December 2021

Oil workers’ union FUP announced its intention to approve Petrobras’ latest proposal, paving the way to end a week-long national strike with no impact on production.
Subsea7 has secured a subsea installation contract from LLOG for the Buckskin South project, scheduled for execution between 2026 and 2027, strengthening its position in the Gulf of Mexico and boosting its order book visibility.

Brazil, Guyana and Argentina support global crude oil growth in 2026

Global crude oil production is expected to rise by 0.8 million barrels per day in 2026, with Brazil, Guyana and Argentina contributing 50% of the projected increase.
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Woodbridge Ventures II Inc. signs definitive agreement with Greenflame Resources for a transformative merger, alongside a concurrent financing of up to $10mn.
Interceptions of ships linked to Venezuelan oil are increasing, pushing shipowners to suspend operations as PDVSA struggles to recover from a cyberattack that disrupted its logistical systems.

Harbour Energy acquires LLOG Exploration for $3.2bn to boost reserves

Harbour Energy acquires US offshore operator LLOG for $3.2bn, adding 271 million barrels in reserves and establishing a fifth operational hub in the Gulf of Mexico.
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The Ministry of the Economy forecasts stable regulated tariffs in 2026 and 2027 for 19.75 million households, despite the removal of the Arenh mechanism and the implementation of a new tariff framework.
The federation of the electricity sector proposes a comprehensive plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by replacing their use in transport, industry and housing with locally produced electricity.

Heirs Energies secures $750mn financing to strengthen production capacity

The agreement signed with Afreximbank marks a strategic shift for Heirs Energies, aiming to scale up its exploration and production operations on Nigeria's OML 17 oil block.
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Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan’s appointment as head of Nigeria’s oil regulator marks a strategic shift as the country targets $10bn in upstream investment through regulatory reform and transparent licensing.
Baghdad states that all international companies operating in Kurdistan’s oil fields must transfer their production to state marketer SOMO, under the agreement signed with Erbil in September.

CNOOC launches ninth offshore project in 2025 in the South China Sea

Chinese oil group CNOOC continues its expansion strategy with a new production start-up in the Pearl River Basin, marking its ninth offshore launch in 2025.
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A train carrying over 1,200 tonnes of gasoline produced in Azerbaijan entered Armenia on December 19, marking the first commercial operation since recent conflicts, with concrete implications for regional transit.
Subsea 7 has secured a new extension of its frame agreement with Equinor for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair services through 2027, deploying the Seven Viking vessel on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Iran offers support to Venezuela after oil tankers seized by Washington

Caracas says Iran has offered reinforced cooperation after the interception of two ships carrying Venezuelan crude, amid escalating tensions with the United States.
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US authorities intercepted a second oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, escalating pressure on Caracas amid accusations of trafficking and tensions over sanctioned oil exports.
The new Czech Minister of Industry wants to block the upcoming European emissions trading system, arguing that it harms competitiveness and threatens national industry against global powers.

Czech government prepares CEZ buyout in $9.6bn deal

Several scenarios are under review to regain control of CEZ, a key electricity provider in Czechia, through a transaction estimated at over CZK200bn ($9.6bn), according to the Minister of Industry.
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The government has postponed the release of the new Multiannual Energy Programme to early 2026, delayed by political tensions over the balance between nuclear and renewables.
California Resources Corporation completed an all-stock asset transfer with Berry Corporation, strengthening its oil portfolio in California and adding strategic exposure in the Uinta Basin.
BUTEC has finalised the financing of a 50 MW emergency power project in Burkina Faso, structured under a BOOT contract and backed by Banque Centrale Populaire Group.
BW Energy has signed a long-term lease agreement with Minsheng Financial Leasing for its Maromba B platform, covering $274mn of the project’s CAPEX, with no payments due before first oil.

Shell to resume exploration on Namibia’s PEL 39 with five new wells planned for 2026

Shell will restart offshore exploration on Namibia’s PEL 39 block in April 2026 with a five-well drilling programme targeting previously discovered zones, despite a recent $400mn impairment.
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Mauritania secures Saudi financing to build a key section of the “Hope Line” as part of its national plan to expand electricity transmission infrastructure inland.
RESourceEU introduces direct European Union intervention on critical raw materials via stockpiling, joint purchasing and export restrictions to reduce external dependency and secure strategic industrial chains.

France opens final consultation phase for 2050 low-carbon strategy

The third National Low-Carbon Strategy enters its final consultation phase before its 2026 adoption, defining France’s emissions reduction trajectory through 2050 with sector-specific and industrial targets.
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Iranian authorities intercepted a vessel suspected of fuel smuggling off the coast of the Gulf of Oman, with 18 South Asian crew members on board, according to official sources.
Harbour Energy will acquire Waldorf Energy Partners’ North Sea assets for $170mn, increasing its stakes in the Catcher and Kraken fields, while Capricorn Energy settles part of its claims.

BP and Chevron invest over $110mn in targeted Gulf of Mexico blocks

The Big Beautiful Gulf 1 sale attracted more than $300mn in investments, with a focused strategy led by BP, Chevron and Woodside on high-yield blocks.
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The United States intercepted an oil tanker loaded with Venezuelan crude and imposed new sanctions on maritime entities, increasing pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s regime and its commercial networks in the Caribbean.
OPEC expects crude demand from its members to reach 43 million barrels per day in 2026, nearly matching current OPEC+ output, contrasting with oversupply forecasts from other institutions.

US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela as Caracas denounces an act of aggression

The United States seized a vessel suspected of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, prompting a strong reaction from Nicolás Maduro's government.
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The International Energy Agency lowers its global oil supply forecast for 2026 while slightly raising demand growth expectations amid improved macroeconomic conditions.
South Sudanese authorities have been granted responsibility for securing the strategic Heglig oilfield following an agreement with both warring parties in Sudan.

Germany to raise allowed electricity grid revenues from 2029

Germany will allow a minimum 1.4% increase in grid operator revenues from 2029, while tightening efficiency requirements in a compromise designed to unlock investment without significantly increasing consumer tariffs.
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TotalEnergies acquires a 40% operated interest in the offshore PEL83 license, marking a strategic move in Namibia with the Mopane oil field, while Galp secures stakes in two other promising blocks.
BOURBON will provide maritime services to ExxonMobil Guyana for five years starting in 2026, marking a key step in the logistical development of the Guyanese offshore basin.

Viridien launches seismic reimaging programme over block 22 in Angola

Viridien has launched a 4,300 sq km seismic reimaging programme over Angola’s offshore block 22 to support the country’s upcoming licensing round in the Kwanza Basin.
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Shell restructures its stake in the Caspian pipeline by exiting the joint venture with Rosneft, with Kremlin approval, to comply with sanctions while maintaining access to Kazakh crude.
Shell acquires 60% of Block 2C in the Orange Basin, commits to drilling three wells and paying a $25mn signing bonus to PetroSA, pending regulatory approval in South Africa.