Quentin Szelag

The example of OML 17 highlights the success of an African-led oil production model based on local accountability, strengthening Nigeria’s position in public energy investment.
ExxonMobil has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi government to develop the Majnoon oil field, marking its return to the country after a two-year absence.

Oil rises 1.3% after limited OPEC+ output increase

Crude prices rose following the decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to increase production only marginally in November, despite ongoing signs of oversupply.
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Cenovus Energy modifies terms of its acquisition of MEG Energy by increasing the offer value and adjusting the cash-share split, while reporting record third-quarter results.
Hungarian oil group MOL and Croatian operator JANAF are negotiating an extension of their crude transport agreement as the region seeks to reduce reliance on Russian oil.

Belarus quadruples fuel exports to Russia in September

Rail shipments of Belarusian gasoline to Russia surged in September as Moscow sought to offset fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
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Denmark is intensifying inspections of ships passing through Skagen, a strategic point linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil.
Nicola Mavilla succeeds Kevin McLachlan as TotalEnergies' Director of Exploration, bringing over two decades of international experience in the oil and gas industry.

Sahara Group deploys seven rigs to boost oil output in Nigeria

Sahara Group is making a major investment in Nigeria with seven new drilling rigs, aiming to become the country’s top private oil producer by increasing output to 350,000 barrels per day.
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Senegal aims to double its oil refining capacity with a project estimated between $2bn and $5bn, as domestic demand exceeds current output.
Chevron is working to restart several units at its El Segundo refinery in California after a fire broke out in a jet fuel production unit, temporarily disrupting regional fuel supplies.

Ethiopia launches $2.5bn refinery to reduce fuel import dependency

Ethiopia has begun construction of its first crude oil refinery in Gode, a $2.5bn project awarded to GCL, aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security amid ongoing reliance on fuel imports.
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Opec+ slightly adjusts its quotas for November, continuing its market share recovery strategy amid stagnant global demand and a pressured market.
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.

TotalEnergies exits three mature fields in Norway’s Ekofisk area

TotalEnergies EP Norge signed two agreements to divest its non-operated interests in three inactive Norwegian fields, pending an investment decision expected in 2025.
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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.
Ghana’s only refinery is preparing to resume operations after a prolonged shutdown caused by technical and financial issues, with a restart scheduled for October according to its management.
BP revises its annual forecast and now expects global oil demand to grow until 2030, due to slower worldwide energy efficiency gains.

Atlas-Oranto secures four offshore blocks to revive oil exploration in Liberia

The Liberian government awarded four offshore oil blocks to Nigerian company Atlas-Oranto for $12 million, strengthening the regional presence of African junior players in offshore exploration.
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Oil companies are preparing for a tough 2026 with lower investments, focusing on financial discipline and cash flow redistribution at the expense of low-return projects.
North Atlantic finalises agreement to acquire ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., marking a decisive step in a strategic transfer in France. Completion remains subject to regulatory approvals expected this quarter.

Dispute escalates between MOL and Janaf over Adriatic pipeline’s supply capacity

A technical dispute between Hungarian group MOL and Croatian operator Janaf raises doubts about the Adriatic pipeline's ability to supply oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
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Commercial crude inventories in the United States declined unexpectedly, as analysts had forecast an increase, amid rising imports and falling exports.
Adnan Ahmadzada, a former senior figure at SOCAR, has been placed in pre-trial detention in Baku on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement and threatening the country's economic security.

Brussels prepares tariffs on Russian oil imported by Hungary and Slovakia

The European Commission is considering targeted tariffs on Russian oil imports still allowed in Hungary and Slovakia, in an effort to bypass existing exemptions.
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Eight oil companies and Iraqi and Kurdish authorities have reached a preliminary deal to restart crude exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, halted since March 2023.
Wood Mackenzie has entered into a strategic partnership with Novi Labs to integrate proprietary well-level production data and advanced lease-to-well algorithms into its Lens Lower 48 solution, covering more than 20% of global oil and gas supply.

PetroTal shuts in four Bretana wells after leaks detected in tubing

PetroTal has temporarily halted production from four wells at the Bretana field in Peru, following technical leaks affecting pumping performance, while keeping its annual guidance unchanged.
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International Petroleum Corporation repurchased 59,454 common shares between 15 and 19 September, under its ongoing share buyback programme compliant with Canadian and European regulations.
The European Commission seeks to block Russian oil flows through new bans targeting Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, foreign refineries and vessels operating outside the regulatory framework.

Venezuela denounces the United States’ naval operation as a disguised war

Caracas steps up its military posture in response to the United States’ naval deployment in the Caribbean, which the Venezuelan government accuses of having strategic designs on its oil and gas resources.
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A UN report reveals that nearly 90% of road projects financed by oil never materialised, fuelling surging poverty amid extreme inflation and poor management.
Sinopec modernises its Tahe complex, increasing refining capacity and adding key units to support petrochemical production in western China.

TotalEnergies secures four offshore oil exploration blocks in Liberia

TotalEnergies has signed four production sharing contracts for offshore blocks covering 12,700 km² off the coast of Liberia, marking a new step in the expansion of its activities in West Africa.
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A new analysis estimates that existing oil fields could yield up to 1,000 billion additional barrels without major new discoveries, using proven methods supported by artificial intelligence.
Baker Hughes has signed a multi-year contract with Petrobras to maintain the Blue Marlin and Blue Orca vessels in Brazil’s offshore fields, including the supply of associated chemicals and services.