FSUOGM - Former Soviet Union Oil & Gas

Azerbaijan’s SOCAR completes first 3D OBN seismic survey at Gunashli oilfield

Azerbaijan’s SOCAR has completed its first 3D ocean-bottom node seismic survey in the Caspian Sea, targeting the shallow-water section of the mature Gunashli oilfield.

Shareholders in Russia’s Novatek approve RUB35.5 interim dividend

Shareholders in Russia’s Novatek have approved an interim dividend of RUB35.5 ($0.42) per share for the first half of 2026, unchanged from the payout for the same period last year.

Uzbekistan cuts gas exports as fuel imports rise

Uzbekistan’s natural gas export revenues fell 34.8% year on year to $322.3mn in January-August 2026, as declining domestic production increased pressure on the country’s energy balance.

Russia moves to open offshore sector to private oil companies

Russia’s natural resources ministry has proposed opening the country’s continental shelf to a wider group of domestic oil and gas companies, seeking to accelerate development of vast offshore resources.

Kazakhstan’s KMG to deploy digital twins at 12 oilfields by 2028

Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas plans to introduce AI-powered digital twins at 12 oilfields accounting for more than 90% of the group’s production by the end of 2028.

Azerbaijan says refining capacity reaches 600,000 bpd

Russian court jails man for 2023 sabotage at Kuybyshev refinery

A Russian military court has sentenced a Samara resident to 23 years in prison for carrying out a 2023 bombing at Rosneft’s 140,000 barrel-per-day Kuybyshev refinery, highlighting the security threat posed to Russian energy infrastructure.

Tanker owners turn to counter-drone systems as maritime attacks mount

Shipping companies are increasingly installing counter-drone systems on commercial vessels as attacks in the Middle East and Black Sea push security risks — and the cost of operating on exposed routes — to unprecedented levels.

NaftaGaz starts drilling at Gazprom Neft’s Ignyalinskoye field in Russia

NaftaGaz starts drilling at Gazprom Neft’s Ignyalinskoye field in Russia

Russia's budget suffers 17% dip in oil and gas revenues in Jan-Sept

Russia’s oil and gas revenues are falling despite higher crude prices, as lower output, a stronger ruble and record fuel-damper costs erode the fiscal benefit.

Uzbekneftegaz strikes gas condensate in Uzbekistan's Ustyurt region

Uzbek state oil company Uzbekneftegaz has discovered a new gas condensate field at Karatau in Uzbekistan’s Ustyurt region.

Uzbekistan's gas import bill climbs 15% as output slides 16%

Uzbekistan spent $1.21bn on gas imports in January-August, with the figure up 15.2% year-on-year, while its own natural gas production fell 16.3% to 24.2bn cubic metres.

Uzbekistan’s gas output slides 16% y/y as auto production climbs 9% in Jan-Aug

Uzbekistan’s natural gas production fell 16.3% y/y to 24.2bn cubic metres (bcm) in January-August, even as overall industrial production increased 8% to UZS 926.5 trillion ($78.8bn), according to the national statistical committee.

Ukraine says strikes have damaged 51% of Russia's refining capacity

"Damaging 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity is a serious blow to the enemy's economy, its ability to wage aggression, and to supply its forces," Defence Minister Yevhen Khmara said.

Kazakhstan to launch fourth oil refinery by 2033

Kazakhstan plans to bring a fourth major oil refinery into operation by 2033, Daulet Arykbayev, director of the Oil Transportation and Refining Department at the Energy Ministry, has said.

Tajikistan starts taking Iranian oil as Russian fuel supply falters

Tajikistan has begun receiving Iranian oil and fuel as Russian supplies falter, putting Dushanbe in the path of US sanctions on Iran's petroleum trade.

Moldova seeks long-term gas suppliers as prices exceed forecasts

Moldova is seeking long-term natural gas supply contracts ahead of the coming winter as international prices have risen well above the level initially expected by the government, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said at a government meeting.

Motorists abandon cars, march through Ulaanbaatar to protest against fuel shortages

Motorists reportedly abandoned their cars and marched through the centre of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar to protest against the country’s worsening fuel shortages.

Putin puts cost of Ukrainian refinery strikes at 1% of Russian GDP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has estimated that Ukrainian attacks on the country’s oil refineries have cost Russia around 1% of GDP, acknowledging that Kyiv’s campaign has had a measurable economic impact.

Condor seeks $47mn to fund Uzbekistan gas compression and Kazakhstan LNG

Canada’s Condor Energies is seeking to raise up to C$65mn ($47mn) to fund gas infrastructure in Uzbekistan and its first modular LNG plant in Kazakhstan, as the company moves to monetise rising production from its Central Asian operations.

Moldova warns high gas prices threaten winter affordability

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has warned that elevated European gas prices pose a serious financial risk for the country this winter, despite Chisinau having already contracted more than 90% of its seasonal requirements.

Russia’s Gazprom Neft says domestic software has replaced 93% of foreign oil and gas IT

Russia's oil and gas sector has replaced almost 93% of the foreign software covered by its industry import-substitution programme with domestic alternatives.

UK sanctions eight vessels and Novatek trading arm over Russian LNG shipments

The UK has sanctioned eight vessels linked to Russian LNG transportation and Novatek's Singapore-based trading subsidiary, as London steps up restrictions on the shipping network supporting Russian gas exports.

Russia proposes higher fuel price benchmarks for damper subsidy

Russia’s government wants to raise the fuel price benchmarks that decide whether oil companies qualify for the damper, the budget subsidy that keeps petrol and diesel cheaper at home than abroad.

Serbia's EPS, Srbijagas and SOCAR sign shareholders' agreement for 500 MW Nis gas power plant

Serbia's state power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), gas company Srbijagas and Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) have signed a shareholders' agreement to build a combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in the city of Nis.

Azerbaijan advances Absheron gas project to final investment decision, Azeri Light trades above $118

Azerbaijan's $4.2bn Absheron full field development project has moved to the stage of a final investment decision (FID), SOCAR vice president Babek Huseynov has said.

Kazakhstan again urges Ukraine to avoid attacks on Black Sea vessels carrying its exported oil

Kazakhstan has asked Ukraine once again to refrain from drone attacks on vessels carrying its crude oil through the Black Sea, as repeated incidents threaten a key export route for the country’s petroleum industry.

Kazakhstan restarts collection of $5.2bn Kashagan fine

Kazakhstan has reportedly restarted enforcement proceedings to collect a KZT 2.3 trillion ($5.22bn) environmental fine from the consortium operating the Kashagan oilfield.

Kazakhstan's Tokayev, Germany's Merz discuss Ukraine, oil supplies and investment

The leaders of Kazakhstan and Germany discussed the war in Ukraine, energy supplies, critical minerals and economic ties during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Berlin on September 29.

Ukraine strike shuts Ilsky refinery after three key crude units hit

Russia’s Ilsky oil refinery has halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike that damaged three key crude-processing units, adding to pressure on the country’s refining system and domestic fuel supply.

Russia’s Rosneft develops mobile well pad design to cut field construction costs

Russia’s Rosneft has developed a modular mobile well pad design that it says could cut construction times by two to three times and reduce capital costs compared with conventional facilities.

Russia to launch nationwide oil and gas resource reassessment in 2027

Russia’s federal subsoil agency Rosnedra will begin a nationwide reassessment of the country’s oil and gas resources in 2027, with updated estimates expected to be approved in 2029.

St Petersburg exchange plans to expand polymer, synthetic rubber trading

The St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange plans to expand the range of polymers and synthetic rubbers traded on its platform under a cooperation agreement with Russian petrochemicals producer Sibur.

Germany seeks more Kazakh oil despite continued Druzhba suspension

Germany wants to increase imports of Kazakh crude as part of its effort to diversify away from Russian supply.

Russian seaborne crude exports approach 4mn bpd as prices lift cargo values

Russian seaborne crude exports climbed to almost 4mn barrels per day (bpd) in the week to September 27, while higher oil prices pushed the gross value of shipments to its highest weekly level since 2022.

Russia extends diesel export ban for producers through October

Russia has extended its temporary ban on exports of diesel, marine fuel and gasoil by domestic producers through October 31, as Moscow seeks to keep more fuel on the domestic market amid refinery disruption and elevated seasonal demand.

Gazprom Neft and Aeroflot to work together on sustainable aviation fuel for Russia

Russian oil company Gazprom Neft and Aeroflot have agreed to cooperate on the production and use of sustainable and lower-carbon aviation fuels in Russia.

Kazakhstan pushes ahead with recovering environmental fine against Kashagan operator

Kazakhstan has resumed proceedings to recover a KZT2.3 trillion environmental fine from North Caspian Operating Company, operator of the giant Kashagan oilfield, after a court rejected the consortium’s attempt to block enforcement.

Oil flow through Kazakh-Russian CPC pipeline sees 4mn tonne decline this year

Oil exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium fell by around 4mn tonnes year on year between January 1 and September 25, as lower Tengiz production.

Russia's Gazprom extends gas supply deal with Serbia to year-end

Russia’s state gas exporter Gazprom has extended its natural gas supply arrangement with Serbia for another three months, maintaining existing volumes and pricing through the end of December.

Kazakhstan's QazaqGaz spuds well targeting Shalkar gas block

Kazakhstan’s QazaqGaz and private local partner KOR Oil have started drilling the first exploration well at the Shalkar block in the western Aktobe region.

Gazprom sees 3.4% climb in gas output in H1

Russia’s state gas exporter Gazprom increased natural and associated gas production by 3.4% year on year in the first half of this year, supported by colder weather in Russia and stronger pipeline sales, including to China.

Qazaqgaz starts drilling on Shalkar gas block in Kazakhstan

Tehran and Baku revive Caspian energy dialogue

Iran and Azerbaijan discussed ways to expand cooperation in oil and gas and energy trade during a meeting in Tehran between Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

Kazakh oil producers study Trans-Caspian route as oil export alternative

Kazakhstan’s major oil producers are studying an alternative export route that goes via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Turkey as disruptions to the country’s main route through Russia raise concerns over export capacity, says a report.

Kazakhstan expects record jet fuel production in 2026

Kazakhstan expects jet fuel production to reach a record 825,000 tonnes in 2026, exceeding the initial target by 75,000 tonnes and marking a 13% increase from 2025.

Moldova raises regulated gas price again after import costs double

Moldova raises by 30% the regulated price of natural gas for household consumers less than a month after the latest (40%) hike on September 1. The import price is expected to double compared to pre-Middle East War.

Kazakh court rejects NCOC challenge to $5bn Kashagan environmental fine

Kazakhstan’s Specialised Interdistrict Administrative Court of Atyrau Region has dismissed a lawsuit brought by NCOC, operator of Kashagan offshore oil field, which challenged enforcement proceedings to collect an environmental fine of around $5bn.

Baker Hughes Russian unit seeks to block $30mn ICC award to Novatek’s Yamal LNG

Russia’s largest independent gas producer Novatek (NVTK) subsidiary Yamal LNG is seeking enforcement of an almost $30mn international arbitration award against the Russian unit of US oilfield services group Baker Hughes (BKR)