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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The United States seized a vessel suspected of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, prompting a strong reaction from Nicolás Maduro's government.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Malgré la pression exercée sur le gouvernement vénézuélien, Washington ne cherche pas à exclure Caracas de l’OPEP, misant sur une influence indirecte au sein du cartel pour défendre ses intérêts énergétiques.
Kazakhstan redirects part of its oil production to China following the drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, without a full export halt.
