Despite bullish inventory and mere hopes that the trade war will not escalate, global economic concerns look set to put significant limitations on how far crude could climb in this climate. The World Trade Organization (WTO) slashed its 2025 global trade growth forecast from +3.0% to -0.2%, citing escalating tariff risks. If the U.S. proceeds with reciprocal tariffs, global trade could shrink by as much as -1.5%, raising fears of reduced energy demand.
The ultimate goal of the sanctions is to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, as stated by President Trump in a February directive to the State Department. The president directed the Secretary of State to “implement a robust and continual campaign, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and other relevant executive departments or agencies, to drive Iran’s export of oil to zero, including exports of Iranian crude to the People’s Republic of China.”
The Empire Wind project has a price tag of $5 billion, with Equinor saying in January it had secured a financing package of $3 billion. The installation was planned to power 500,000 New York homes and was expected to reach its commercial operation date in 2027. With a contracted capacity of 810 megawatts, Empire Wind 1 was going to be the first offshore wind project to connect to the New York City grid. Now, its future is in question as President Trump and his administration crack down on the technology.
Oil news this week has been a mixed bag, but it seems bullish developments have prevailed. Sanctions on Iran are one of the leading reasons for the recovery in oil prices. Another is a forecast from the International Energy Agency that expects oil supply growth this year to be weaker than previously predicted.
Global energy major TotalEnergies SE signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with Energia Natural Dominicana Enadom, S.R.L. (Enadom) for the delivery of 400,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year. TotalEnergies said in a media release that the HoA with the joint venture between AES Dominicana and Energas in the Dominican Republic is subject to the finalization of sale and purchase agreements (SPAs). Once the SPAs are signed, the agreement will start in mid-2027, with a 15-year term, and the price will be indexed to Henry Hub.
In this role as EVP and CFO, Rodgers will oversee all financial activities and departments, including Accounting, Audit, Investor Relations, Planning, Tax, and Treasury. He joined APA in 2018 and previously served as SVP, Finance, and Treasurer. He also served as CFO of Altus Midstream and later as a director on the board of Kinetik Holdings Inc., APA said. He currently serves on the board of Khalda Petroleum Company, a joint venture between APA subsidiary Apache Corporation and Egypt Petroleum Company.
West Texas Intermediate futures added 1.9% to settle near $62.50 a barrel, the third gain in the four past sessions, after China signaled openness to trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Pre-conditions for the talks would include a more consistent US position and a willingness to address China’s concerns around American sanctions and Taiwan, according to a person familiar with the Chinese government’s thinking.
Most of the oil released has been recovered and remediation efforts have started, South Bow Corp. said in a statement Wednesday. The line will be able to operate at no more of 80% of pressure levels at the time of the April 8 spill. At the time of failure, the line was transporting 17,844 barrels per hour, or the equivalent of 428,000 barrels a day.
While Iraq and Russia made a small amount of progress, it was dwarfed by overproduction in habitual quota-violator Kazakhstan, where the backlog expanded by more than 40%. OPEC+ delegates have said that Astana’s persistent offending motivated last month’s surprise policy shift that raised production faster than expected, as Riyadh seeks to discipline the cheats with lower oil prices.
United CEO Brian Larkin said, “The Walton Morant Licence presents a compelling frontier exploration opportunity for investors, offering exposure to a world-class frontier basin with multi-billion-barrel potential. Securing this early license extension until 31 January 2028, is crucial to progressing our work program, and ensuring stability and regulatory certainty sought by potential farm-in partners”.