RATCH Group

Three Russian tankers targeted off the Turkish coast have reignited Ankara’s concerns about oil and gas supply security in the Black Sea and the vulnerability of its subsea infrastructure.
The UK regulator has approved a £28bn investment plan for electricity and gas networks from 2026 to 2031, setting strict performance conditions for operators while increasing household energy bills.

ExxonMobil shuts down steam cracker in Singapore and redirects assets to China

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.
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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.
EDF commits to supply 33 MW of nuclear electricity to Verkor over 12 years, enabling the battery manufacturer to stabilise energy costs ahead of launching its first Gigafactory.

Paris appoints Jean-Bernard Lévy to review subsidies for renewables

Amid rising public spending, the French government has tasked two experts with reassessing the support scheme for renewable electricity and storage, with proposals expected within three months.
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Donald Trump has scrapped the fuel consumption standards imposed under Joe Biden, citing lower vehicle prices, while carmakers welcome a move aligned with current market demand.
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.

ABB takes stake in OctaiPipe to optimise data centre operations

ABB invests in UK-based start-up OctaiPipe to strengthen its smart energy-saving solutions for data centre infrastructure.
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Swedish energy group Vattenfall introduces "Rewind", an interactive platform designed to commercially repurpose technical parts from dismantled wind turbines.
The cross-border hydrogen transport network HY4Link receives recognition from the European Commission as a project of common interest, unlocking access to funding and integration into Europe’s energy infrastructure.

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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Turkmenistan is leveraging the Global Gas Centre to build commercial links in Europe and South Asia, as it responds to its current dependence on China and a shifting post-Russian gas market.
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.

ReconAfrica identifies 64 metres of recoverable oil at Kavango West 1X well in Namibia

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.
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National operator PSE partners with armed forces to protect transformer stations as critical infrastructure faces sabotage linked to foreign interference.
The Marmara Ereğlisi liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by BOTAŞ is increasing its regasification capacity, consolidating Türkiye’s role as a regional player in gas redistribution toward the Balkans and Southeast Europe.

Hungary to launch legal challenge after EU agreement on ending Russian gas imports

Budapest contests the European agreement to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027, claiming the measure is incompatible with its economic interests and the European Union's founding treaties.
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The withdrawal of Stellantis weakens Symbio, which is forced to drastically reduce its workforce at the Saint-Fons plant, despite significant industrial investment backed by both public and private stakeholders.
The Norwegian government establishes a commission to anticipate the decline of hydrocarbons and assess economic options for the country in the coming decades.
The Japanese group TDK’s venture capital fund supports Ultraviolette, an Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer, to help it scale up in a domestic market estimated at over $50 billion within ten years.
U Power announces the signing of a letter of intent to supply 300 battery-swapping compatible electric vehicles in partnership with a Hong Kong-based technology manufacturer, marking a major milestone for intelligent commercial mobility.

Ember: A small portion of wind and solar capacity would meet India’s electric vehicle needs by 2032

According to Ember, only 3% of India’s wind and solar targets for 2032 would be sufficient to cover the entire electric vehicle charging demand, provided appropriate measures are taken for grid management and charging infrastructure.
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TotalEnergies holds 23% of the high-power charging market on French motorways, according to data published by Gireve, with more than 1,800 active points across 265 service stations.
The British government is mobilising USD845mn to subsidise electric-car purchases, easing pressure on an industry hit by US tariffs and preparing for the 2030 ban on internal-combustion engines.

Electroverse reaches one million public electric vehicle charging points worldwide

Octopus Energy’s Electroverse platform surpasses one million public electric vehicle charging points, strengthening its international presence with a subscription-free model available in 40 countries through a single payment card.
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Belgian marine constructor DEME floated its second giant wind-turbine installation vessel, Norse Energi, at China’s CIMC Raffles yard, a key step in an investment programme aimed at meeting growing offshore lifting demand.
The Northern Sea Route attracts businesses due to its logistical speed but presents significant technological challenges for the naval industry, especially in designing vessels adapted to extreme Arctic conditions.

United States cancels fuel economy standards set by Biden

The U.S. Department of Transportation is withdrawing strict fuel economy standards adopted under Biden, citing overreach in legal authority regarding the integration of electric vehicles into regulatory calculations for automakers.
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The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency is pursuing Gensol for a total default of over Rs 7.28 billion ($90.91mn), now targeting its electric vehicle leasing business.
The International Energy Agency expects electric vehicles to cut oil demand by 5 million barrels per day by 2030, down from a previous estimate of 6 million, citing economic and trade uncertainties.

Adani deploys a hydrogen mining truck for coal logistics

Adani Enterprises has launched a hydrogen-powered truck at a public mine in Chhattisgarh, marking a first in India for heavy transport in the mining sector.
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Shipbuilder Incat has unveiled a 130-metre electric catamaran designed for Buquebus, intended to connect Montevideo to Buenos Aires with a capacity of 2,100 passengers.
Ferrari unveiled on April 29 the 296 Speciale, a lighter and optimised version of the 296 GTB, featuring an 880 hp hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic innovations inspired by racing.

China Faces Looming Decline in Automotive Gasoline Demand

As electric vehicles now account for more than half of new registrations in China, domestic gasoline demand is showing tangible signs of slowing down, raising significant strategic questions for refiners, according to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.
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Sanef, Engie and Ceva Logistics have launched in France a first corridor for electric trucks, structured like modern postal relays, aiming to improve the efficiency of long-distance transport.
Tesla sales saw a significant drop in March, with a 36% decrease compared to the previous year, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The brand faces increased competition and the consequences of its image.

Tesla falls 71% in Q1 amid political tensions

Tesla reported a sharp decline in its quarterly results, driven by weakened demand and an increasingly divisive political stance from CEO Elon Musk.
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Elon Musk will partially step back from his role in Donald Trump’s government commission to focus on Tesla, which has been impacted by declining quarterly results and tensions in several markets.
Havre-based shipowner Towt continues its sail-powered maritime operations between Le Havre and New York despite new US tariffs, while announcing fleet expansion to eight vessels by 2027.