Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan’s appointment as head of Nigeria’s oil regulator marks a strategic shift as the country targets $10bn in upstream investment through regulatory reform and transparent licensing.
Baghdad states that all international companies operating in Kurdistan’s oil fields must transfer their production to state marketer SOMO, under the agreement signed with Erbil in September.
Chinese oil group CNOOC continues its expansion strategy with a new production start-up in the Pearl River Basin, marking its ninth offshore launch in 2025.
A train carrying over 1,200 tonnes of gasoline produced in Azerbaijan entered Armenia on December 19, marking the first commercial operation since recent conflicts, with concrete implications for regional transit.
Subsea 7 has secured a new extension of its frame agreement with Equinor for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair services through 2027, deploying the Seven Viking vessel on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Caracas says Iran has offered reinforced cooperation after the interception of two ships carrying Venezuelan crude, amid escalating tensions with the United States.
US authorities intercepted a second oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, escalating pressure on Caracas amid accusations of trafficking and tensions over sanctioned oil exports.
California Resources Corporation completed an all-stock asset transfer with Berry Corporation, strengthening its oil portfolio in California and adding strategic exposure in the Uinta Basin.
The Ugandan government aims to authorise its national oil company to borrow $2 billion from Vitol to fund strategic projects, combining investments in oil infrastructure with support for national logistics needs.
British company BP appoints Meg O'Neill as CEO to lead its strategic refocus on fossil fuels, following the abandonment of its climate ambitions and the early departure of Murray Auchincloss.
The Venezuelan national oil company has confirmed the continuity of its crude exports, as the United States enforces a maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels operating around the country.
The United States has implemented a full blockade on sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela, escalating restrictions on the South American country's oil flows.
Deliveries of energy petroleum products fell by 4.5% in November, driven down by a sharp decline in diesel, while jet fuel continues its growth beyond pre-pandemic levels.
ReconAfrica is finalising preparations to test the Kavango West 1X well in Namibia, while expanding its portfolio in Angola and Gabon to strengthen its presence in sub-Saharan Africa.
Shell has reopened a divestment process for its 37.5% stake in Germany's PCK Schwedt refinery, reviving negotiations disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions.
Aliko Dangote accuses Nigeria’s oil regulator of threatening local refineries by enabling refined fuel imports, while calling for a corruption probe against its director.
Shell Offshore approves a strategic investment to extend the life of the Kaikias field through a waterflood operation, with first injection planned for 2028 from the Ursa platform.
Oil prices drop amid progress in Ukraine talks and expectations of oversupply, pushing West Texas Intermediate below $55 for the first time in nearly five years.
The US energy group plans to allocate $1.3bn to growth and $1.1bn to asset maintenance, with a specific focus on natural gas liquids and refining projects.
Ghanaian company Cybele Energy has signed a $17mn exploration deal in Guyana’s shallow offshore waters, targeting a block estimated to contain 400 million barrels and located outside disputed territorial zones.
Oil prices moved little after a drop linked to the restart of a major Iraqi oilfield, while investors remained focused on Ukraine peace negotiations and an upcoming monetary policy decision in the United States.
TechnipFMC will design and install flexible pipes for Ithaca Energy as part of the development of the Captain oil field, strengthening its footprint in the UK offshore sector.
Vaalco Energy has started drilling the ET-15 well on the Etame platform, marking the beginning of phase three of its offshore development programme in Gabon, supported by a contract with Borr Drilling.
The attack on a key Caspian Pipeline Consortium offshore facility in the Black Sea halves Kazakhstan’s crude exports, exposing oil majors and reshaping regional energy dynamics.
Iraq is preparing a managed transition at the West Qurna-2 oil field, following US sanctions against Lukoil, by prioritising a transfer to players deemed reliable by Washington, including ExxonMobil.
The rehabilitation cost of Sonara, Cameroon’s only refinery, has now reached XAF300bn (USD533mn), with several international banks showing growing interest in financing the project.
China imported 12.38 million barrels per day in November, the highest level since August 2023, driven by stronger refining margins and anticipation of 2026 quotas.
The United States reaffirmed its military commitment to Guyana, effectively securing access to its rapidly expanding oil production amid persistent border tensions with Venezuela.
Sanctioned tanker Kairos, abandoned after a Ukrainian drone attack, ran aground off Bulgaria’s coast, exposing growing legal and operational risks tied to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea.
The United States is temporarily licensing Lukoil’s operations outside Russia, blocking all financial flows to Moscow while facilitating the supervised sale of a portfolio valued at $22bn, without disrupting supply for allied countries.
Libya’s state oil firm NOC plans to launch a licensing round for 20 blocks in early 2026, amid mounting legal, political and financial uncertainties for international investors.
European sanctions on Russia and refinery outages in the Middle East have sharply reduced global diesel supply, driving up refining margins in key markets.
L’arrêt de la raffinerie de Pancevo, frappée par des sanctions américaines contre ses actionnaires russes, menace les recettes fiscales, l’emploi et la stabilité énergétique de la Serbie.
Oil prices climbed, driven by Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure and the lack of diplomatic progress between Moscow and Washington over the Ukraine conflict.
Chevron has announced a capital expenditure range of $18 to $19 billion for 2026, focusing on upstream operations in the United States and high-potential international offshore projects.
ExxonMobil is shutting down its oldest ethylene steam cracker in Singapore, reducing local capacity to invest in its integrated Huizhou complex in China, amid regional overcapacity and rising operational costs.
Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and Argentina are expected to provide a growing share of non-OPEC+ oil supply, backed by massive offshore investments and continued exploration momentum.
The revocation of US licences limits European companies’ operations in Venezuela, triggering a collapse in crude oil imports and a reconfiguration of bilateral energy flows.
