OGA frustrated by oil firms ‘mucking around’ in disputes amid climate crisis
The chief executive of the OGA has said he is frustrated by companies “mucking around in commercial disputes” while a climate emergency is ongoing.
sanctions
US sanctions Omani businessman for Iranian oil smuggling
The US government has sanctioned an Omani businessman for his participation in oil smuggling for Iran, with the proceeds going to destabilise the region.
OGA opens third sanctions investigation against North Sea companies of 2021
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has launched its third sanctions investigation on North Sea companies of this year.
BP fined £50,000 by OGA for North Sea licence breach
Energy giant BP has been fined £50,000 by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) over a North Sea licence breach.
Alfa Laval settles with US over trade with Iran
Alfa Laval has settled a complaint from the US about exporting storage tank cleaning units to Iran.
UN rights expert urges sanctions on Myanmar oil and gas
A United Nations (UN) human rights investigator has urged countries to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar’s oil and gas sector to cripple the military junta that seized power in a coup five months ago, reported Reuters.
Lifting of Iran sanctions to spark fight for oil market share in Asia
The expected return of Iranian oil to the market as US sanctions are likely to be lifted over the next year will offer new opportunities for former buyers in Asia to reshuffle their oil import mixes. Significantly, the return of Iranian barrels will trigger a fierce battle among global suppliers for market share raising the risk of price drops, reported Fitch Solutions.
Myanmar junta’s solar tender unlikely to rejuvenate foreign investment
Fitch Solutions believes that the Myanmar military government’s solar project push, the first attempt at stimulating foreign investment since the coup, will not succeed and will do little to turn the gloomy economic situation around.
OGA opens ‘sanctions investigation’ into North Sea operators failing to collaborate
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has opened an investigation and is threatening sanctions over a commercial dispute which saw North Sea firms failing to collaborate.
Indonesia releases Iran oil tanker seized four months ago
Indonesia released on Friday an Iranian-flagged ship it had seized four months ago over suspected illegal transfer of crude oil, an Indonesian official and Iranian state media said on Saturday.
Total and Chevron stop cash dividends by joint venture with Myanmar junta ties
Total and Chevron will suspend cash distribution by a joint venture that counts a Myanmar state-owned company as a shareholder.
Chinese energy firms set to benefit from Myanmar turmoil
There is a high risk that political turmoil in Myanmar will negatively affect the energy sector, however, Chinese companies look set to benefit from the tumultuous environment, according to Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research.
CNOOC’s capital spend set at $15bn, highest since 2014
CNOOC, China’s third-biggest oil company, aims to raise its capital spending this year to between 90 billion and 100 billion yuan ($15 billion), the highest level since 2014, bucking the industry trend.
CNOOC at risk of delisting in US as sanctions bite
Chinese oil majors may be next in line for delisting in the US after the New York Stock Exchange said last week it would remove the Asian nation’s three biggest telecom companies.
Turkey calls for Mediterranean gas exploration talks as EU considers sanctions
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for negotiations over gas exploration rights for Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean as EU leaders consider sanctions.
US adds CNOOC to list of firms with Chinese military ties
The Pentagon added CNOOC among four more Chinese companies to a list of firms it says are owned or controlled by China’s military, exposing them to increased scrutiny and potential sanctions by the US.
Trump’s Iran policy can be an opportunity for Biden
The next U.S. president will have to come to terms with “the will of the Iranian people” and end the economic war against the Islamic Republic, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech Thursday. Bluster aside, there is a kernel of truth to his prediction — and President Donald Trump’s Iran policy may make negotiations easier for President-elect Joe Biden.
Egypt, Greece deal riles Turkey in East Med
Egypt and Greece have signed an agreement on how to divide territorial waters, a move swiftly condemned by Turkey.
US men charged for Iranian oil-to-China plan
The US has charged five of its citizens with conspiring to sell sanctioned Iranian oil to China.
Congo Wants to Sell Gertler’s Oil Blocks on Ugandan Border
Congo Kinshasa is forming a plan to take back two oil blocks from sanctioned Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler and sell them to another company.
OGA not yet exercised £1million sanctioning powers despite ‘internal debates’
Chief executive Andy Samuel has confirmed the Oil and Gas Authority has not yet needed to exercise its sanctioning powers despite ‘internal debates” on whether the regulator is being stringent enough.
Exxon wins US suit over $2m Ukraine-sanctions fine
Exxon Mobil Corp. won a lawsuit challenging a $2 million fine levied against it by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin after the company allegedly violated Ukraine-related sanctions with a series oil and gas deals in Russia.
Sudan pushes for US sanctions relief
Pressure is mounting on the US to reconsider sanctions on Sudan, where the former president was driven from office in April.
Trafigura scrutinised over South Sudan arms-for-cash link
Trafigura’s work in South Sudan involved connections with an Israeli middleman who went on to be sanctioned by the US for aiding the conflict, a Swiss NGO has claimed in a new report.
Yamal LNG shipping venture cleared from US sanctions
A Teekay and COSCO joint venture operating LNG tankers serving Yamal LNG has been cleared to resume operations.