DNO warns of declines in North Sea, Kurdistan
DNO and Genel Energy have cut production estimates and spending this year in Kurdistan, although allowing that work could resume should prices strengthen.
Iraq
SFO drops Unaoil probe into ABB
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has dropped its investigation into ABB linked to the Unaoil case.
MEA banks under oil price pressure
Middle East and African banks face mounting pressure from the gathering macroeconomic storm and oil price pressure, Fitch Ratings has said.
DNO presses ahead with Kurdistan exploration
Norway’s DNO has tested and appraised its Baeshiqa-2 exploration well in Kurdistan and is moving to spud an exploration well on a separate prospect on the same licence.
Dana considers demerger, sukuk payment
Dana Gas has taken a step towards splitting its upstream and midstream businesses off from each other, following approval for the plan from its shareholders at an AGM vote.
Gulf Keystone waits for conditions to improve
Gulf Keystone Petroleum does still intend to increase production to 55,000 barrels per day in Kurdistan but this is dependent on conditions improving, including the resolution of outstanding payments from the local government.
Trump authorises Navy to tackle Iran vessels
US President Donald Trump has given the US Navy to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian vessels “if they harass our ships at sea” in a tweet.
Will Covid-19 kill the oil industry?
As Coronavirus lockdowns continue to spread around the world, the oil industry faces more disruption to demand and supply chains, with many margins and prices already collapsing.
Updated: Oil flirts with $70 as Middle East crisis deepens fear of supply disruption
Oil extended its gains, briefly surpassing $70 a barrel in London for the first time since September, as Middle East tensions flared after the U.S. assassinated one of Iran’s most powerful generals.
The great decoupling of energy stocks from oil creates carnage
This year has been one of moderate gains for the price of oil, but it has been bleak for producers.
Oil near 12-week high after Saudis surprise with output curbs
Oil traded near the highest level in almost 12 weeks after Saudi Arabia surprised the market Friday with a significant supply cut beyond what was agreed to with fellow OPEC+ members.
Oil price spike a welcome but short-lived boost for North Sea, Prof Kemp says
The oil price spike caused by a drone attack on a major Saudi processing facility will provide a welcome − but short-lived − boost to North Sea revenues, a prominent petroleum economist has said.
Oil market gripped by uncertainty over lost Saudi production
Oil markets are grappling with uncertainty over how long it will take Saudi Arabia to restore output after the devastating attacks that knocked out 5% of global crude supply.
Former Unaoil executive pleads guilty in Serious Fraud Office bribery case
A former Unaoil executive has pleaded guilty to five offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments amid a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation.
Iraq says Exxon Evacuation of staff is `unacceptable’
The evacuation of some Exxon Mobil Corp. workers is “unacceptable and unwarranted” because it has nothing to do with the security situation in southern Iraq, according the country’s energy minister.
Former Marathon Oil boss joins Cairn Energy board
A former vice president of Marathon Oil has joined the board of Scottish firm Cairn Energy.
Petrofac wins contracts worth £23m-plus in Middle East
Petrofac has secured a number of new awards and contract extensions, with a combined value of more than £23 million, to provide training solutions for key National Oil Company and International Oil Company clients in Oman, the UAE and Iraq.
Political uncertainty is certain in Middle East
Since the Arab Spring in 2011, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has faced continued political upheaval. But energy production and export remains central to its prosperity.
Genel to buy stakes in Kurdistan blocks from Chevron
Genel Energy has agreed to buy stakes in the Chevron-operated Sarta and Qara Dagh blocks, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, for $60 million.
Scots ministers feared Iraq War would dent oil prices
Terrorism, falling oil prices and the effect on tourism were among the forecast impacts on Scotland of the Iraq War discussed by Scottish ministers, newly-released official papers show.
Iraqi oil surge puts hurdle on Opec’s path to production cuts
The biggest snag in OPEC’s push for a consensus on cutting oil output could come from relentless growth in supply from its second-biggest producer.
Iraq to raise China oil sales by 60%
Iraq aims to supply China with about 60 percent more crude next year, as OPEC’s second-biggest supplier double downs on its main market in Asia, according to the head of the state-run Oil Marketing Co.
Iraq says it’s ready to boost oil exports once OPEC gives OK
Iraq sees a need to increase crude exports and says it’s ready to ship more as soon as OPEC agrees how members will share a collective supply boost, according to the acting director-general of the state-run Oil Marketing Co.
North Sea and Middle East player DNO picks up Iraq production
North Sea and Middle East-focussed operator DNO has announced a two-thirds increase in production from the Peshkabir field in Iraq.
Iraq’s oil potential still mainly untapped
With output of around 4.4 million barrels per day (as of March 2018), Iraq is the second largest oil producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia, and holds the world’s fifth largest proven crude oil reserves.