Portugal

Brazil’s biodiesel sector calls for tighter oversight amid rising prices and fraud risks

The increase in Brazil’s biodiesel blend mandate to 15% has reignited calls for stronger regulatory supervision as prices climb and budget constraints limit enforcement.

Prisma Photonics raises $30mn to expand its optical fibre infrastructure monitoring platform

Israeli company Prisma Photonics has raised $30mn in a funding round led by Protego Ventures to develop its artificial intelligence-based detection system for power grids and critical infrastructure.

EDP deploys 10 MWc solar park in Italy combined with livestock activity

EDP has commissioned a solar power plant in Salerno integrating livestock farming, with a capacity of 10 MWc and an annual output of 17 GWh, marking the launch of a hybrid model to be replicated in France and Germany.
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Brent under pressure: traders expect prices to fall towards $60

Major global oil traders anticipate a continued decline in Brent prices, citing the fading geopolitical premium and rising supply, particularly from non-OPEC producers.

Brazil, India, Italy and Japan set regulatory target for sustainable fuels

Ahead of COP30, four major economies commit to regulating the increase in sustainable fuel production and consumption by 2035.

Waga Energy accelerates in Brazil to capture biomethane growth

Waga Energy strengthens its presence in Brazil, betting on a rapidly structuring market where biomethane benefits from an incentive-based regulatory framework and strong industrial investment prospects.
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Low attendance of world leaders at COP30 despite climate and logistical urgency

The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.

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.

EDP secures Australian contracts for 1.7 GW solar and battery projects

EDP will accelerate two major solar projects in Australia after securing government-backed contracts under the Capacity Investment Scheme.
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Venture Global sinks 20% after legal defeat to BP over LNG contract dispute

US LNG producer Venture Global saw its market value drop sharply after an arbitral ruling in favour of BP reignited concerns over ongoing contractual disputes tied to the Calcasieu Pass project.

Namibia and McDermott join forces to train future oil workforce

The Namibian government signed an agreement with McDermott to strengthen local skills in offshore engineering and operations, aiming to increase oil sector local content to 15% by 2030.

Sintana Energy acquires Challenger Energy to strengthen offshore assets in Africa

Canada’s Sintana Energy acquires Challenger Energy in a $61mn all-share deal, targeting offshore exploration in Namibia and Uruguay. The move highlights growing consolidation among independent oil exploration firms.
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Used oil imports multiply twentyfold under pressure from biofuels

Global demand for biofuels is driving a sharp increase in used oil imports to Europe and the United States, straining global feedstock supply chains, according to the International Energy Agency.

Chevron appoints former TotalEnergies executive to lead African exploration

US-based Chevron appoints Kevin McLachlan, a veteran of TotalEnergies, as its global head of exploration, in a strategic move targeting Nigeria, Angola and Namibia.

McDermott signs strategic partnership with PETROFUND to train Namibia’s energy workforce

McDermott has signed a memorandum of understanding with PETROFUND to launch technical training programmes aimed at strengthening local skills in Namibia’s oil and gas sector.
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Mining mergers in Africa: groups strengthen their position on critical metals

Driven by growing demand for strategic metals, mining mergers and acquisitions in Africa are accelerating, consolidating local players while exposing them to a more complex legal and regulatory environment.

New Fortress Energy initiates commissioning of 624 MW CELBA 2 power plant in Brazil

New Fortress Energy has initiated the initial ignition of its 624 MW CELBA 2 power plant in Brazil, starting the commissioning phase ahead of commercial operations expected later this year.

Global green ammonia market to reach $38.5bn by 2033, driven by large-scale projects

Green ammonia reaches a new industrial milestone with 428 active projects and over $11bn in investments, highlighting accelerated sector growth across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
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Opec+ raises production by 137,000 barrels per day in November

Opec+ slightly adjusts its quotas for November, continuing its market share recovery strategy amid stagnant global demand and a pressured market.

April blackout in Spain and Portugal caused by unprecedented power surge

The blackout that hit the Iberian Peninsula in April originated from a series of unprecedented surges. The European report points to a sequence of technical failures but does not yet identify a primary cause.

European Energy launches e-methanol production and posts strong results

European Energy has begun commercial e-methanol production in Denmark and reported an EBITDA of €45.9mn, while accelerating its international expansion, particularly in Australia.

Petrobras signs two agreements in Angola to relaunch its offshore activities

Brazilian group Petrobras formalises its return to Angola with two memorandums of understanding signed with Sonangol and the national oil regulator, targeting offshore exploration without immediate financial commitment.

Galp targets 40% increase in oil production in Brazil

Portugal’s Galp expects a production surge in Brazil driven by the offshore Bacalhau field, in partnership with Sinopec, Equinor and ExxonMobil.
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Madrid rejects claims of experiment linked to nationwide power outage

Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.

The European Union seals strategic energy agreement with OLADE

A memorandum of understanding formalises energy cooperation between the European Union and the Latin American Energy Organization, including permanent EU participation in the organisation’s governance bodies.

The Libra consortium launches production at Mero-4 with a China-integrated FPSO

Production at the Mero-4 field began on May 24 using a 180,000 barrels/day FPSO, the result of international cooperation among six partners operating offshore Brazil.
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Namibia appoints former Chevron executive to lead its oil strategy

Carlo McLeod joins the new presidential unit dedicated to hydrocarbons as Namibia centralises oil sector governance under the head of state.

TotalEnergies launches Mero-4 production with 180,000 barrels per day in Brazil

TotalEnergies has started production at Mero-4, raising the total capacity of the Mero field to 770,000 barrels per day via five offshore units off the coast of Brazil.

Madrid and Lisbon ask Brussels to accelerate electrical interconnection projects

Following the major electrical outage in April, the Spanish and Portuguese governments are urging the European Commission to expedite infrastructure development for electrical interconnections between the Iberian Peninsula and the broader European grid, currently considered insufficient.
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Petrobras moves forward with Amazon exploration plans, but uncertainty over future permits persists

Petrobras reaches a crucial milestone for exploring the Foz do Amazonas basin, yet stringent conditions for upcoming permits raise questions about future operations in this strategic region.

BRICS Warn of Energy Risks Linked to Economic Sanctions

The BRICS denounce economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by Western countries, warning of their consequences on global energy markets, especially regarding supply chains and financial stability in the energy sector.

Mexico targets $1.6bn in annual savings by cutting US gas purchases

Mexico could eliminate imports of 384 billion cubic feet of gas per year by reaching 45% clean electricity by 2030, according to Ember.
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Africa Oil doubles production with Prime and issues $25mn dividend

Africa Oil completed the integration of Prime, doubling its production and reserves, while declaring a second quarterly dividend of $25mn supported by strong cash generation.

SBM Offshore reports 27% revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025

SBM Offshore posted quarterly revenue of $1,103mn, driven by the Turnkey segment, while maintaining full-year targets and advancing the deployment of its floating units scheduled for 2025.

CGN Brasil to invest $578mn in multi-energy hub in Piauí

CGN Brasil and the government of Piauí have signed an agreement to develop a 1.4 GW energy complex combining solar, wind and storage, with a planned investment of $578mn.
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No cyberattack detected after massive power outage in Spain

The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.

Petrobras posts $6bn net profit in Q1 boosted by production increase

Brazilian oil major Petrobras reported a $6bn net profit in Q1 2025, driven by higher production volumes and a stronger real against the US dollar.

Spain investigates blackout that removed 15 GW in five seconds

Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
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TotalEnergies and BWEnergy await final investment decisions on Namibian projects in 2026

Namibia plans to finalise agreements with TotalEnergies for the Venus oil field and with BWEnergy for the Kudu gas field by the end of 2026, according to the country’s petroleum commissioner.

EDP reports €428mn quarterly net profit driven by strategic positioning

Energias de Portugal saw its profit rise by 21% in the first quarter, supported by expanded renewable capacity and favourable electricity market prices.