China eyes African opportunities
Amidst the oil price crash crisis and the pressure on companies, opportunities are emerging for those with resources.
Asia
BlackRock warns Korean utility on overseas coal plant push
BlackRock Inc. has challenged Korea Electric Power Corp. over plans to invest in new coal-fired power plants in Vietnam and Indonesia.
Thailand opens up LNG market, eyes regional trade
Thailand is issuing more liquefied natural gas (LNG) import licences as it attempts to liberalise its gas market and position itself as a regional LNG trading hub.
China’s Q2 2020 oil demand shows signs of recovery
According to the latest analysis by Wood Mackenzie, China’s oil demand will recover to 13 million barrels per day (b/d) in Q2 2020, a 16.3% jump compared to Q1 this year.
JGC positive on Middle Eastern contracts
Japan’s JGC remains positive about receiving the go ahead for work in Qatar, Iraq, Oman and Mozambique.
Beijing triumphs in South China Sea oil spat
China has arguably triumphed in its face-off with Malaysia over oil and gas exploration in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Tensions boil in South China Sea as Petronas drills
Tensions are rising in the resource-rich South China Sea following a recent standoff between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing over Malaysian oil and gas exploration.
European gas demand under pressure
The impact of coronavirus has not been felt as strongly by the gas industry as oil, Rystad Energy’s CEO Jarand Rystad has said, although increasing LNG production seems set to keep prices under pressure this year.
Beijing harasses Petronas and Shell off Malaysia
A four-month long standoff over oil and gas operations in the South China Sea is intensifying between Malaysian, Chinese, and Vietnamese ships, though all three governments have managed to keep it out of the public eye, until very recently.
Spear phishing picks up Egyptian opportunity
Two cyber campaigns have been identified that have been highly focused on particular parts of the oil and gas industry, using the same spyware Trojan, by security company Bitdefender.
Asia Pacific M&A shake-up on the horizon
More assets are expected to hit the market across Asia Pacific this year following the sustained drop in global oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has destroyed energy demand growth as economic activity contracts.
IEA: short-term pain to balance out in second half
Actions taken by producer states under the OPEC+ banner, coupled with moving oil into storage, should see a stock draw of 4.7 million barrels per day in the second half of 2020, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in its recent Oil Market Report (OMR).
Fabled Singapore oil trader appoints advisers amid bank squeeze
Singapore oil trader Hin Leong Trading (Pte.) Ltd. has appointed advisers to help in talks with banks as some of them freeze credit lines to the firm, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Silver lining for Asian LNG market after oil price crash
Lower long-term LNG prices could encourage coal-to-gas switching in Northeast Asia, while Chinese LNG demand is also expected to expand this year, albeit at a slower rate, as China gets back to work.
Asian NOCs set to maintain domestic upstream spend
While most international oil companies (IOCs) have stated they will make major spending cuts this year in response to the downturn, Asian national oil companies (NOCs) are expected to maintain domestic upstream spending to help employment and economic activity levels.
PNG-focused Oil Search is a takeover target
Despite a recently announced planned capital raising, Australian-listed Oil Search, which has major stakes in Papua New Guinea’s emerging LNG sector, is a prime takeover target, as mergers become more likely in a low oil price world.
Upstream spend at risk in Asia Pacific
Demand destruction and sustained oil prices below $40 per barrel mean Asia Pacific is bracing itself for a brutal wave of cost cutting that will see its reliance on imports rise as upstream investment is hit hard.
Virus looks set to delay BP’s Tangguh LNG expansion
BP will be bracing for a delay in the start-up of its third liquefied natural gas (LNG) train at the Tangguh LNG project in West Papua province, Indonesia, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oil’s 60% crash is the tip of an iceberg. The reality is worse
As oil crashes due to the impact of the coronavirus, it’s easy to overlook an even more dismal reality for producers: the real prices they’re getting for their barrels are worse still.
Polarcus scraps another seismic shoot
Seismic provider Polarcus has noted another project cancellation, this time in West Africa.
Pharos puts dividend on hold, pulls production guidance
Pharos Energy has set out plans to spend around $45 million in 2020 but has suspended production guidance from Egypt in response to the oil price pressures.
Supply booms, demand languishes: all are punished
Oil price falls below $40 per barrel spell problems throughout the industry, with companies and countries alike facing tough times.
Exclusive: Shell-Total deal delayed by Malaysia-Brunei spat
Malaysia has revoked a cross-border agreement with Brunei to jointly develop fields along the Malaysian-Brunei maritime boundary.
At London’s oil week, clues about demand will be all around
Oil traders are gathering in London for what’s normally a week of lavish parties, dealmaking and market chatter. China’s coronavirus means this year’s events will be more subdued – and fewer in number – than usual. The talk will be about absent friends and uncertain demand.
Shell tips LNG shortfall by mid-2020s
Shell has stuck to its growth expectations for LNG continuing to predict an emerging shortfall of supply from around 2025.