Oil

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.

Bourbon secures five-year contract with ExxonMobil for Angola’s Block 15

Bourbon has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil for the charter of next-generation Crewboats on Angola’s Block 15, strengthening a strategic cooperation that began over 15 years ago.
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Faced with tighter legal frameworks and reinforced sanctions, grey fleet operators are turning to 15-year-old VLCCs and scrapping older vessels to secure oil routes to Asia.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa completed drilling at the Kavango West 1X onshore well in Namibia, where 64 metres of net hydrocarbon pay were detected in the Otavi carbonate section.

CNOOC launches production at Weizhou 11-4 oilfield in South China Sea

CNOOC Limited has started production at the Weizhou 11-4 oilfield adjustment project and its satellite fields, targeting 16,900 barrels per day by 2026.
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The Adura joint venture merges Shell and Equinor’s UK offshore assets, becoming the leading independent oil and gas producer in the mature North Sea basin.
A Delaware court approved the sale of PDV Holding shares to Elliott’s Amber Energy for $5.9bn, a deal still awaiting a U.S. Treasury licence through OFAC.

Nigeria releases $100mn to accelerate local integration in the oil sector

A new $100mn fund has been launched to support Nigerian oil and gas service companies, as part of a national target to reach 70% local content by 2027.
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Western measures targeting Rosneft and Lukoil deeply reorganise oil trade, triggering a discreet yet massive shift of Russian export routes to Asia without causing global supply disruption.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission opens bidding for 50 exploration blocks across strategic zones to revitalise upstream investment.

Nigeria auctions 50 oil blocks in its 2025 licensing round

La Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission ouvre la compétition pour 50 blocs d’exploration, répartis sur plusieurs zones stratégiques, afin de relancer les investissements dans l’amont pétrolier.
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Serbia's only refinery, operated by NIS, has suspended production due to a shortage of crude oil, a direct consequence of US sanctions imposed on its majority Russian shareholder.
Crude prices increased, driven by rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela and drone attacks targeting Russian oil infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Tullow Oil cuts board size and seeks to refinance $1.8 bn debt

Amid persistent financial losses, Tullow Oil restructures its governance and accelerates efforts to reduce over $1.8 billion in debt while refocusing operations on Ghana.
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The Iraqi government is inviting US oil companies to bid for control of the giant West Qurna 2 field, previously operated by Russian group Lukoil, now under US sanctions.
Two tankers under the Gambian flag were attacked in the Black Sea near Turkish shores, prompting a firm response from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on growing risks to regional energy transport.

Harbour Energy to cut 100 offshore jobs over sustained fiscal conflict

The British producer continues to downsize its North Sea operations, citing an uncompetitive tax regime and a strategic shift towards jurisdictions offering greater regulatory stability.
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Dangote Refinery says it can fully meet Nigeria’s petrol demand from December, while requesting regulatory, fiscal and logistical support to ensure delivery.
BP reactivated the Olympic pipeline, critical to fuel supply in the U.S. Northwest, after a leak that led to a complete shutdown and emergency declarations in Oregon and Washington state.
Faced with tightened sanctions from the United States and European Union, Indian refiners are drastically reducing their purchases of Russian crude from December, according to industry sources.
Serbia’s only refinery, operated by NIS, may be forced to halt production this week, weakened by US sanctions targeting its Russian shareholders.

Cameroon: Glencore records a 31% drop in oil volumes

Glencore's attributable production in Cameroon dropped by 31% over nine months, adding pressure on public revenues as Yaoundé revises its oil and budget forecasts amid field maturity and targeted investment shifts.
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The profitability of speculative positioning strategies on Brent is declining, while contrarian approaches targeting extreme sentiment levels are proving more effective, marking a significant regime shift in oil trading.
Alaska is set to record its highest oil production increase in 40 years, driven by two key projects that extend the operational life of the TAPS pipeline and reinforce the United States' strategic presence in the Arctic.

TotalEnergies strengthens position in Nigeria with 90% stake in OPL257

TotalEnergies increases its stake to 90% in Nigeria’s offshore block OPL257 following an asset exchange deal with Conoil Producing Limited.
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TotalEnergies and Chevron are seeking to acquire a 40% stake in the Mopane oil field in Namibia, owned by Galp, as part of a strategy to secure new resources in a high-potential offshore basin.
The reduction of Rosneft’s stake in Kurdistan Pipeline Company shifts control of the main Kurdish oil pipeline and recalibrates the balance between US sanctions, export financing and regional crude governance.

Lukoil puts pressure on Sofia to finalise refinery divestment

Russian group Lukoil seeks to sell its assets in Bulgaria after the state placed its refinery under special administration, amid heightened US sanctions against the Russian oil industry.
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US authorities will hold a large offshore oil block sale in the Gulf of America in March, covering nearly 80 million acres under favourable fiscal terms.
Sonatrach awarded Chinese company Sinopec a contract to build a new hydrotreatment unit in Arzew, aimed at significantly increasing the country's gasoline production.

Chevron in advanced talks to acquire Lukoil’s international assets

The American major could take over part of Lukoil’s non-Russian portfolio, under strict oversight from the U.S. administration, following the collapse of a deal with Swiss trader Gunvor.
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Finnish fuel distributor Teboil, owned by Russian group Lukoil, will gradually cease operations as fuel stocks run out, following economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
ExxonMobil will shut down its Fife chemical site in February 2026, citing high costs, weak demand and a UK regulatory environment unfavourable to industrial investment.

Orlen acquires 7.6% of Ekofisk project as DNO reallocates assets

Polish state-owned group Orlen strengthens its North Sea presence by acquiring DNO’s stake in Ekofisk, while the Norwegian company shifts focus to fast-return projects.
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The Syrian Petroleum Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with ConocoPhillips and Nova Terra Energy to develop gas fields and boost exploration amid ongoing energy shortages.
Fincraft Group LLP, a major shareholder of Tethys Petroleum, submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire all remaining shares, offering a 106% premium over the September trading price.

China increases crude oil stockpiles in October as prices stabilise

As global oil prices slowed, China raised its crude stockpiles in October, taking advantage of a growing gap between imports, domestic production and refinery processing.
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Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has signed a syndicated financing agreement worth KWD1.5bn ($4.89bn), marking the largest ever local-currency deal arranged by Kuwaiti banks.
The Beninese government has confirmed the availability of a mobile offshore production unit, marking an operational milestone toward resuming activity at the Sèmè oil field, dormant for more than two decades.