December 2021

A report by Rhodium Group anticipates stagnation in US emissions, a result of the political shift favouring fossil fuels since Donald Trump returned to office.
Increased output from Opec+ and non-member producers is expected to create a global oil surplus as early as 2025, putting pressure on crude prices, according to the International Energy Agency.

Petrobras takes 27.5% stake in Block 4 offshore São Tomé with Shell and Galp

The Brazilian company expands its African footprint with a new offshore exploration stake, partnering with Shell and Galp to develop São Tomé and Príncipe’s Block 4.
en_114015092069540
A drone attack on a Bachneft oil facility in Ufa sparked a fire with no casualties, temporarily disrupting activity at one of Russia’s largest refineries.
The divide between the United States and the European Union over regulations on Russian oil exports to India is causing a drop in scheduled deliveries, as negotiation margins tighten between buyers and sellers.

US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels

Against market expectations, US commercial crude reserves surged due to a sharp drop in exports, only slightly affecting international prices.
en_1140100926540
Russia plans to ship 2.1 million barrels per day from its western ports in September, revising exports upward amid lower domestic demand following drone attacks on key refineries.
A sudden fault on the national grid cut electricity supply to several regions of Nigeria, reigniting concerns about the stability of the transmission system.

QatarEnergy secures offshore exploration licence in Congo

QatarEnergy obtained a 35% stake in the Nzombo block, located in deep waters off Congo, under a production sharing contract signed with the Congolese government.
en_1140909264540
Phillips 66 acquires Cenovus Energy’s remaining 50% in WRB Refining, strengthening its US market position with two major sites totalling 495,000 barrels per day.
Nigeria’s two main oil unions have halted loadings at the Dangote refinery, contesting the rollout of a private logistics fleet that could reshape the sector’s balance.

ReconAfrica secures offshore block in Gabon with production sharing contract

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. enters Gabonese offshore with a strategic contract on the Ngulu block, expanding its portfolio with immediate production potential and long-term development opportunities.
en_1140909258540
BW Energy has finalised a $365mn financing for the conversion of the Maromba FPSO offshore Brazil and signed a short-term lease for a drilling rig with Minsheng Financial Leasing.
Vantage Drilling has finalised a major commercial agreement for the deployment of the Platinum Explorer, with a 260-day offshore mission starting in Q1 2026.

Permex signs agreement for potential $25mn funding with Chisos

Permex Petroleum has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chisos Ltd. for potential funding of up to $25mn to develop its oil assets in the Permian Basin.
en_114080920268540
Re-elected president Irfaan Ali announces stricter production-sharing agreements to increase national economic returns.
OPEC+ begins a new phase of gradual production increases, starting to lift 1.65 million barrels/day of voluntary cuts after the early conclusion of a 2.2 million barrels/day phaseout.

Imperial Petroleum invests in seven vessels despite a 22.8% drop in revenue

Imperial Petroleum expanded its fleet to 19 vessels in the second quarter of 2025, while reporting a decline in revenue due to lower rates in the maritime oil market.
en_114070920269540
Eight OPEC+ members will meet to adjust their quotas as forecasts point to a global surplus of 3 million barrels per day by year-end.
Greek shipping companies are gradually withdrawing from transporting Russian crude as the European Union tightens compliance conditions on price caps.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa continues drilling its Kavango West 1X exploration well with plans to enter the Otavi reservoir in October and reach total depth by the end of November.
TotalEnergies has signed a production sharing agreement with South Atlantic Petroleum for two offshore exploration permits in Nigeria, covering a 2,000 square kilometre area with significant geological potential.

French energy regulator corrects ten public claims on costs and production

In France, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie issues a clarification on ten statements shared over the summer, correcting several figures regarding tariffs, production and investments in the electricity sector.
en_11402092028540
Nigeria’s Dangote refinery shipped 300,000 barrels of gasoline to the United States in late August, opening a new commercial route for its fuel exports.
A group of 85 researchers challenges the scientific validity of the climate report released by the US Department of Energy, citing partial methods and the absence of independent peer review.

Aramco and SOMO suspend crude supplies to India’s Nayara Energy

Saudi and Iraqi exporters halted supplies to Nayara Energy, forcing the Rosneft-controlled Indian refiner to rely solely on Russian crude in August.
en_11401092028540
BW Offshore has been chosen by Equinor to supply the FPSO unit for Canada’s Bay du Nord project, marking a key milestone in the advancement of this deepwater oil development.
Heirs Energies doubled production at the OML 17 block in one hundred days and aims to reach 100,000 barrels per day, reinforcing its investment strategy in Nigeria’s mature oil assets.

Five new projects obtain CB RES status and join the Commission list

Five energy infrastructure projects have been added to the list of cross-border renewable projects, making them eligible for financial support under the CEF Energy programme.
en_11401092046540
The Tanzanian government launches a national consultation to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas, mobilising public and private financing to secure energy supply and lower fuel costs.
Budapest plans to complete a new oil link with Belgrade by 2027, despite risks of dependency on Russian flows amid ongoing strikes on infrastructure.

TotalEnergies secures 1,000 km² offshore exploration permit in Congo

TotalEnergies and its partners have received a new oil exploration permit off Pointe-Noire, strengthening their presence in Congolese waters and their strategy of optimising existing infrastructure.
en_11401092041540
The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
Nigeria’s state-owned oil company abandons plans to sell the Port Harcourt refinery and confirms a maintenance programme despite high operating costs.

India defends Russian oil purchases amid Western criticism

India’s oil minister says Russian crude imports comply with international norms, as the United States and European Union impose new sanctions.
en_11401092043540
Strathcona Resources plans to acquire an additional 5% of MEG Energy’s shares and confirms its opposition to the company’s sale to Cenovus Energy.
The publication of the Multiannual Energy Programme decree, awaited for two years, is compromised by internal political tensions, jeopardising strategic investments in nuclear and renewables.

Sudan warns of Heglig evacuation after new drone strikes

Two drone strikes hit Heglig in August, disrupting the strategic Nile Blend export hub and increasing the vulnerability of Sudanese and South Sudanese oil flows.
en_1140310839540
China’s oil production has surged since 2019, driven by national companies and government support, while import dependency remains high.
The US Energy Information Administration reschedules or cancels several publications, affecting the availability of critical data for oil, gas and renewables markets.