Julie Wasolua

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.
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.

JSW Energy targets $1.19bn capital raise to support its investment cycle through 2030

Indian group JSW Energy launches a combined promoter injection and institutional raise totalling $1.19bn, while appointing a new Chief Financial Officer to support its expansion plan through 2030.
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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.
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.

Washington seizes oil tanker linked to Maduro and tightens sanctions on Caracas

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.
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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.
Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries has entered the Australian energy market with the acquisition of Alinta Energy in a deal valued at AU$6.5bn ($4.3bn), including debt.

Potentia Energy secures $553mn financing to support its Australian portfolio

Potentia Energy has secured $553mn in financing to optimise its operational renewable assets and support the delivery of six new projects totalling over 600 MW of capacity across Australia.
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The United States seized a vessel suspected of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, prompting a strong reaction from Nicolás Maduro's government.
Drax plans to convert its 1,000-acre site in Yorkshire into a data centre by 2027, repurposing former coal infrastructure and existing grid connections.

IEA cuts 2026 oil surplus forecast to 3.84 million barrels per day

The International Energy Agency lowers its global oil supply forecast for 2026 while slightly raising demand growth expectations amid improved macroeconomic conditions.
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EDF has inaugurated a synchronous compensator in Guadeloupe to enhance the stability of an isolated power grid, an unprecedented initiative aiming to reduce dependence on thermal plants and the risk of prolonged outages.
South Sudanese authorities have been granted responsibility for securing the strategic Heglig oilfield following an agreement with both warring parties in Sudan.

NGE and AREC launch an energy network to shape Magna Porta

NGE and the Agence Régionale Énergie Climat Occitanie form a partnership to develop a heating and cooling network designed to support economic activity in the Magna Porta zone, with locally integrated production solutions.
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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.
GEODIS and EDF have signed a strategic partnership to cut emissions from logistics and energy flows, with projects planned in France and abroad.

BOURBON secures 5-year contract with ExxonMobil for Guyana operations

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.
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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.
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.