Kazakhstan

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.
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.
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Kuwait National Petroleum Company aims to boost gas production to meet domestic demand driven by demographic growth and new residential projects.
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.

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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Faced with US sanctions targeting Lukoil, Bulgaria adopts emergency legislation allowing direct control over the Balkans’ largest refinery to secure its energy supply.

OMS Energy turns to AI and robotics to capture global pipeline inspection market

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.
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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.
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.

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.
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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.
SLB has unveiled Tela, an agentic artificial intelligence technology designed to automate upstream processes and enhance operational efficiency at scale.

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.
Dangote Group appoints David Bird, former Shell executive, as head of its Refining and Petrochemicals division to accelerate regional growth and open up equity to Nigerian investors.
Faced with falling discounts on Russian oil, Indian Oil Corp is purchasing large volumes from the United States, Canada and Abu Dhabi for September, shifting its usual sourcing strategy.

Chinese oil companies strengthen their presence in the Iraqi market

Independent Chinese oil companies are intensifying their investments in Iraq, aiming to double their production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2030 and compete with the sector’s historic majors.
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Discussions between Tehran and Baghdad on export volumes and an $11 billion debt reveal the complexities of energy dependence under U.S. sanctions.
The eight voluntary OPEC+ members accelerate their market return in September despite weakened global demand and record production from the Americas.

India navigates between US sanctions and Russian oil dependence

Facing US secondary sanctions threats, Indian refiners slow Russian crude purchases while exploring costly alternatives, revealing complex energy security challenges.
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A fire broke out at a Sotchi oil depot after an attack by Ukrainian drones, causing no casualties but temporarily disrupting air traffic and mobilising significant emergency resources.
French group Orano returns to profitability in the first half of the year, supported by strong plant performance and stabilisation of international activities, notably after resolving the situation in Niger.

Hungary signs agreement with Synthos to introduce US small modular reactors

Hunatom announces a strategic alliance with Synthos Green Energy to introduce US small modular reactor technology, strengthening energy ties between Hungary, Poland and the United States.
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The progress of national targets for renewable energy remains marginal, with only a 2% increase since COP28, threatening the achievement of the tripling of capacity by 2030 and impacting energy security.
Emerge has signed a twenty-year contract with Misk City for the supply of solar electricity through a 621 kWp photovoltaic plant, supporting the site’s environmental certification and urban transformation.

Trump imposes 25% plus mystery penalties on India from August

Washington triggers an unprecedented tariff structure combining 25% fixed duties and an additional unspecified penalty linked to Russian energy and military purchases.
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The Russian Minister of Energy announces strengthened cooperation in uranium and civil nuclear energy in Niger, reinforcing Russia's economic presence in a key sector following the withdrawal of several Western players.
Investments in renewable energy across the Middle East and North Africa are expected to reach USD59.9 bn by 2030, fuelled by national strategies, the rise of solar, green hydrogen, and new regional industrial projects.

European Commission investigates Adnoc’s acquisition of Covestro for EUR12bn

The European Commission opens an in-depth investigation into Adnoc’s purchase of German chemical group Covestro, questioning the potential impact of foreign subsidies and competition within the European internal market.
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Emirates Nuclear Energy Company signs two major agreements with Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Westinghouse, strengthening its position in the global civil nuclear market and paving the way for new international industrial opportunities.
The governments of Saudi Arabia and Syria conclude an unprecedented partnership covering oil, gas, electricity interconnection and renewable energies, with the aim of boosting their exchanges and investments in the energy sector.

US sanctions against NIS: Serbia secures a fifth 30-day reprieve

Serbia has secured a new 30-day reprieve from the application of US sanctions targeting NIS, operator of the country’s only refinery, which is majority owned by Gazprom.
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The EU-US agreement could create a higher energy concentration than that of Russia before 2022, threatening the European diversification strategy.
The European commitment to purchase $250bn of American energy annually raises questions about its technical and economic feasibility in light of limited export capacity.