March 8 (oilprice.com) Following the United States intervention in Venezuela on 3rd January, which brought an end to President Nicolás Maduro’s 13-year dictatorship, all eyes have been on the South American country’s oil industry. Once one of the world’s biggest oil producers, output has waned in recent years. However, with U.S. President Trump setting his sights on Venezuelan... Continue Reading →
Exclusive: Investors headed to post-Maduro Venezuela to scout out opportunities
March 7 (Reuters) - Dozens of U.S. and other investors ranging from hedge fund managers to energy investors plan to travel to Venezuela in the coming weeks with hopes of meeting the country's top politicians and business leaders and scouting out investment opportunities, according to event organizers and participants. Three investor trips are being organized... Continue Reading →
Colombia’s Ecopetrol eyes investments on higher oil prices, Venezuela deals
March 5 (Reuters) - Colombia's state oil producer Ecopetrol plans to review its investment plan in April should oil prices, pushed up by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, continue to rise, it said on Thursday, adding it was eyeing opportunities with Venezuela. For now, Ecopetrol predicted it will invest an amount closer to the top... Continue Reading →
How United States Action in Venezuela Guaranteed Guyana’s Oil Future
Feb. 28 (oilprice.com) Once one of South America’s poorest countries, Guyana is now ranked among the world’s richest because of the vast petroleum wealth contained in its territorial waters. A swath of major oil discoveries in the offshore Stabroek Block by operator ExxonMobil, with partners Chevron and CNOOC, saw Guyana emerge as a major oil producer and... Continue Reading →
Big Oil Is Urging Trump to Stop Battle on Offshore Wind
Feb. 28 - According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), major energy lobbying groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), recently urged the Trump administration to halt its offensive against offshore wind. Since taking office, Trump has maintained a hard line on offshore wind and halted major projects from Massachusetts to Virginia. In a meeting... Continue Reading →
Trump administration taps far-right official for key Brazil post
Feb 27 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has appointed a hard-right critic of Brazil's current government to a position shaping U.S. policy toward the South American nation, a move that suggests relations between the Western Hemisphere's two largest democracies remain delicate despite a recent rapprochement. Darren Beattie, who is also the acting assistant secretary of... Continue Reading →
U.S. Offshore Wind Projects Report Progress After Resuming Offshore Work
Feb. 27 ( maritime-executive.com) Three of the five offshore wind projects under construction in the northeast U.S. have each signaled this week strong progress. It comes after each project received preliminary injunctions against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which had imposed stop-work orders in late December. Speaking... Continue Reading →
Venezuela Halts 19 Maduro-Era Oil and Gas Contracts Pending Review
Feb. 27 (Reuters) Venezuela's oil ministry has suspended 19 oil production-sharing contracts with private companies signed under the administration of President Nicolas Maduro, four sources with knowledge of the move told Reuters on Thursday. The suspension has had no impact on the country's oil and gas output so far, the sources said. State oil giant... Continue Reading →
U.S. Department of Justice Sides With Argentina in $18 Billion YPF Lawsuit
Feb. 27 (oilprice.com) The U.S. Department of Justice is siding with Argentina in a legal case of $18 billion relating to the 2012 nationalization of Argentinian oil company YPF. In 2012, the Argentine government took control of the country’s largest oil and gas company, YPF S.A. The legal fight stems from Argentina’s 2012 expropriation of YPF shares... Continue Reading →
Saipem Eyes Comeback in Venezuela as Sanctions Ease
Feb. 25 (Reuters) Italian oil contractor Saipem is ready to resume activities in Venezuela for both offshore and onshore projects after the easing of U.S. sanctions, Chief Executive Alessandro Puliti said on Wednesday. "Things in Venezuela are changing very quickly. It's a country where we worked a lot in the past, and we are ready... Continue Reading →