Paul Messad

Kogi State Electricity Distribution Limited reported a ₦1.3bn ($882,011) loss due to power fraud, threatening its operational viability in Kogi State.
More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.

Washington targets Iranian oil with new sanctions on phantom fleet

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 50 entities linked to Iranian oil exports, targeting Chinese refineries and vessels registered in Asia and Africa.
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Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
Khartoum et Juba annoncent un mécanisme commun pour protéger les oléoducs transfrontaliers, sans clarifier le rôle des forces armées non étatiques qui contrôlent une partie des installations.

Namibia and McDermott join forces to train future oil workforce

The Namibian government signed an agreement with McDermott to strengthen local skills in offshore engineering and operations, aiming to increase oil sector local content to 15% by 2030.
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Nigeria deploys a 2.2 million-barrel floating storage unit funded by public investment, strengthening sovereignty over oil exports and reducing losses from theft and infrastructure failures.
Despite open statements of dialogue, the federal government maintains an ambiguous regulatory framework that hinders interprovincial oil projects, leaving the industry in doubt.

Sintana Energy acquires Challenger Energy to strengthen offshore assets in Africa

Canada’s Sintana Energy acquires Challenger Energy in a $61mn all-share deal, targeting offshore exploration in Namibia and Uruguay. The move highlights growing consolidation among independent oil exploration firms.
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The 120,000-barrel-per-day catalytic cracking unit at the Beaumont site resumed operations after an unexpected shutdown caused by a technical incident earlier in the week.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.

Electricity access stalls with 730 million people still unconnected in 2024

Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
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An agreement was reached between Khartoum and Juba to protect key oil installations, as ongoing armed conflict continues to threaten crude flows vital to both economies.
Alnaft has signed two study agreements with Omani firm Petrogas E&P on the Touggourt and Berkine basins, aiming to update hydrocarbon potential in key oil-producing areas.

Chinese refineries cut Iranian crude purchases by 46% in September

Import quotas exhaustion and falling demand push Chinese independent refineries to sharply reduce Iranian crude volumes, affecting supply levels and putting downward pressure on prices.
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Serbian oil company NIS, partially owned by Gazprom, faces newly enforced US sanctions after a nine-month reprieve, testing the country's fuel supply chain.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.

Chevron appoints former TotalEnergies executive to lead African exploration

US-based Chevron appoints Kevin McLachlan, a veteran of TotalEnergies, as its global head of exploration, in a strategic move targeting Nigeria, Angola and Namibia.
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Lycos Energy finalises the sale of its Alberta assets for $60mn, planning an immediate $47.9mn cash distribution to shareholders and the launch of a share buyback programme.
Russian oil output moved closer to its OPEC+ allocation in September, with a steady rise confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
Opec+ slightly adjusts its quotas for November, continuing its market share recovery strategy amid stagnant global demand and a pressured market.

Beijing transfers up to $8.4bn to Iran through parallel oil network

China has established a clandestine oil-for-projects barter system to circumvent US sanctions and support Iran’s embargoed economy, according to an exclusive Wall Street Journal investigation.
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TotalEnergies EP Norge signed two agreements to divest its non-operated interests in three inactive Norwegian fields, pending an investment decision expected in 2025.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.

Federal shutdown threatens permit delays and energy projects in the United States

The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
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The US Supreme Court will hear ExxonMobil’s appeal for compensation from Cuban state-owned firms over nationalised oil assets, reviving enforcement of the Helms-Burton Act.
A major fire has been extinguished at Chevron’s main refinery on the US West Coast. The cause of the incident remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine its origin.

OPEC+ prepares new production hike amid rift between Riyadh and Moscow

Eight OPEC+ countries are set to increase oil output from November, as Saudi Arabia and Russia debate the scale of the hike amid rising competition for market share.
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The potential removal by Moscow of duties on Chinese gasoline revives export prospects and could tighten regional supply, while Singapore and South Korea remain on the sidelines.
Vladimir Putin responded to the interception of a tanker suspected of belonging to the Russian shadow fleet, calling the French operation “piracy” and denying any direct Russian involvement.

Russian oil tanker Boracay resumes voyage after being seized by France

After being intercepted by the French navy, the Boracay oil tanker, linked to Russia's shadow fleet, left Saint-Nazaire with its oil cargo, reigniting tensions over Moscow’s circumvention of European sanctions.
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Russian seaborne crude shipments surged in September to their highest level since April 2024, despite G7 sanctions and repeated drone strikes on refinery infrastructure.
Russia’s Energy Ministry stated it is not considering blocking diesel exports from producers, despite increasing pressure on domestic fuel supply.

US energy agencies prepare to suspend operations amid budget deadlock

Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
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A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
TotalEnergies has reached a deal to sell mature offshore oil fields in the North Sea to Vår Energi as part of a $3.5bn divestment plan aimed at easing its rising debt.

Russia extends ban on gasoline and diesel exports until 2025

The Russian government has extended the ban on gasoline and diesel exports, including fuels traded on the exchange, to preserve domestic market stability through the end of next year.
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OPEC has formally rejected media reports suggesting that eight OPEC+ countries plan a coordinated oil production increase ahead of their scheduled meeting on October 5.
International Petroleum Corporation has completed its annual common share repurchase programme, reducing its share capital by 6.2% and is planning a renewal in December, pending regulatory approval.