Russia

OPEC+ keeps production targets unchanged for early 2026 despite market pressure

The group of major oil producers extends its stability strategy despite a drop in prices of more than 18% in 2025 and projected supply surplus for the coming year.

Global oversupply drove Brent crude down to $63 in December 2025

Brent crude fell to its lowest level since 2021, as persistent oversupply throughout 2025 weighed on prices despite isolated geopolitical tensions and China’s strategic stockpiling.

India’s Russian oil imports drop in January as Reliance expects no deliveries

India’s crude imports from Russia could hit an eighteen-month low as Reliance Industries anticipates no shipments in January due to logistical and commercial disruptions.
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Kursk II reactor starts at 240 MW, marking gradual power increase

Russia has connected its first 1,250 MW VVER-TOI reactor at the Kursk II nuclear power plant to the grid, signalling a key step toward full commissioning by 2034.

Belgrade hopes for swift Russia-Hungary deal to unlock NIS’s future

Serbia is aiming for a quick agreement between Gazprom and Hungarian group MOL on the sale of Russian-held NIS shares, key to restarting its only refinery shut down by US sanctions.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

Russian Oil and Gas Revenues Decline with Gazprom’s Tax Relief in Sight

Russia’s oil and gas revenues are expected to decrease between 2025 and 2027 due to a reduction in Gazprom’s mineral extraction tax. This revenue decline poses a significant challenge to Russia’s budget, given the sector’s large contribution to the state’s finances.

Attacks on Yemen’s Oil Infrastructure: Rising Risks for Global Energy Supply

The ports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa in Yemen have been hit by Israeli airstrikes, disrupting regional maritime transport and exacerbating geopolitical tensions in a key area for global oil supply.

India Excludes Arctic LNG 2: Consequences for the Asian Energy Market

India has decided not to purchase gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project due to sanctions. This decision further isolates Russia from major Asian markets and could redefine LNG flows in the region.
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TotalEnergies Increases its Gas Assets in the Eagle Ford Basin

TotalEnergies continues its strategy of growth in the liquefied natural gas sector by acquiring a 45% stake in Lewis Energy Group’s assets located in the Eagle Ford Basin, Texas. This acquisition is part of a series of recent moves aimed at strengthening its position in the U.S. market, already supported by its presence in the Cameron LNG liquefaction plant in Louisiana. By targeting the Eagle Ford Basin, the group gains access to an existing dry gas production, allowing it to optimize its LNG export capabilities.

Sweden Launches Ambitious Nuclear Expansion Plan by 2026

Sweden plans to begin construction of a nuclear reactor before 2026, as part of a long-term strategy to double national electricity production by 2045 through the integration of new modular reactors.

Russia threatens to take the Nord Stream explosions case to the International Court of Justice

Moscow is ramping up pressure on the investigations into the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, accusing Germany, Denmark, and Sweden of not meeting their obligations under international conventions.
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US Regulators Support Venture Global LNG Despite Disputes Over LNG Deliveries

Venture Global LNG reçoit le soutien de la Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concernant des accusations de non-respect de ses engagements de livraison de gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL), malgré des différends contractuels en cours avec des entreprises comme Shell et BP.

Kazakhstan: Oil Sector Delays Hamper Growth Prospects

Kazakhstan, a major oil player in Central Asia, is facing production challenges due to delays in its key projects, limiting its ability to meet objectives and comply with OPEC+ quotas.

Saudi Aramco raises $3 billion in sukuk to maintain dividends

Saudi Aramco has raised $3 billion via a sukuk issue, despite a drop in oil production. The funds raised are intended to support the company's dividend commitments and capital expenditure projects.
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Russia: export ban on petrol and diesel may be lifted if there is a surplus

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announces that Russia could lift the gasoline export ban if a supply surplus is found in a stable domestic market.

Putin strengthens ties with BRICS and OPEC+ in retaliation

Vladimir Putin has announced the strengthening of energy alliances between Russia, the BRICS and OPEC+, with the aim of stabilizing the global energy market, despite the sanctions imposed by the West in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Kamala Harris faces natural gas producers in Pennsylvania

Natural gas producers are urging Kamala Harris to clarify her position on LNG exports and industry regulation, while uncertainty persists over political decisions relating to hydraulic fracturing.
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Belgium calls for coordinated ban on Russian LNG in Europe

Belgium is pushing the European Union to adopt a coordinated ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), arguing for a legal basis to speed up the phase-out of fossil fuels from Russia.

Congo and Ghana sign energy cooperation agreement

SNPC and GNPC have signed a strategic agreement to strengthen their collaboration in the oil and gas sectors, with a particular focus on energy infrastructure development and energy transition.

Russia: Novorossiisk port dispute, Magomedov loses to Transneft

The Stockholm Arbitration Court's rejection of Ziyavudin Magomedov's claim against Transneft closes a major dispute surrounding the strategic port of Novorossiisk. This decision illustrates the legal tensions in the Russian energy sector.
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Germany and the EU: Green energy boom hampered by lack of storage capacity

The development of renewable energies in Europe is creating imbalances on electricity grids. Without an increase in battery storage capacity, these imbalances risk slowing down the energy transition.

BRICS accelerate energy exchanges and de-dollarization

BRICS energy ministers focus on the future of global energy markets, highlighting the de-dollarization of trade, despite the challenges of currency fluctuations and the complexity of oil trade.

Barents: Johan Castberg project key to Arctic gas development

The Johan Castberg field launches a new phase of exploration in the Arctic, vital for Europe's gas future in the face of declining resources in the North Sea.
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Kazakhstan boosts Tengiz while consolidating ties with OPEC+.

Kazakhstan maintains its OPEC+ obligations despite a planned increase in production from its Tengiz field in 2025. The Kazakh authorities are closely monitoring market developments to adjust their strategy.

Centrus invests USD 3.4 billion in US nuclear power

Centrus urges the U.S. government to direct the $3.4 billion in federal investment into domestic nuclear technology, in order to strengthen U.S. energy independence from foreign dependencies.