Russia

Storm in the Black Sea halts crude shipments at CPC terminal

Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended loading and intake operations due to a storm and full storage capacity.

Russian gas exports to Europe fall to 18 bcm, lowest level since the 1970s

Pipeline natural gas deliveries from Russia to the European Union dropped by 44% in 2025, reaching their lowest level in five decades following the end of transit via Ukraine.

Lithuania extends gas transit to Kaliningrad until 2030

Amber Grid has signed an agreement to maintain gas transit to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, with a daily capacity cap of 10.5 mn m³ until the end of 2030, under a framework regulated by the European Union.
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Russia provides $9bn for Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant

Ankara confirmed new Russian funding for the Akkuyu project, Turkey’s first nuclear site, strengthening its energy ties with Moscow and advancing its domestic nuclear ambitions.

Nigerien junta rejects French accusations over uranium disappearance

Niger’s military regime disputes theft allegations by French prosecutors after uranium stock vanished from a nationalised site previously operated by Orano.

Rosatom confirms HTGR fuel resilience under extreme temperature conditions

Rosatom successfully completed a series of tests on its high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel, validating its performance at up to 1,700 °C under prolonged irradiation conditions.
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Holtec and MVM join forces to deploy small nuclear reactors in Hungary

US-based Holtec has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hungary’s energy group MVM to assess the deployment of its SMR-300 technology, strengthening bilateral nuclear cooperation and opening prospects for a new market in Central Europe.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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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. —

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.

China cuts its oil surplus to 570,000 barrels per day and prepares a cycle of strategic purchases

The decline in imports and the rise in refining in September reduced China’s crude surplus to its lowest in eight months, opening the way for tactical buying as Brent slips below 61 dollars.

Schröder defends Nord Stream 2 before German commission over Russian ties

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder supported the Nord Stream 2 pipeline before an inquiry, dismissing criticism over his role and Russian funding linked to the project.

Russia definitively ordered to pay $50bn to former Yukos shareholders

The Dutch Supreme Court has rejected Russia's final appeal, confirming a record $50bn compensation to former Yukos shareholders, ending two decades of legal battle.
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Trump says Modi will stop Russian oil purchases amid rising tensions

Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.

Brussels seeks to ban Russian gas and oil by 2027 in major diplomatic move

Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.

China rejects US pressure over Russian oil imports

Beijing calls Donald Trump's request to stop importing Russian crude interference, denouncing economic coercion and defending what it calls legitimate trade with Moscow.
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Washington urges Japan to cut energy ties with Russia

The United States has called on Japan to stop importing Russian gas, amid rising tensions over conflicting economic interests between allies in response to the indirect financing of the war in Ukraine.

Trump reignites tensions over India’s imports of Russian oil

India faces mounting pressure from the United States over its purchases of Russian oil, as Donald Trump claims Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to halt them.

UK sanctions Rosneft, Lukoil and 51 vessels linked to Russian oil exports

The United Kingdom targets two Russian oil majors, Asian ports and dozens of vessels in a new wave of sanctions aimed at disrupting Moscow's hydrocarbon exports.
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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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.