Kazakhstan

Masdar launches Uzbekistan’s largest battery energy storage project

Masdar commits to developing a 300MW/600MWh battery storage system in Uzbekistan, marking a major step in modernising the national grid and securing investments in renewable energy.

Chevron strengthens post-Hess strategy and reassures markets on growth

In New York, Chevron outlines its long-term vision following the Hess integration, focusing on financial stability, spending reduction, and record production to consolidate investor confidence.

Sofia secures Lukoil refinery ahead of planned state takeover

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.
en_1140101133540

India and Russia strengthen nuclear cooperation with new projects

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.

Washington locks in Kazakh tungsten supply and frames its C5+1 bet

The United States secures a tungsten joint venture in Kazakhstan and mining protocols in Uzbekistan, with financing envisaged from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and shipment routed via the Trans-Caspian corridor.

Three U.S. gas basins reshape prices, flows and contracts

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.
en_1140991154540

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.

Gunvor drops $22bn bid for Lukoil assets under US pressure

Swiss trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22bn offer to acquire Lukoil’s international assets after the US Treasury announced it would block any related operating licence.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.
en_1140991145540

JA Solar to supply 1.2 GW of modules for two photovoltaic projects in Uzbekistan

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.

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.

Western sanctions disrupt Lukoil’s international operations

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.
en_114041147540-2

Aramco’s net profit drops for the eleventh consecutive quarter

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.

Envision Energy and ACWA Power Partner to Industrialize Wind Energy in Central Asia and the Middle East

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.

EU bans Russian LNG, Arctic bottlenecks and clauses under strain

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. —
en_114021138540

Poland: Orlen Consolidates Gas, Targets Regional Hub Without Liberalization

Poland’s gas market remains highly concentrated around Orlen, which controls imports, production, and distribution, while Warsaw targets internal and regional expansion backed by new infrastructure capacity and demand from heat and power.

Plug Power to supply up to 2 GW of electrolyzers to Allied Biofuels in Uzbekistan

Plug Power has signed a supply agreement with Allied Biofuels to equip a sustainable fuel production site in Uzbekistan, bringing total contracted capacity with Allied partners to 5 GW.

ACWA Power signs $10bn in energy and financing deals at FII9

ACWA Power signed $10bn worth of projects and financing agreements across Central Asia, the Gulf, China and Africa, marking a new phase in its global energy expansion.
en_1140021226540

Bulgaria halts fuel exports to EU after sanctions on Lukoil

Sofia temporarily restricts diesel and jet fuel exports to safeguard domestic supply following US sanctions targeting Lukoil, the country’s leading oil operator.

Lukoil sells its African oil assets to Gunvor under pressure from US sanctions

Swiss trader Gunvor will acquire Lukoil’s African stakes as the Russian company retreats in response to new US sanctions targeting its overseas operations.

Rosatom claims USD 2.9 billion from Finland’s Fortum and Outokumpu

The Moscow Arbitration Court postpones by nine months the trial initiated by Rosatom against Fortum and Outokumpu, seeking nearly three billion dollars following the controversial cancellation of a nuclear project in Finland.

Kremlin Warns of Global Impact from New Russian Oil Price Cap

The Kremlin condemns the European proposal to lower the price cap on Russian oil to $45 per barrel, asserting that this measure could disrupt global energy markets, as the G7 prepares for decisive discussions on the issue.

Brussels proposes to ban all transactions related to Nord Stream gas pipelines

The European Commission aims to prevent any return of Russian gas via Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 with a total transaction ban, part of its 18th sanctions package against Moscow.
en_1140290960540

Moscow seeks IAEA assistance to resolve nuclear dispute with Washington

Russia requests IAEA intervention to resolve the deadlock involving American nuclear fuel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a critical issue for the potential restart of the site currently under Russian control.

Bratislava urges Brussels to cap gas transit costs

Slovakia is calling on the European Commission to regulate gas transit fees as the EU moves toward a ban on Russian imports by 2027.

European gas storage reserves down 30% ahead of winter

Underground storage levels across Europe stand at just half capacity, widening the gap with EU winter targets amid intensified global competition for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
en_1140290948540

Putin proposes mediator role between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear issue

The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin aims to help resolve the nuclear dispute between the United States and Iran, leveraging strengthened strategic ties with Tehran.

South Korea Accelerates Energy Diplomacy Amid Growing Geopolitical Tensions

President Lee Jae-myung adopts an energy diplomacy rooted in national interest, amid a complex international landscape of rivalries that could create challenging situations for the country and its energy businesses.

Trump Rejects Any Uranium Enrichment by Iran, Moscow Supports Tehran

Donald Trump firmly rejects any uranium enrichment by Iran, while Russia affirms Tehran’s right to civil nuclear power, intensifying tensions in negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program.
en_1140290947540-3

Ansaldo Energia signs strategic nuclear agreement with Uzbekistan

Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.

Russian gas deliveries to Europe via TurkStream rise 10% in May

Gazprom increased its daily natural gas exports to Europe via the TurkStream subsea pipeline, reaching 46 million cubic metres per day in May, according to Reuters calculations.

South Korea begins site evaluation for Uganda’s first nuclear reactor

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
en_1140290954540-2

Naftogaz secures €36.4mn loan to upgrade drilling equipment

Naftogaz will fund the purchase of new drilling platforms through a €36.4mn loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, following a sharp decline in gas production due to Russian strikes.

Sweden enforces tighter controls on Russian ships in the Baltic Sea

The Swedish government will implement new disclosure rules for foreign vessels, specifically targeting tankers linked to Russia’s hard-to-trace oil fleet.

Berlin firmly opposes any reactivation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Friedrich Merz confirmed that Germany would block any attempt to relaunch the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, despite internal calls suggesting a potential reopening of dialogue with Moscow.
en_1140290952540-16

Chevron receives narrow U.S. authorization to retain its Venezuelan assets

The Trump administration authorizes Chevron to maintain limited stakes in Venezuela while prohibiting oil production and export, marking a decisive shift for the oil sector amid geopolitical tensions with Maduro’s government.

Russia Challenges Adjustment to Price Cap on Its Oil Exports

As Western nations debate an adjustment to the price ceiling on Russian oil, Moscow firmly rejects these measures as market-distorting, citing a lack of significant impact on its current exports.

Indonesia Bets on 10 GW Nuclear to Transform its Energy Mix

Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
en_1140290957540-14

Hungary to veto Brussels’ proposed ban on Russian gas

Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary would oppose the EU's plan to ban Russian energy deliveries by 2027, both legally and politically.

Serbia extends gas contract with Russia until 30 September

Belgrade has confirmed the temporary extension of its gas supply contract with Moscow, ensuring the daily delivery of 6 million cubic metres until autumn at an unchanged price.