Petroleum announced last week it had agreed with US industrial group Honeywell International on the design and licensing of oil refining technologies for the country’s first large-scale refinery.
Azerbaijan gas output rises 7.4% in January as oil transport declines, MOL boosts production share
Azerbaijan produced 4.2742 bcm of natural gas in January 2026, up 7.4% year-on-year, according to the State Statistics Committee. Of this volume, 3.382 bcm accounted for marketable gas, which increased 8.7% compared with January 2025.
Shared risks give Iran pause from closing Hormuz
Iran is considering awarding Russia the development of a major shared oilfield, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, as the two countries step up co-operation in the energy sector.
Iran says Russia gas import deal to be signed soon
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said a contract to import pipeline gas from Russia would be signed soon after the dispute over the two outstanding clauses was resolved.
Former Russian Halliburton buys new assets
European Commission clears SOCAR’s acquisition of 99.82% stake in Italy’s Italiana Petroli
The European Commission has approved the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)’s acquisition of a 99.82% stake in Italy’s Italiana Petroli (IP) from API Holding, concluding that the transaction does not raise competition concerns.
Uzbekistan signs several big business deals during Mirziyoyev's Board of Peace trip to US
Gulf Oil says it will invest $150mn in creating network of at least 100 gasoline stations in Central Asian country.
Russian oil drilling down 3.4% in 2025
Russian coal exports to India jump 63% in January
Russian coking coal supplies recover in India and China amid disruptions in Indonesian exports
Canadian minnow Condor Energies discovers previously missed natural gas reservoir at Uzbek legacy field
Canadian minnow Condor Energies (TSX: CDR) has discovered a previously missed natural gas reservoir at a legacy field in Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan to lift annual oil refining capacity to 40mn tonnes by 2033
Kazakhstan has brought forward plans to expand its oil refining industry. It aims to lift annual processing capacity to 40mn tonnes by 2033 — seven years ahead of the previous 2040 target.
China ramps up imports of Russian crude in February
Independent Chineses refineries reportedly ramp up purchases of cheap Russian oil snubbed by India
Naftogaz secures €85mn grant from EBRD to finance gas imports
Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz has signed an €85mn grant agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to finance imports of natural gas, as Kyiv seeks to secure stable supplies during the winter heating season.
Kazakhstan identifies more than 20 promising hydrocarbon sites in Aral Basin
More than 20 promising hydrocarbon sites in the Aral Basin in Kazakhstan have been identified by a state geological exploration programme, according to a reported briefing from Kanat Yerubaev, acting chairman of the Geology Committee.
Italy leads Azerbaijan’s oil exports in January 2026
Azerbaijan’s foreign trade reaches $48.9bn in 2025, surplus narrows to $146mn
Azerbaijan’s legal and natural persons conducted trade operations with partners in 180 countries in 2025, exporting goods to 128 countries and importing from 173 countries.
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