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 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.

KNPC plans gas production increase to 18.3 million cylinders by 2027

Kuwait National Petroleum Company aims to boost gas production to meet domestic demand driven by demographic growth and new residential projects.
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Kuwait is preparing a battery storage project with a capacity of up to 6 GWh to stabilise its power grid and address rising electricity demand.
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Swiss trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22bn offer to acquire Lukoil’s international assets after the US Treasury announced it would block any related operating licence.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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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.
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.

Gunvor rules out resale of Lukoil assets to Russia after acquisition

Commodities trader Gunvor confirmed that the assets acquired from Lukoil will not return under Russian control, despite potential sanction relief, amid growing regulatory pressure.
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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.
Aramco reported a 2.3% decrease in its net profit for the third quarter, amid global economic uncertainties and an oversupply of oil, although its adjusted earnings showed a slight increase.

Two SANAD Drilling Rigs to Resume Operations in Saudi Arabia by Mid-2026

The SANAD drilling joint venture will resume operations with two suspended rigs, expected to restart in March and June 2026, with contract extensions equal to the suspension period.
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The Chinese wind turbine manufacturer and Saudi operator sign a seven-year framework agreement to deploy local production lines and enhance technological cooperation in several strategic markets.
The gradual ban on Russian cargoes reshapes European flows, increases winter detours via the Northern Sea Route and shifts risk toward force majeure and “change of law,” despite rising global capacity. —
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.
Hungary has signed a ten-year agreement with Engie for the annual import of 400 mn m³ of liquefied natural gas starting in 2028, reinforcing its energy diversification strategy despite its ongoing reliance on Russian gas.

China could supply gasoline to Russia if Moscow removes import duties

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.
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The containment structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor lost power after a Russian strike, as Zaporizhzhia remains cut off from external electricity for over a week.
An unprecedented overnight offensive targeted gas infrastructure in Ukraine, damaging several key facilities in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Putin denounces “piracy” after tanker seized off French coast

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.
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France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
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.

Russian crude exports hit 18-month high despite sanctions pressure

Russian seaborne crude shipments surged in September to their highest level since April 2024, despite G7 sanctions and repeated drone strikes on refinery infrastructure.
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Russia’s Energy Ministry stated it is not considering blocking diesel exports from producers, despite increasing pressure on domestic fuel supply.
The Dunkirk LNG terminal, the second largest in continental Europe, is seeing reduced capacity due to a nationwide strike disrupting all French LNG infrastructure.

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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The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
Russia’s liquefied natural gas output will increase steadily through 2027 under the national energy development plan, despite a 6% drop recorded in the first eight months of 2024.

Jolt launches advanced electrode plant at SPARK with Saudi government support

Jolt Green Chemical Industries appoints Dyar Al-Safwah to engineer a high-performance electrode facility at King Salman Energy Park, backed by the Ministry of Energy.
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The European ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027 is pushing Siberian producers to reorient their flows to Asia, despite logistical and regulatory constraints.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says known natural uranium reserves will meet global nuclear power plant demand for the rest of the century, despite price pressures.

Russian oil and gas revenues seen falling to $206.1bn in 2025

Russia projects a 12.5% contraction in oil and gas revenues in 2025, before a gradual recovery through 2028, according to official economic projections.
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US sanctions against Serbian oil company NIS, owned by Gazprom, were delayed by eight days after talks between Belgrade and Washington, President Aleksandar Vucic said.
ShaMaran and several international oil companies have reached a provisional deal with Baghdad and Erbil to resume crude exports from the Kurdistan region via pipeline, after months of suspension.