LPG

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.
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.

The United States keeps 50% duties if India buys Russian crude

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.
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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.
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.

SM Energy secures $3bn borrowing base with unanimous lender approval

Texas-based SM Energy gains full support from its banking syndicate, maintaining a $3bn borrowing base and easing short-term debt maturity terms.
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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.
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.

Jihadist blockade in Mali disrupts fuel supply and electricity production

Prolonged attacks on fuel convoys have depleted stocks, destabilised power generation and disrupted economic activity in Bamako and surrounding regions.
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Nigerian group Dangote has reduced crude supply to its refinery, citing a strategic adjustment to high oil prices and denying any technical failure.
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.

Fire temporarily halts operations at BP’s 440,000 bpd Whiting refinery

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.
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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.
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.

Namibia High Court confirms ethical breach by NBC in ReconAfrica case

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.
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The Canadian oilfield services provider announced a $75mn private placement of 6.875% senior unsecured notes to refinance bank debt and support operations.
Commercial crude reserves in the United States posted an unexpected increase, reaching their highest level in over a month due to a marked slowdown in refinery activity.

China rejects US pressure over Russian oil imports

Beijing calls Donald Trump's request to stop importing Russian crude interference, denouncing economic coercion and defending what it calls legitimate trade with Moscow.
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India faces mounting pressure from the United States over its purchases of Russian oil, as Donald Trump claims Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to halt them.
Three Crown Petroleum has started production from its Irvine 1NH well and plans two new wells in Wyoming, marking a notable acceleration of its deployment programme in the Powder River Basin through 2026.
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.
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.

Algeria signs two oil assessment agreements with Petrogas E&P

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.
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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.
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.

Chevron appoints former TotalEnergies executive to lead African exploration

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.
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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.
Russian oil output moved closer to its OPEC+ allocation in September, with a steady rise confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Jihadist blockade disrupts fuel supply across Mali

Fuel shortages now affect Bamako, struck in turn by a jihadist blockade targeting petroleum flows from Ivorian and Senegalese ports, severely disrupting national logistics.
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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.
The example of OML 17 highlights the success of an African-led oil production model based on local accountability, strengthening Nigeria’s position in public energy investment.

ExxonMobil returns to Iraq with deal on Majnoon oil field

ExxonMobil has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi government to develop the Majnoon oil field, marking its return to the country after a two-year absence.
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Crude prices rose following the decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to increase production only marginally in November, despite ongoing signs of oversupply.
Cenovus Energy modifies terms of its acquisition of MEG Energy by increasing the offer value and adjusting the cash-share split, while reporting record third-quarter results.

JANAF and MOL begin crucial talks on Central European oil transport

Hungarian oil group MOL and Croatian operator JANAF are negotiating an extension of their crude transport agreement as the region seeks to reduce reliance on Russian oil.
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Rail shipments of Belarusian gasoline to Russia surged in September as Moscow sought to offset fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Denmark is intensifying inspections of ships passing through Skagen, a strategic point linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil.

TotalEnergies appoints Nicola Mavilla as global head of exploration

Nicola Mavilla succeeds Kevin McLachlan as TotalEnergies' Director of Exploration, bringing over two decades of international experience in the oil and gas industry.
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Sahara Group is making a major investment in Nigeria with seven new drilling rigs, aiming to become the country’s top private oil producer by increasing output to 350,000 barrels per day.
Senegal aims to double its oil refining capacity with a project estimated between $2bn and $5bn, as domestic demand exceeds current output.