Oil

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.
The New Vista vessel, loaded with Abu Dhabi crude, avoided Rizhao port after the United States sanctioned the oil terminal partly operated by a Sinopec subsidiary.

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.
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JANAF is interested in acquiring a 20 to 25% stake in NIS, as the Russian-owned share is now subject to US sanctions.
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 50 entities linked to Iranian oil exports, targeting Chinese refineries and vessels registered in Asia and Africa.

Les deux Soudans scellent un accord pétrolier malgré l’ombre des milices

Khartoum et Juba annoncent un mécanisme commun pour protéger les oléoducs transfrontaliers, sans clarifier le rôle des forces armées non étatiques qui contrôlent une partie des installations.
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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.
Nigeria deploys a 2.2 million-barrel floating storage unit funded by public investment, strengthening sovereignty over oil exports and reducing losses from theft and infrastructure failures.

Bill C-5 fuels uncertainty over the future of pipelines in Canada

Despite open statements of dialogue, the federal government maintains an ambiguous regulatory framework that hinders interprovincial oil projects, leaving the industry in doubt.
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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.
The 120,000-barrel-per-day catalytic cracking unit at the Beaumont site resumed operations after an unexpected shutdown caused by a technical incident earlier in the week.

Sudan and South Sudan sign agreement to secure oil infrastructure

An agreement was reached between Khartoum and Juba to protect key oil installations, as ongoing armed conflict continues to threaten crude flows vital to both economies.
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Alnaft has signed two study agreements with Omani firm Petrogas E&P on the Touggourt and Berkine basins, aiming to update hydrocarbon potential in key oil-producing areas.
Import quotas exhaustion and falling demand push Chinese independent refineries to sharply reduce Iranian crude volumes, affecting supply levels and putting downward pressure on prices.

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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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.
Lycos Energy finalises the sale of its Alberta assets for $60mn, planning an immediate $47.9mn cash distribution to shareholders and the launch of a share buyback programme.

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.
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Fuel shortages now affect Bamako, struck in turn by a jihadist blockade targeting petroleum flows from Ivorian and Senegalese ports, severely disrupting national logistics.
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.
Russian seaborne crude shipments surged in September to their highest level since April 2024, despite G7 sanctions and repeated drone strikes on refinery infrastructure.
Russia’s Energy Ministry stated it is not considering blocking diesel exports from producers, despite increasing pressure on domestic fuel supply.

TotalEnergies sells Norwegian oil assets to Vår Energi to reduce debt

TotalEnergies has reached a deal to sell mature offshore oil fields in the North Sea to Vår Energi as part of a $3.5bn divestment plan aimed at easing its rising debt.
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The Russian government has extended the ban on gasoline and diesel exports, including fuels traded on the exchange, to preserve domestic market stability through the end of next year.
OPEC has formally rejected media reports suggesting that eight OPEC+ countries plan a coordinated oil production increase ahead of their scheduled meeting on October 5.

International Petroleum completes buyback of 7.46 million common shares

International Petroleum Corporation has completed its annual common share repurchase programme, reducing its share capital by 6.2% and is planning a renewal in December, pending regulatory approval.
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Kansai Electric Power plans to shut down two heavy fuel oil units at Gobo Thermal Power Station, totalling 1.2GW of capacity, as part of a production portfolio reorganisation.
Canada’s Questerre partners with Nimofast to develop PX Energy in Brazil, with an initial commitment of up to $50mn and equal, shared governance.

BP approves Tiber-Guadalupe, $5 billion project in the Gulf of Mexico

BP commits $5 billion to Tiber-Guadalupe, with a floating platform targeting 80,000 barrels per day and first production in 2030, to increase its offshore volumes in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Russia projects a 12.5% contraction in oil and gas revenues in 2025, before a gradual recovery through 2028, according to official economic projections.
Baker Hughes will supply up to 50 subsea trees and associated equipment to Petrobras to support offshore production in Brazil, strengthening its role in the development of pre-salt fields.

Oilfield equipment market to reach $36.87bn by 2031 driven by global demand

Driven by rising global energy consumption and exploration investments, the oilfield service equipment market is expected to grow at a 5.39% CAGR to reach $36.87bn by 2031.
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US sanctions against Serbian oil company NIS, owned by Gazprom, were delayed by eight days after talks between Belgrade and Washington, President Aleksandar Vucic said.
Nigeria’s oil union ordered the suspension of gas and crude deliveries to Dangote refinery following the dismissal of hundreds of local workers, escalating an industrial dispute with potential supply impacts.

Vitol acquires 30% of Baleine oil field in Côte d’Ivoire from Eni

Vitol strengthens its presence in West Africa by acquiring a 30% stake in the Baleine oil field from Eni, while maintaining an active role in the country’s offshore development.
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ShaMaran and several international oil companies have reached a provisional deal with Baghdad and Erbil to resume crude exports from the Kurdistan region via pipeline, after months of suspension.
The number of active drilling rigs in the United States rose for the fourth consecutive week, supported by higher crude prices and OPEC+’s difficulties in meeting production targets.

Iraq resumes oil exports from Kurdistan after two-year suspension

Baghdad has restarted crude shipments from Kurdistan via the pipeline to Turkey, following a two-year halt linked to legal and contractual disputes involving international firms operating in the region.
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Washington offers New Delhi an alternative to its Russian imports while maintaining tariff pressure, exposing a double standard in US energy policy.
Canadian group North Atlantic will acquire ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso France, including the country’s second-largest refinery, with the ownership change expected by the end of 2025.