Shearman & Sterling

Large load commitments in the PJM region now far exceed planned generation capacity, raising concerns about supply-demand balance and the stability of the US power grid.
The new US licence granted to Chevron significantly alters financial flows between Venezuela and the United States, affecting the local currency, oil revenues and the country's economic balance.

Venezuela freezes gas cooperation with Trinidad over pro-U.S. political alignment

Caracas suspended its energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, citing a conflict of interest linked to the foreign policy of the new Trinidadian government, jeopardising several major cross-border gas projects.
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Three Crown Petroleum reports a steady initial flow rate of 752 barrels of oil equivalent per day from its Irvine 1NH well in the Powder River Basin, marking a key step in its horizontal drilling programme in the Niobrara.
The environmental review of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming has been completed, paving the way for a construction permit for this advanced nuclear reactor.

Petrofac places holding company into administration after termination of key contract

The termination of a strategic contract with Dutch grid operator TenneT triggered the administration of Petrofac’s holding company, reigniting tensions with creditors.
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Canadian group Energy Plug Technologies continues its expansion in the US market with the delivery of a new energy storage system to an industrial client based in the southern region.
Ormat Technologies and SLB join forces to accelerate the development of integrated geothermal systems, including a pilot EGS project at an existing site for large-scale commercial deployment.

Cenovus revises terms of MEG Energy acquisition and sells assets to Strathcona

Cenovus Energy adjusts its MEG Energy acquisition offer to $30 per share and signs a voting support agreement with Strathcona Resources, while selling assets worth up to CAD150mn.
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With dense industrial activity and unique geological potential, Texas is attracting massive investment in carbon capture and storage, reinforced by new federal tax incentives.
GE Vernova and YTL PowerSeraya will assess the feasibility of capturing 90% of CO₂ emissions at a planned 600-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Singapore.

Singapore invests heavily in civil nuclear power and regional energy networks

Singapore strengthens its energy strategy through public investments in nuclear, regional electricity interconnections and gas infrastructure to secure its long-term supply.
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Iraq is negotiating a potential revision of its OPEC production limit while maintaining exports at around 3.6 million barrels per day despite significantly higher capacity.
The carbon removal technology sector is expanding rapidly, backed by venture capital and industrial projects, yet high costs remain a significant barrier to scaling.

Jordan prepares three major energy projects with German support

Amman plans to launch tenders for 400 megawatts of solar, wind and storage projects, as part of a strengthened bilateral energy cooperation with Germany.
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Le Premier ministre hongrois se rendra à Washington pour discuter avec Donald Trump des sanctions américaines contre le pétrole russe, dans un contexte de guerre en Ukraine et de dépendance persistante de la Hongrie aux hydrocarbures russes.
With a 9.3% increase in one year, district heating networks cross a historic threshold, while cooling networks continue expanding in response to intensifying heatwaves.

TotalEnergies requests ten more years and $4.5 billion for its Mozambique project

TotalEnergies is asking Mozambique for a licence extension and financial compensation to restart its $20 billion gas project suspended since 2021 following an armed attack.
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An Italian appeal court has approved the extradition to Germany of a former Ukrainian commander suspected of coordinating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, a decision now challenged in cassation.
Algeria has removed Rachid Hachichi from the leadership of Sonatrach, two years after his appointment, replacing him with Noureddine Daoudi, former head of the National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources.
Russian company Russneft has shipped its first oil cargo to Georgia’s newly launched Kulevi refinery, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Moscow and Tbilisi.
New Stratus Energy has signed a definitive agreement with Vultur Oil to acquire up to 32.5% interest in two onshore oil blocks located in the State of Bahia, Brazil, with an initial investment of $10mn.

Clearview completes sale to listed company for $1.84 per share

Clearview Resources has completed the sale of all its shares to a listed oil company, exiting Canadian financial markets following shareholder and court approval.
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The Brazilian government has approved an offshore drilling project led by Petrobras in the Equatorial Margin region, weeks before COP30 in Belém.
In Taft, a historic stronghold of black gold, Donald Trump's return to the presidency reopens the issue of California's restrictions on oil production and fuels renewed optimism among industry stakeholders.

Vantage Drilling cancels a $80m contract after a major regulatory shift

Vantage Drilling halted a 260-day drilling contract for the vessel Platinum Explorer following a rapid evolution of international sanctions regimes that made the campaign non-compliant with the applicable legal framework shortly after it was signed.
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Paratus Energy Services received $58mn through its subsidiary Fontis Energy in Mexico, initiating the repayment of arrears via a government-backed fund established to support investment projects and ensure supplier payments.
Washington ties the removal of additional duties to a verifiable decline in India’s imports of Russian crude, while New Delhi cites already-committed orders and supply stability for the domestic market.

China cuts its oil surplus to 570,000 barrels per day and prepares a cycle of strategic purchases

The decline in imports and the rise in refining in September reduced China’s crude surplus to its lowest in eight months, opening the way for tactical buying as Brent slips below 61 dollars.
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Chinese executive Zhou Xinhuai, 54, resigned from his post as chief executive of CNOOC Limited after holding the role since April 2022. A strategic reorganization is underway.
Texas-based SM Energy gains full support from its banking syndicate, maintaining a $3bn borrowing base and easing short-term debt maturity terms.

Aker BP and Halliburton complete first umbilical-less subsea tubing hanger installation

Halliburton and Aker BP have completed the first umbilical-less tubing hanger installation on the Norwegian continental shelf, paving the way for digitised offshore operations with reduced infrastructure.
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The US group has finalised operations at the Begonia field, marking its first offshore deepwater intervention in Angola’s Block 17/06, located 150 kilometres off the coast.
Prolonged attacks on fuel convoys have depleted stocks, destabilised power generation and disrupted economic activity in Bamako and surrounding regions.

Dangote cuts crude purchases in response to rising global prices

Nigerian group Dangote has reduced crude supply to its refinery, citing a strategic adjustment to high oil prices and denying any technical failure.
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Reliance Industries reported a 9.67% increase in net profit in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025–2026, driven by recovering petrochemical margins and continued growth in its retail and telecom operations.
An operational fire was contained at the largest refinery in the US Midwest, causing a temporary shutdown of several processing units, according to industry data.

EU bans co-processing to block imports of Russian oil products

The European Commission imposes new rules requiring proof of refined crude origin and excludes the use of mass-balancing to circumvent the Russian oil ban.
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The Dutch Supreme Court has rejected Russia's final appeal, confirming a record $50bn compensation to former Yukos shareholders, ending two decades of legal battle.
A ruling by Namibia's High Court upheld the media regulator’s decision that the state broadcaster NBC failed to ensure balance in its coverage of ReconAfrica’s oil operations.