Ukraine

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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OPEC+ prepares new production hike amid rift between Riyadh and Moscow

Eight OPEC+ countries are set to increase oil output from November, as Saudi Arabia and Russia debate the scale of the hike amid rising competition for market share.

Hungary secures 10-year LNG contract with Engie through 2038

Hungary has signed a ten-year agreement with Engie for the annual import of 400 mn m³ of liquefied natural gas starting in 2028, reinforcing its energy diversification strategy despite its ongoing reliance on Russian gas.

Vietnam and Russia Strengthen Their Nuclear Alliance

Vietnam revives its nuclear power plant project with Russia's support, consolidating a strategic alliance to meet soaring energy demands.

Energy Crisis in Transdniestria: Vadim Krasnosselski Travels to Moscow for Negotiations

The pro-Russian separatist leader of Transdniestria, Vadim Krasnosselski, traveled to Moscow to address the energy crisis impacting his region after Russian gas deliveries were cut, jeopardizing the local economy and power grid.

The Czech Republic Ends Its Dependence on Russian Oil

Thanks to the extension of the TAL pipeline, the Czech Republic diversifies its energy supply, reducing its dependence on Russian oil while enhancing its strategic security.
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The closure of the Pokrovsk mine: a major blow to Ukraine’s economy and defense

The Pokrovsk mine, Ukraine's sole coke producer, closes under Russian military pressure. This decision threatens the steel industry, the economy, and Ukraine's strategic logistics.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes: Fires at Russian Strategic Sites

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted industrial and energy facilities in Russia, causing significant fires in Tatarstan and Saratov regions, according to local authorities.

Ukraine and Slovakia consider 25% Russian gas transit

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan discussions on the partial resumption of Russian gas transit, representing 25% of the volumes needed for Slovakia.
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Trump and Maduro: The Energy Struggle Redefining US-Venezuela Relations

As Nicolás Maduro begins a contested third term and Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, tensions between Washington and Caracas reach a critical point. Between tightened sanctions, strategic alliances, and oil stakes, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for these two nations.

Russia accuses Ukraine of targeting TurkStream with nine drones

Russia reports that nine Ukrainian drones targeted a TurkStream pipeline station, without disrupting deliveries to Europe. This incident highlights the geopolitical stakes of energy infrastructure.

Transdniestria Faces Energy Crisis: Appeals to Moscow to Prevent Humanitarian Catastrophe

The separatist authorities of Transdniestria, grappling with the halt of Russian gas deliveries, are calling on Moscow for help to prevent a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by power outages and an economy on the brink of collapse.
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Serbia demands Gazprom to cede 56% of NIS shares

Faced with US sanctions targeting Russian oil, Serbia is negotiating with Moscow to ensure the full withdrawal of Russian shares in its main gas supplier, NIS, 56% owned by Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.

Germany Rescues Distressed Tanker Accused of Belonging to Russian “Ghost Fleet”

A tanker carrying 99,000 tons of oil, stranded in the Baltic Sea, has been secured by German rescue operations. The incident reignites debates over Russia's "ghost fleet" and its environmental implications.

The United States sanctions Gazprom Neft and 200 Russian ships worth $23 billion

Washington and London impose historic sanctions on the Russian energy sector, targeting Gazprom Neft and a fleet of 200 ships. Moscow accuses the U.S. of global destabilization, while Biden defends the strategic impact.
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Norway Sets Record in Natural Gas Production in 2024

With 124 billion m³ of gas produced in 2024, Norway consolidates its position as Europe’s primary supplier, replacing Russia in a tense geopolitical context.

Shell anticipates a decline in gas performance in Q4 2024

The British energy giant Shell expects disappointing results in its gas division for Q4 2024 due to expiring hedging contracts and reduced production.

Moldova Faces a Hybrid War with Russia

Russia has suspended gas deliveries to the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, intensifying energy and political tensions in Moldova. The European Union denounces a maneuver aimed at destabilizing the region.
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Moldova Accuses Gazprom of Provoking an Energy Crisis in Transnistria

Moldova and Gazprom are at odds over a debt estimated between $9 million and $700 million, exacerbating Transnistria's energy crisis. The separatist region faces the risk of total power outages in the midst of winter.

Underwater Sabotage in the Baltic: Sweden Aids Investigation on the EstLink 2 Cable

An undersea cable linking Finland and Estonia has been damaged in the Baltic Sea. Suspected of belonging to the Russian "ghost fleet," the tanker Eagle S is at the center of investigations, reinforced by a Swedish naval vessel.

Russia Faces a 9,200-Ton Oil Spill in Sevastopol

The sinking of two Russian oil tankers caused an unprecedented 9,200-ton oil spill impacting the Kerch Strait and Sevastopol. This crisis highlights significant technological challenges and geopolitical tensions in the region.
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Moldova: Power Outages and Energy Crisis in Transnistria

The end of Russian gas supplies via Ukraine plunges Transnistria, Moldova's separatist region, into a severe energy crisis, leading to power cuts for its residents and increasing tensions with Chisinau.

Russia Alerts on 73,000 Tons of Contaminated Sand After a Shipwreck in Crimea

The oil spill in the Kerch Strait caused by the shipwreck of two Russian tankers has contaminated 73,000 tons of sand, raising concerns about the costs and environmental impact in Russia and Crimea.