Oil and Gas Industry

Trump May Extend Chevron’s Venezuela License

Chevron has been exporting some 240,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude to the United States daily thanks to the waiver. The amount constitutes a quarter of the country’s total oil production and generates substantial revenues that stay in the Venezuelan economy, Bloomberg reported earlier this week, arguing Chevron’s presence was critical for that economy. These revenues are running at some $6 billion.

Chevron Buys 5 Pct of Hess via Open Market

Hess responded at the time by saying John Hess’ communications with industry officials did not mean to harm competition. “Mr. Hess’ public and private communications with OPEC officials were consistent with his communications with U.S. government officials, the International Energy Agency and global business leaders on what will be needed to ensure an affordable and orderly energy transition”, the company said in a statement.

ADNOC Drilling Says it is Set to Enhance its Operational Capacity in 2025

In that statement, the company projected a rig count of over 148 by 2026 and more than 151 by 2028. The company owned 129 rigs in 2023, according to annual data hosted on ADNOC Drilling’s website.

“The introduction of advanced rigs with AI-enabled technologies will enhance efficiency and bolster … [ADNOC Drilling’s] oilfield services (OFS) segment, delivering greater value to customers,” the company said in the statement.

Oil Titans Meet With Trump as USA Unwinds Environmental Rules

Industry executives are prepared to praise Trump’s early moves, including his decision to end a Biden-era permitting pause that halted new authorizations to export liquefied natural gas overseas. The Trump administration has already moved to issue those licenses, with the most recent coming Wednesday for Venture Global LNG Inc.’s CP2 project in Louisiana.

Oil Rises Amid Demand Optimism Despite Fed Outlook

West Texas Intermediate rose 0.4% to top $67 a barrel, while Brent settled near $71. US distillate inventories dropped to the lowest in more than three months, while gasoline stockpiles hit January lows, reining in concerns about declining fuel consumption. The official data also showed a smaller gain for crude stockpiles than estimated by the American Petroleum Institute, while reserves fell at the Cushing hub.

Equinor Awards Kinewell Multi-Year Software Deal Extension

Kinewell said its Kinewell Layout Optimization of Cable (KLOC) software employs AI-driven technology to quickly create optimized inter-array cable layouts for offshore wind farms. KLOC leverages sophisticated optimization algorithms to deliver economically efficient layouts with enhanced reliability, generally achieving savings of approximately 20 percent on cable system capital expenditures, all while simplifying the early-stage development process, Kinewell said.

TotalEnergies Eyes Brazil Green Hydrogen for European Refineries

The French energy company would be a key buyer from a plant planned by Brazilian renewables developer Casa dos Ventos, said people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. TotalEnergies, which has a 34 percent stake in the developer’s wind and solar generation unit, also is considering taking a direct shareholding in the project, the people said.

Baker Hughes, Petrobras Tie Up to Solve Flexible Pipes Corrosion Cracking

“Baker Hughes has led the way in addressing SCC-CO2, and we will bring that expertise and experience to bear in developing the definitive solution to this critical industry challenge”, Amerino Gatti, executive vice president for Oilfield Services and Equipment at Baker Hughes, said. “By deploying flexible pipe systems that last for decades, Petrobras can more efficiently unlock the vital natural resources that power the region, while also safely returning CO2 deep underground”.

NewMed Energy Farms into OMV Petrom Block Offshore Bulgaria

NewMed Energy’s initial investment consists of EUR 50 million for the next exploration well to be drilled in the block’s Vinekh prospect. This well would be followed by another drilling on either an exploration well in another prospect or an appraisal well in Vinekh in the case of discovery in this prospect. NewMed Energy has agreed to invest a further EUR 50 million in the second well.