Iraq

The inclusion of hydrogen in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan confirms a public investment strategy focused on cost reduction, domestic demand stimulation and geo-economic influence across global markets.
The visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow confirms Russia's intention to consolidate its regional energy alliances, particularly in gas, amid a tense geopolitical and economic environment.

TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas receive exploration licence offshore Guyana

TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas have signed a production sharing contract to explore the offshore S4 block in Guyana, marking a new step in the country’s opening to operators beyond ExxonMobil.
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The Bulgarian government has increased security around Lukoil’s Burgas refinery ahead of a state-led takeover enabled by new legislation designed to circumvent international sanctions.
Russia and India are preparing an expanded agreement for the construction of VVER-1200 reactors and modular nuclear power plants, while accelerating work at the strategic Kudankulam site.

COP30 opens in tension as negotiations fail on initial agenda

COP30 begins in Belém under uncertainty, as countries fail to agree on key discussion topics, highlighting deep divisions over climate finance and the global energy transition.
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Appalachia, Permian and Haynesville each reach the scale of a national producer, anchor the United States’ exportable supply and set regional differentials, LNG arbitrage and compliance constraints across the chain, amid capacity ramp-ups and reinforced sanctions.
TotalEnergies has tasked Vallourec with supplying tubular solutions for drilling 48 wells as part of its integrated gas project in Iraq, reinforcing their ongoing industrial cooperation on the Ratawi field.

Bulgaria passes law to take control of Lukoil refinery

Faced with US sanctions targeting Lukoil, Bulgaria adopts emergency legislation allowing direct control over the Balkans’ largest refinery to secure its energy supply.
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OMS Energy is accelerating investments in artificial intelligence and robotics to position itself in the growing pipeline inspection and maintenance sector, a strategic segment with higher margins than traditional equipment manufacturing.
Swiss trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22bn offer to acquire Lukoil’s international assets after the US Treasury announced it would block any related operating licence.

Trump grants Orban oil exemption in exchange for US gas deal

The United States grants Hungary a one-year waiver on sanctions targeting Russian oil, in return for a commitment to purchase US liquefied natural gas worth $600mn.
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The end of subsidies and a dramatic rise in electricity prices in Syria are worsening poverty and fuelling public discontent, as the country begins reconstruction after more than a decade of war.
JA Solar has signed an agreement with Larsen & Toubro to supply photovoltaic modules for the Samarkand 1 and 2 solar power plants, developed by ACWA Power with a total installed capacity of 1.2 GW.

EDF, SPIC and SAPCO consortium secures financing for 1,400 MW solar projects in Saudi Arabia

Two photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 1,400 MW will be operational in 2027, strengthening EDF Group's international presence and Asian actors in Saudi Arabia's energy market.
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SLB has unveiled Tela, an agentic artificial intelligence technology designed to automate upstream processes and enhance operational efficiency at scale.
The International Atomic Energy Agency denounces the ongoing inspection blockage at several damaged Iranian nuclear facilities, where stocks of highly enriched uranium remain.

TAG Oil secures three-year extension to evaluate BED-1 oil field in Egypt

TAG Oil extends the BED-1 evaluation period until October 2028, committing to drill two new wells before deciding on full-scale development of the Abu Roash F reservoir.
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Commodities trader Gunvor confirmed that the assets acquired from Lukoil will not return under Russian control, despite potential sanction relief, amid growing regulatory pressure.
Sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the U.K. are paralyzing Lukoil's operations in Iraq, Finland, and Switzerland, putting its foreign businesses and local partners at risk.
The Egyptian government signs four exploration agreements for ten gas wells, allocating $343mn to limit the impact of the rapid decline in national production.
Budapest plans to complete a new oil link with Belgrade by 2027, despite risks of dependency on Russian flows amid ongoing strikes on infrastructure.

Renaissance Dam could generate $1bn annual revenues for Ethiopia

The Grand Renaissance Dam, set to be inaugurated in September, aims to produce 5,000 megawatts and could generate up to $1 billion per year for Ethiopia, according to the government.
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The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
Hungary has imported over 5 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas since January via TurkStream, under its long-term agreements with Gazprom, thereby supporting its national energy infrastructure.

Fico to meet Putin in China before hosting Zelensky in Slovakia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Beijing before receiving Volodymyr Zelensky in Bratislava, marking a diplomatic shift in his relations with Moscow and Kyiv.
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India’s oil minister says Russian crude imports comply with international norms, as the United States and European Union impose new sanctions.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.

Sudan warns of Heglig evacuation after new drone strikes

Two drone strikes hit Heglig in August, disrupting the strategic Nile Blend export hub and increasing the vulnerability of Sudanese and South Sudanese oil flows.
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Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
U.S. regulators have approved two major milestones for Rio Grande LNG and Commonwealth LNG, clarifying their investment decision timelines and reinforcing the country’s role in expanding global liquefaction capacity.

KOGAS signs 3.3 mtpa of US LNG for ten years starting in 2028

Korea Gas Corporation commits to 3.3 mtpa of US LNG from 2028 for ten years, complementing new contracts to cover expired volumes and diversify supply sources and price indexation.
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The three European powers activate the UN sanctions mechanism against Iran, increasing pressure on the country's oil exports as Tehran maintains high production despite Western measures.
Petrobangla plans to sign a memorandum with Saudi Aramco to secure liquefied natural gas deliveries under a formal agreement, following a similar deal recently concluded with the Sultanate of Oman.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $863mn for its ARC fusion power plant

Commonwealth Fusion Systems raised $863mn in an oversubscribed round to finalise SPARC and accelerate construction of its ARC fusion plant in Virginia, strengthening its position in the global fusion energy sector.
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Iran once again authorises the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear sites, following a suspension triggered by a dispute over responsibility for Israeli strikes.
The United States extends a 30-day reprieve to NIS, controlled by Gazprom, as Serbia seeks to maintain energy security amid pressure on the Russian energy sector.

Washington activates Defense Production Act to secure enriched uranium

The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
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Solar panel imports into Africa reached 15,032 MW in one year, setting a record and marking an expansion beyond South Africa, according to the energy research organisation Ember.
Chevron has opened talks with Libya’s National Oil Corporation on a possible return to exploration and production after leaving the country in 2010 due to unsuccessful drilling.