Lebanon

Ukraine prepares legal framework to accelerate small modular reactor deployment

A roadmap under development aims to establish regulatory and technical foundations for the deployment of small modular reactors, with the goal of strengthening national energy security and attracting private capital.

Naftogaz proposes integrating its gas storage into EU strategic reserve plan

Naftogaz urges the European Union to use Ukraine’s gas storage capacity as part of a strategic reserve system, while calling for the end of storage filling obligations after 2027.

IAEA proposes local truce to restore power at Zaporizhzhia

The United Nations nuclear agency is urging Ukraine and Russia to establish a local ceasefire to repair damaged power lines at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains on alert after losing all external power supply.
en_1140141040540

China’s crude oil imports rise 3.9% in September

China imported an average of 11.5 million barrels of crude oil per day in September, supported by higher refining rates among both state-run and independent operators.

OPEC maintains demand forecast and lowers expected 2026 deficit

OPEC confirms its global oil demand growth forecasts and anticipates a much smaller deficit for 2026, due to increased production from OPEC+ members.

Russia taps into Tajikistan’s rivers and cotton for joint ventures

Moscow strengthens industrial joint ventures with Tajikistan by leveraging hydropower, agriculture, and mining in a strategy based on mutual interest and economic complementarity.
en_1140121057540

Croatia targets Russian stake in NIS to maintain oil flows

JANAF is interested in acquiring a 20 to 25% stake in NIS, as the Russian-owned share is now subject to US sanctions.

Australia loses Asian markets for seaborne thermal coal

Falling Chinese imports and Asia’s regional pivot increase pressure on Australian thermal coal exporters.

Rosatom begins excavation for small modular reactor project in Uzbekistan

The construction of Uzbekistan’s first small modular reactor (SMR) is underway, with 1.5mn m³ of earth being excavated in Jizzakh, marking a major milestone for the nuclear project led by Rosatom.
en_1140121043540

US sanctions hit NIS, a key player in Serbia’s oil market

Serbian oil company NIS, partially owned by Gazprom, faces newly enforced US sanctions after a nine-month reprieve, testing the country's fuel supply chain.

Russia increases oil production and nears OPEC+ quota

Russian oil output moved closer to its OPEC+ allocation in September, with a steady rise confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Russia formally exits bilateral nuclear agreement with the United States

The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
en_114081064540

Oil rises 1.3% after limited OPEC+ output increase

Crude prices rose following the decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to increase production only marginally in November, despite ongoing signs of oversupply.

Ukraine plans to increase gas imports by 30% after Russian strikes

The Ukrainian government is preparing to raise natural gas imports by 30% to offset damage to its energy infrastructure and ensure supply continuity during the winter season.

Belarus quadruples fuel exports to Russia in September

Rail shipments of Belarusian gasoline to Russia surged in September as Moscow sought to offset fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
en_114071060540

Tusk refuses to hand over Ukrainian suspect to Germany over Nord Stream sabotage

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.

Denmark strengthens maritime controls at Skagen Strait amid Russian shadow fleet activity

Denmark is intensifying inspections of ships passing through Skagen, a strategic point linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil.

China opts for quarterly thermal coal contracts with Indonesia for 2026

Chinese buyers begin negotiations for 2026 thermal coal deliveries, favouring shorter contracts to maintain flexibility in a stable price environment.
en_114071091540

Ukrainian strike cuts power to 5,400 homes in Belgorod region

A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.

Ukrainian suspected in Nord Stream sabotage faces possible extradition

Polish authorities have 40 days to decide on the extradition of a Ukrainian accused of participating in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

Poland urges European Union to end Russian oil imports by 2026

Poland’s energy minister calls on European Union member states to collectively commit to halting Russian oil purchases within two years, citing increasing geopolitical risks.

Ukraine seeks $1bn to secure gas reserves ahead of winter

Despite gas stocks covering over 80% of winter needs, Kyiv must still import more to offset the impact of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.

Brussels and Washington prepare new energy sanctions against Moscow

The European Commission and the United States plan to intensify their economic measures against Russia, targeting the energy sector and cryptocurrencies in a new sanctions package.
en_1140170935540

Australian port congestion reshapes coal flows to South Korea

Russia and Indonesia overtook Australia as South Korea's top thermal coal suppliers in August, driven by lower prices and more reliable logistics amid persistent Australian shipment delays.

Italian judge approves extradition of Ukrainian linked to Nord Stream sabotage

A Ukrainian national arrested in Italy will be extradited to Germany, where he is suspected of coordinating the 2022 attack on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

Eco Wave Power deploys BladeRanger drones to automate wave maintenance

Eco Wave Power and BladeRanger have unveiled a first-of-its-kind drone-powered maintenance system for onshore wave energy infrastructure, aimed at reducing operational costs and improving system performance.
en_1140150931540

Fifth sanctioned Russian LNG carrier docks at Beihai terminal in China

The Iris carrier, part of the Arctic LNG 2 project, docked at China’s Beihai terminal despite US and EU sanctions, signalling intensifying gas flows between Russia and China.

UK sanctions 70 tankers to reinforce Russian oil price cap

London has expanded its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting 70 new tankers, striking at the core of Moscow's energy exports and budget revenues.

Russian Arctic LNG 2 deliveries to Asia to slow this winter

The accelerated arrival of Russian cargoes in China has lowered Asian spot LNG prices, but traffic is set to slow with the seasonal closure of the Northern Sea Route.
en_1140140930540

China–Russia: Beijing secures a gas hedge with PoS2 and LNG cargoes

Shipments of liquefied natural gas and higher pipeline flows strengthen China’s gas optionality, while testing the sanctions regime and reshaping price–volume trade-offs for the next decade.

European Union maintains 2028 deadline to end Russian gas imports

Brussels confirms its target to end all Russian energy imports by 2028, despite growing diplomatic pressure from Washington amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Nuclear energy retained in the European Union green taxonomy

The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
en_114015092077540

Kazakhstan entrusts German Nukem with oversight of its nuclear back-end

Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.

European court annuls EU approval of state aid for Hungary’s Paks II nuclear project

The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.

Trump links new sanctions against Moscow to halting Russian oil in NATO

Donald Trump threatens to escalate US sanctions against Russia, but only if NATO member states stop all Russian oil imports, which remain active via certain pipelines.
en_114015092054540

Drone strikes major Bachneft refinery in Ufa, fire breaks out

A drone attack on a Bachneft oil facility in Ufa sparked a fire with no casualties, temporarily disrupting activity at one of Russia’s largest refineries.

Transatlantic rift over Russian oil reduces Indian volumes in October

The divide between the United States and the European Union over regulations on Russian oil exports to India is causing a drop in scheduled deliveries, as negotiation margins tighten between buyers and sellers.

Finland criticises Hungary and Slovakia over Russian oil purchases

Finnish President Alexander Stubb denounced fossil fuel imports from Russia by Hungary and Slovakia as the EU prepares its 19th sanctions package against Moscow.
en_114015092068540

Rosatom and CNNC formalise cooperation agreement on nuclear training

Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.

Russia increases oil exports from western ports by 11% in September

Russia plans to ship 2.1 million barrels per day from its western ports in September, revising exports upward amid lower domestic demand following drone attacks on key refineries.