MEOG - Middle East Oil & Gas
Iran-linked oil tankers reportedly evading US blockade
At least 11 vessels carrying Iranian oil and gas have slipped past a US naval blockade imposed on April 13, according to maritime data and shipping sources.
Iraq’s Basra crude falls 2% in line with global oil decline
Iraqi oil prices fell by more than 2%, mirroring a broader decline in global crude markets as investors weighed the outlook for possible US-Iran talks and continued uncertainty over a ceasefire and global supply flows.
US blocks $500mn oil funds transfer to Iraq over Iran-backed militias
The Trump administration has moved to halt the transfer of US dollars to Iraq and suspend parts of its security co-operation with Baghdad.
Iran seeks private sector help to rebuild damaged facilities
Iran’s Oil Ministry has drafted a plan to rebuild energy and petrochemical infrastructure damaged in recent air strikes, enlisting private sector expertise to speed up repairs, a senior official said.
COMMENT: Why China is hedging for now in the Middle East
As the US-Israel-Iran war enters its second month, one of the most consequential geopolitical actors has been conspicuous by its silence. China has not intervened, has not condemned, and has not chosen sides in any meaningful public way.
US seizes second vessel linked to Iran as blockade tightens ahead of talks
The United States said it had seized a tanker suspected of links to Iran, the second such move since Washington imposed a naval blockade earlier this month to mount pressure on Tehran.
Shell CEO meets with Qatar leader to discuss energy partnership
Qatar's Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted Shell CEO Wael Sawan for a meeting at Lusail Palace, with discussions centred on deepening the two parties' existing energy partnership.
Moody’s changes Iraq outlook to negative from stable amid rising regional risks
Baghdad seeks to maintain momentum in strategic oilfield investment. Iraq approved an amicable settlement with Russia’s Lukoil over the transfer of operations at the giant West Qurna 2 field, while Chevron has entered exclusive talks.
Fuel price drop offers Lebanese consumers slight relief
Fuel prices in Lebanon declined on April 21, providing consumers with some relief as the country faces the economic fallout from the Hezbollah war with Israel.
UAE warns it could sell oil in yuan if dollar liquidity crunch hits
The UAE has warned Washington it could switch to yuan or other currencies to settle oil sales in the event of a severe dollar shortage, with reserves at $270bn as Gulf state faces mounting Iran war pressure.
China sends three warships towards Hormuz, Russian media
China has sent three warships towards the Strait of Hormuz after the US seized the Iranian vessel Touska in alleged breach of the ceasefire, with Beijing calling the interception "coercive" as Tehran returned to Islamabad talks on April 21.
Iran crude climbs above $94 as Hormuz disruption slashes tanker traffic
Iranian oil prices surged by more than 4% to $94.04 per barrel, moving close to Brent benchmarks, as tensions in the Persian Gulf choked off transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian navy escorts oil tanker into territorial waters amid US blockade
The Iranian army’s navy said it had escorted an Iranian oil tanker into its territorial waters despite US efforts to intercept it, in the latest test of a maritime blockade imposed by the United States.
Oil price divergence in a time of crisis
TPAO pushes deeper into the Black Sea, testing new gas prospects
Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) is stepping up its Black Sea campaign, shifting the Fatih drillship to the Elfani-1 well in the western basin
Iraq increases LPG allocation as demand surges
Iraq has moved to ease a recent shortage of cooking gas by increasing supplies through mobile vendors and allowing limited sales outside the country’s fuel card system.
Iran warns of rising global costs if its oil sales blocked
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warned of “significant costs for everyone” if Iranian oil exports were disrupted, as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports entered its eighth day.
Iraq resumes oil exports via Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline
Iraq’s North Oil Company (NOC) confirmed that work has been completed to connect all secondary pumping stations linked to the K1 and AT1 facilities in Kirkuk.
Iran vows to keep its oil flowing despite US blockade
Iran will use all available means to maintain oil sales, its foreign ministry spokesman said, playing down a US naval blockade imposed near its waters.
Iran MP plans for strategic management of Strait of Hormuz using the rial
Iran's parliamentary infrastructure commission chief has set out detailed terms for a strategic management plan for the Strait of Hormuz, including an Israeli shipping ban and tolls payable only in rials.
IEA warns Middle East energy disruption could take two years to reverse
The loss of energy output caused by conflict in the Middle East could take about two years to recover, according to International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol, who also warned that markets were underestimating the risks.
Egypt targets output boost from Western Desert drilling projects
The Egyptian government is accelerating efforts to raise domestic oil and gas production, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources expecting to complete drilling of the North Lotus Deep 2 well in the Western Desert before the end of May
Algeria launches new hydrocarbon licensing round
The Algerian government has launched a new international tender for hydrocarbon exploration licences to boost foreign investment and expand its energy output
Egypt plans to repay $600mn in dues for international oil firms by May
The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources plans to repay around $600mn owed to international oil and gas companies operating in the country before the end of May
Iraq suspends Gharraf oil field production after force majeure declaration
Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX) announced that production and export operations at Iraq’s Garraf oil field have been suspended following the government's declaration of force majeure.
Edison warns that QatarEnergy may extend force majeure past mid-June
Italian energy firm Edison is cautioning that QatarEnergy may need to prolong its force majeure on gas deliveries beyond its earlier set timeline of mid-June.
Iran reportedly moved 11mn barrels of oil past US naval blockade
Iran has moved around 11mn barrels of oil out of the area covered by a US naval blockade imposed on April 13, Iranian media reported, saying the measures had failed to halt Tehran’s exports.
Iraq moves to restart oil exports as it seeks stability and revenue
Iraq is restarting oil exports, expanding outlets and advancing gas projects to restore revenues, stabilise supply and reshape its upstream sector amid regional disruption.
Iran hardliners attack Araghchi's Hormuz tweet as 'incomplete and misleading'
Iranian hardline media have criticised Foreign Minister Araghchi for posting an incomplete tweet announcing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it poor communication and demanding tighter messaging control.
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping under ceasefire terms
Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping for the rest of the two-week ceasefire under three conditions, with Trump saying the US naval blockade will remain in force against Iran only.
Istanbul-listed Aygaz to acquire two more LPG vessels from Korea’s Hyundai Samho for $234mn
Turkey’s Aygaz (AYGAZ) has signed a shipbuilding contract with South Korea’s HD Hyundai Samho for the construction of two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transportation vessels, Aygaz said on April 15.
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey wants to see a slew of Gulf and other pipelines converge on its territory to ensure the world will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas.
Bahrain launches eight government tenders, including for oil company Bapco
Bahrain's Tender Board launched eight government tenders, with bids spanning infrastructure redevelopment, specialist education procurement, and media broadcasting rights, as well as national oil company Bapco.
Egypt approves two oil and gas exploration agreements worth $85mn
The Egyptian cabinet has approved two new agreements for oil and gas exploration with a minimum combined investment of $85mn
Survey finds three in four Turks fear war will hurt economy, high anxiety over oil price
A public opinion survey commissioned by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in March found widespread concern among Turks about the potential economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
Saudi Aramco restores full oil capacity after drone strikes on Gulf energy sites
Saudi Aramco (2222) has fully restored oil production and export capacity after drone strikes that cut output by 1.3mn bpd, with pipeline and refinery operations back at pre-attack levels.
Gas crisis protests spread across Iraqi cities as roads are blocked
Protests over Iraq’s gas crisis spread to several cities on April 16, with demonstrators blocking roads and burning tyres in Samawa, the capital of Muthanna province, and Hilla, the capital of Babil province.
China backs US-Iran ceasefire and talks
China's Wang Yi has told Iran's foreign minister Araghchi that Beijing supports the ceasefire and ongoing US-Iran talks, saying a window for peace is opening amid the war.
US says to end temporary sanctions waiver on Iranian crude sales
The United States will not extend a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that allowed purchases, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
Algeria grants BP new exploration licence in Eastern Basin
The Algerian government decided to award British energy major BP a new licence to explore for oil and gas in the country’s eastern basin
Analysts warn US Iran blockade could raise oil prices, hit global economy
Iranian analysts warned that the US naval blockade, designed to fully stop Iranian crude sales, could push up global energy prices and damage economies worldwide.
TotalEnergies eyes gas exploration in Egypt’s Herodotus basin
France’s energy major TotalEnergies has expressed interest in exploring natural gas resources in Egypt’s Herodotus Basin in the deep waters of the western Mediterranean
Iran becomes OPEC’s second-largest producer during war
Iran became OPEC’s second-largest oil producer for the first time in 12 years, the group’s latest data showed, after a sharp drop in output from Persian Gulf producers amid a war waged by the US and Israel on the Islamic Republic.
Syria starts Iraqi fuel oil export loading through Baniyas port
Syria has started loading Iraqi fuel oil on to the tanker ASAHI PRINCESS at Baniyas refinery, in the first export operation of its kind through the port since the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) was established.
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