Quentin Szelag

Oil prices rise amid tensions between Washington and Caracas

Crude prices increased, driven by rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela and drone attacks targeting Russian oil infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Tullow Oil cuts board size and seeks to refinance $1.8 bn debt

Amid persistent financial losses, Tullow Oil restructures its governance and accelerates efforts to reduce over $1.8 billion in debt while refocusing operations on Ghana.

Baghdad invites US companies to replace Lukoil on West Qurna 2

The Iraqi government is inviting US oil companies to bid for control of the giant West Qurna 2 field, previously operated by Russian group Lukoil, now under US sanctions.
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Two tankers targeted in the Black Sea, Ankara warns over maritime security

Two tankers under the Gambian flag were attacked in the Black Sea near Turkish shores, prompting a firm response from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on growing risks to regional energy transport.

Harbour Energy to cut 100 offshore jobs over sustained fiscal conflict

The British producer continues to downsize its North Sea operations, citing an uncompetitive tax regime and a strategic shift towards jurisdictions offering greater regulatory stability.

Dangote claims 100% of Nigerian petrol supply and demands priority access to crude

Dangote Refinery says it can fully meet Nigeria’s petrol demand from December, while requesting regulatory, fiscal and logistical support to ensure delivery.
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BP restarts Olympic pipeline after leak, increasing pressure on safety

BP reactivated the Olympic pipeline, critical to fuel supply in the U.S. Northwest, after a leak that led to a complete shutdown and emergency declarations in Oregon and Washington state.

Washington increases military pressure on Caracas as Maduro alerts Opec

President Donald Trump confirmed direct contact with Nicolas Maduro as tensions escalate, with Caracas denouncing a planned US operation targeting its oil resources.

Zenith Energy accuses Tunisia of unauthorised sale of 3,987 barrels of oil

Zenith Energy claims Tunisian authorities carried out the unauthorised sale of stored crude oil, escalating a longstanding commercial dispute over its Robbana and El Bibane concessions.
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TotalEnergies sells 40% of two Nigerian licences to Chevron in strategic deal

TotalEnergies restructures its stake in offshore licences PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 by bringing in Chevron at 40%, while retaining operatorship, as part of a broader refocus of its deepwater portfolio in Nigeria.

Aker Solutions secures NOK2.5bn to NOK4bn offshore M&M contract with ConocoPhillips

Aker Solutions has signed a six-year frame agreement with ConocoPhillips for maintenance and modification services on the Eldfisk and Ekofisk offshore fields, with an option to extend for another six years.

Iran seizes Eswatini-flagged vessel for fuel smuggling

Iranian authorities intercepted a vessel carrying 350,000 litres of fuel in the Persian Gulf, tightening control over strategic maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
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North Atlantic France Takes Control of Esso S.A.F. and Renames the Company

North Atlantic France finalizes the acquisition of Esso S.A.F. at the agreed per-share price and formalizes the new name, North Atlantic Energies, marking a key step in the reorganization of its operations in France.

Imperial Petroleum raises $60mn through direct share and warrant offering

Greek shipowner Imperial Petroleum has secured $60mn via a private placement with institutional investors to strengthen liquidity for general corporate purposes.

Ecopetrol plans up to $6.84bn in 2026 investments to support production

Ecopetrol plans between $5.57bn and $6.84bn in investments for 2026, aiming to maintain production, optimise infrastructure and ensure profitability despite a moderate crude oil market.
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OPEC+ maintains output freeze for 2026 and opens quota battle for 2027

Faced with oversupply risks and Russian sanctions, OPEC+ stabilises volumes while preparing a structural redistribution of quotas by 2027, intensifying tensions between producers with unequal capacities.

UK locks in oil windfall until 2030 with 78% tax pressure

The United Kingdom is replacing its exceptional tax with a permanent price mechanism, maintaining one of the world’s highest fiscal pressures and reshaping the North Sea’s investment attractiveness for oil and gas operators.

Pakistan becomes structural fuel oil exporter, disrupting Asian market balance

Pakistan confirms its exit from domestic fuel oil with over 1.4 Mt exported in 2025, transforming its refineries into export platforms as Asia faces a structural surplus of high- and low-sulphur fuel oil.
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Aksa Enerji to build 119 MW thermal power plant in Burkina Faso

Turkish company Aksa Enerji has signed a 20-year contract with Sonabel for the commissioning of a thermal power plant in Ouagadougou, aiming to strengthen Burkina Faso’s energy supply by the end of 2026.

CPC pipeline restarts after strikes, but pressure remains on Kazakhstan

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium resumed loadings in Novorossiisk after a Ukrainian attack, but geopolitical tensions persist over Kazakh oil flows through this strategic Black Sea corridor.