Sofiane Louacheni

Phillips 66 sets $2.4bn investment budget for 2026

The US energy group plans to allocate $1.3bn to growth and $1.1bn to asset maintenance, with a specific focus on natural gas liquids and refining projects.

PDVSA denounces cyberattack targeting its administrative systems in Venezuela

Venezuelan state oil group PDVSA claims it was targeted by a cyberattack attributed to foreign interests, with no impact on main operations, amid rising tensions with the United States.

BUTEC secures XOF26bn financing for two thermal power plants in Burkina Faso

BUTEC has finalised the financing of a 50 MW emergency power project in Burkina Faso, structured under a BOOT contract and backed by Banque Centrale Populaire Group.
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BW Energy signs 10-year lease for Maromba B platform with MSFL

BW Energy has signed a long-term lease agreement with Minsheng Financial Leasing for its Maromba B platform, covering $274mn of the project’s CAPEX, with no payments due before first oil.

Shell to resume exploration on Namibia’s PEL 39 with five new wells planned for 2026

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.

Iran seizes tanker carrying 6 mn litres of diesel in the Gulf of Oman

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.
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Harbour Energy to acquire Waldorf’s UK assets for $170mn

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.

BP and Chevron invest over $110mn in targeted Gulf of Mexico blocks

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+ forecasts tight balance between oil supply and demand in 2026

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.

US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela as Caracas denounces an act of aggression

The United States seized a vessel suspected of transporting sanctioned oil from Iran and Venezuela, prompting a strong reaction from Nicolás Maduro's government.

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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South Sudan secures Heglig border oilfield after tripartite military agreement

South Sudanese authorities have been granted responsibility for securing the strategic Heglig oilfield following an agreement with both warring parties in Sudan.

TotalEnergies takes control of PEL83 license in Namibia with Mopane discovery

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 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 launches seismic reimaging programme over block 22 in Angola

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 secures Kremlin approval to exit Rosneft partnership in CPC

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 resumes offshore exploration in South Africa with $150mn investment

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.
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Trump maintient l’alliance avec l’OPEP malgré la pression sur Caracas

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 Kashagan crude to China after attack

Kazakhstan redirects part of its oil production to China following the drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, without a full export halt.