On May 21, 2018 the United States president signed an executive order prohibiting certain transactions with the government of Venezuela. The order restricts transactions involving debt owed to the Venezuelan government. According to law firm Akin Gump, the new prohibitions target three categories of transactions: The purchase of any debt owed to the government of Venezuela, including accounts receivable Any debt owed to the
Iran’s energy sector will feel the repercussions of renewed sanctions Iran has the world’s fourth-largest proved crude oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, but production in the country has been suppressed by international sanctions and underinvestment. Although some sanctions targeting the energy industry were temporarily lifted, and oil production reached ~3.8 MMBOPD in 2017, growth has remained
Inventory declines have brought prices to three-year highs The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its monthly Oil Market Report today, outlining the group’s analysis of the overall oil market. In March 2018, OECD stocks declined by 27 million barrels to 2,819 million barrels – 214 million barrels below year-ago levels. This is the lowest level in three years, the IEA
Mike Sommers will be the new president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, following an election this afternoon by API’s board. Sommers brings two decades of political experience to API, including his current role as president and CEO of the American Investment Council. Sommers will succeed Jack Gerard, who said earlier this year that he will step down this
From Bloomberg Crude oil shipment would be biggest ever from the port Offshore terminal LOOP recently began exporting cargoes A 2 million barrel-carrying supertanker arrived for the first time at a jetty in Texas City as surging U.S. oil output drives up incentives to export. The Nave Quasar, a Very Large Crude Carrier, signaled from the jetty at the Gulf
ConocoPhillips Company (ticker: COP) reported first quarter 2018 earnings of $0.9 billion, or $0.75 per share. This compares to first quarter 2017 earnings of $0.6 billion, or $0.47 per share. First quarter production, excluding Libya, was 1,224 MBOEPD. Production from Libya was 45 MBOEPD. Conoco said that it grew year-over-year production in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Delaware by 20%.
Royal Dutch Shell’s (ticker: RDS.A) Shell Offshore Inc. finalized its investment decision for the deep-water development, Vito, located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The company said it estimates a forward-looking, breakeven price to be less than $35 per barrel. Vito will be Shell’s 11th deep-water host in the Gulf of Mexico and it is currently scheduled to begin producing
Elk Petroleum Limited (ticker: ELK) has commenced production on its Grieve CO2 EOR Project. The company said it expects initial gross oil production of 1,100-1,200 BOPD. CEO Brad Lingo commented, “I’m exceedingly pleased to announce the start-up of oil production from the Grieve CO2 EOR project. Reaching this point has been the result of the commitment and dedication of the
Crescent Point Energy Corp. (ticker: CPG) said its Q1 2018 production and cash flow from its U.S. assets have grown year-over-year by approximately 60% and 175%, respectively. Additionally, the company said its land position in the east shale Duvernay light oil resource play now totals over 355,000 net acres ($315/acre), or 555 net sections. “Our U.S. assets continue to grow
Canada is hurting for takeaway capacity—the industry needs pipelines to take its oil and gas production to market, or more locomotive hauling capacity—or both. Cenovus Energy Inc. (ticker: CVE) said it has reduced production rates due to pipeline constraints and a lower price for Canada’s oil. Cenovus is storing excess barrels in its reservoirs due to wider than normal light-heavy
Reuters Column LAUNCESTON, Australia – Crude oil is likely to spring to mind if one is asked to name a commodity where the United States is disrupting the market by becoming a swing producer and challenging traditional trade flows, especially in fast-growing Asian markets. But it’s increasingly likely that the United States is about to play the same role in
U.S. crude oil exports grew to an average of 1.1 MMBOPD in 2017, the EIA said, which is the second full year since restrictions on crude oil exports were removed. Crude oil exports in 2017 were nearly double the level of exports in 2016. Increased U.S. crude oil exports were supported by increasing U.S. crude oil production and expanded infrastructure, the
