Latest Stories

Brazil unlikely to auction the remainder of the “transfer-of-rights” zone before 2021

6 March 2020

The Brazilian government has said it is unlikely to unload the remainder of its production rights to the Cessão Onerosa (Transfer of Rights, or TOR) oil-bearing zone for at least one more year.

Vista Oil & Gas confirms focus on Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play

6 March 2020

Vista Oil & Gas is still expecting the Vaca Muerta shale play in Argentina to account for the largest share of its production growth this year, despite continued political and economic uncertainty over development of the formation.

Brazil to raise cap on biodiesel content in motor fuel

6 March 2020

Brazil has announced plans to increase the maximum amount of biodiesel blended with petroleum-derived diesel for retail sale to 15% over the next three years.

Guyana’s government launches search for crude marketing agent

6 March 2020

The government of Guyana has launched a search for a company that will market its share of oil from an oil-bearing offshore block that a consortium led by US super-major ExxonMobil brought on stream last December.

Petrobras begins sale process for gas unit, two oilfields

6 March 2020

Brazil’s national oil company (NOC) Petrobras has kicked off the sale process for its 51% holding in the natural gas distribution unit Gaspetro as well as for its stakes in the Merluza and Lagosta oilfields.

Long-term optimism, short-term worries

5 March 2020

In the long term, there is more confidence in LNG demand growth, as illustrated by Royal Dutch Shell’s latest LNG Outlook.

Schneider Electric seals smart grid deal with Egypt

5 March 2020

Schneider Electric has closed a deal with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity to build a new generation of distribution control centres that will use smart technology

China’s solar plans for Uganda

5 March 2020

Uganda cannot let Chinese investment in renewables leave it exposed to unsustainable debt, stranded assets and high tariffs

Standard Bank buys IFC green bond to invest $200mn in renewables

5 March 2020

The IFC has invested $200mn in Standard Bank of South Africa’s green bond, which was placed on the London Stock Exchange on March 2.

NEoT Offgrid Africa to raise $45 for off-grid solar in Côte d’Ivoire

5 March 2020

NEoT Offgrid Africa (NOA) has launched a pioneering receivables securitisation programme that aims to raise up to €40mn ($44.5mn) to finance off-grid solar home systems in West Africa.

Trafigura, Phillips 66 partner on deepwater oil port project

5 March 2020

Commodity trader Trafigura and Phillips 66 announced on February 28 that they had formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop an deepwater port offshore Texas.

Sempra makes LNG progress

5 March 2020

US-based Sempra Energy is making progress at both its existing Cameron LNG export project in Louisiana and its planned Port Arthur facility in Texas.

Albania’s net electricity production plunges 39.1% in 2019

5 March 2020

Albania is almost entirely dependent on hydropower for its electricity, and thus the amount of power produced can vary widely from one season to another depending on the weather.

Minnesota regulators issue draft permits for Line 3 replacement

5 March 2020

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued three draft permits that are required by Canada’s Enbridge to build the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project.