LatAmOil - Latin America Oil & Gas
China urges US to refrain from interfering in Venezuela amid new tariff threats
Beijing has urged Washington to halt its interference in Venezuela’s domestic affairs following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on nations purchasing oil from the South American country, EFE reported.
Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Venezuelan oil and gas buyers, extends Chevron licence
US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 25 per cent tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, escalating his administration's economic pressure on the South American country and its international trading partners.
US tariffs on Venezuelan oil put China and India in the spotlight
Washington’s move to impose 25% secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Venezuelan oil and gas has drawn sharp reactions, particularly from China, the top buyer of the South American country’s crude
Oil prices mixed as US tariffs on Venezuelan crude counter Russia-Ukraine truce
Oil prices saw a mixed session on Tuesday, March 25, as a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine in the maritime and energy sectors balanced concerns over tightening global supplies
Marco Rubio to tour Caribbean nations as US seeks to curb Venezuelan oil influence
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname this week as Washington intensifies efforts to reduce regional reliance on Venezuelan energy
Brazil’s gas market forum backs study on infrastructure costs
The Forum of Business Associations for the Development of the Natural Gas Market (Fórum do Gás) has endorsed a study by Brazil’s Energy Research Company (EPE) on costs related to natural gas transportation and processing.
Chevron’s Venezuela payments expose secret Biden-era sanctions loophole
The Biden administration discreetly allowed Chevron Corp. to send hundreds of millions of dollars to Venezuela’s government, despite a US licence explicitly banning such payments, according to people familiar with the matter
US extends Chevron’s Venezuela exit deadline as Trump signals tougher sanctions
The United States has granted Chevron additional time to wind down its operations in Venezuela, extending the deadline until May 27, according to a statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
US court recommends Red Tree’s $3.7bn bid as Citgo auction baseline
A federal court official in Delaware has advised Judge Leonard Stark to set Red Tree Investments’ $3.7bn bid as the starting point for the next round of the Citgo Petroleum share auction
Touchstone Exploration reports strong 2024 financial performance as Trinidad and Tobago operations hold strong
Touchstone Exploration has reported a strong financial turnaround for 2024, posting record production figures and returning to profitability in its operations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Brazil’s Petrobras discovers hydrocarbons in Campos Basin pre-salt well
Petrobras has identified hydrocarbon deposits in an exploratory well in the Campos Basin pre-salt region.
Navitas mulls FID for $1.4bn oil project in Falkland Islands
Navitas continues to advance its massive Sea Lion oil project in the North Falkland Basin despite delaying the final investment decision to 2025, Offshore Energy reported.
Argentina's YPF to establish Vaca Muerta training institute amid major CGC deal
YPF President Horacio Marín has announced plans to establish a dedicated “Vaca Muerta Institute” in Neuquén, aimed at training thousands of workers for Argentina's expanding shale industry.
Brazil’s Petrobras staff approve 24-hour strike on 26 March
Employees at Brazil’s national oil company Petrobras have backed a 24-hour warning strike set for March 26 in a dispute over home working arrangements and other labour demands, the Unified Federation of Oil Workers said.
OPEC+ announces new cuts to balance out higher output
OPEC+ has unveiled a fresh strategy to enforce additional production cuts, aimed at counterbalancing an uptick in output among its member nations.
Mexican billionaire doubles down on Pemex bet with natural gas business
Latin America's richest man Carlos Slim is negotiating with the Mexican government, which is expanding private sector participation, to explore new energy projects.
Brazil faces oil debate ahead of COP30
Brazil’s plan to explore oil in the Amazon River mouth basin is drawing debate over environmental risks and economic benefits ahead of COP30, the UN climate summit set to be held in the country later this year.
Brazil criticises Western nations ahead of Brics energy talks
Brazil’s Energy Minister, Alexandre Silveira, criticised Western nations, including France, stating that developed countries have “no interest” in supporting the industrialisation of developing nations.
Trump threatens 25% tariffs on Venezuelan oil buyers, extends Chevron licence
US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 25 per cent tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, escalating his administration's economic pressure on the South American country and its international trading partners.
ExxonMobil Guyana awards New Wave Offshore Energy major contract for Whiptail project
ExxonMobil Guyana has awarded New Wave Offshore Energy a contract to provide marine warranty survey services for its $12.7bn Whiptail development.
Brazil’s Brava Energia signs oil sales agreement with Shell for Brazilian offshore field
Brava Energia has reached an agreement with Shell Western Supply and Trading for the sale of oil from the Atlanta field off Brazil's coast.
Shell approves investment in Brazil's Gato do Mato pre-salt project
Shell Brasil has taken the final investment decision for the Gato do Mato deep-water project in the pre-salt region of Brazil's Santos Basin
Baker Hughes lands multi-year deal with Brazil’s Petrobras for offshore completion systems
Energy engineering services provider Baker Hughes has secured a multi-year agreement with Brazil’s national oil company Petrobras to deliver integrated completions systems for deepwater offshore oil fields.
Trump considers Chevron's request to extend licence for Venezuelan operations
The decision follows discussions between the oil giant and senior US officials, with Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth arguing that an abrupt exit could create a vacuum that might be exploited by China or other foreign entities.
Colombia's Ecopetrol under scrutiny over alleged concealment of environmental damage
Colombia's leading oil company, Ecopetrol, is facing allegations of concealing environmental damages.
Colombian oil pipelines halt operations following explosive attacks
On March 20 2025, two oil pipelines in northeastern Colombia were compelled to cease operations due to explosive attacks.
Brazil plans higher ethanol blend in petrol
Brazil’s government will propose increasing the ethanol blend in petrol from 27% to 30%, according to Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira.
Chevron presses Trump for Venezuela oil licence reprieve
Chevron is mounting a last-ditch effort to salvage its Venezuelan operations by engaging in intense lobbying at the highest levels of the US government.
Guyana's oil resources expected to boost regional energy security
Guyana's substantial oil resources could play a pivotal role in achieving regional energy security and enhancing CARICOM's global bargaining position, according to Dr Vernon Paltoo, President of the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago.
Petroecuador declares force majeure following major oil spill
Ecuador's national oil company, Petroecuador, has declared force majeure on its SOTE pipeline operations following a devastating landslide that ruptured the infrastructure and caused a significant oil spill.
Peruvian oil sector faces crisis amid government interference and Petroperú's operational struggles
The Peruvian hydrocarbon sector is facing increasing uncertainty as recent government actions raise concerns over political interference, regulatory instability and the financial viability of state-owned Petroperú.
Venezuela faces Chevron’s imminent exit amid declining oil production
Chevron faces an abrupt departure from Venezuela after the US Treasury revoked its special licence, a move analysts say could significantly impact on the Latin American country's already fragile economy.
Venezuela’s Maduro escalates attacks on Exxon
Venezuela’s government continues to target Exxon Mobil, accusing the US energy giant of fuelling diplomatic tensions with Guyana over the disputed Essequibo region.
Global interest in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play remains mixed
Petronas may be exiting Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale play, with the Malaysian national oil company launching a process to sell its 50% stake in the La Amarga Chica joint venture with the Latin American country’s state oil company YPF.
Pemex reinvention adopts austerity under Sheinbaum's state-led approach
Mexico's state oil company Pemex is reinforcing its public sector role under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration as she dismantles the 2013 energy reform and prioritises state control of the energy sector
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