Crude oil prices have found some support this week, driven by China’s economic recovery and OPEC+ production strategies. China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, reported its fastest factory activity growth in five months, reinforcing optimism about future crude demand. Analysts view Beijing’s targeted stimulus measures as a potential catalyst for stabilizing global oil markets.
OPEC+ countries agreed to postpone the start of oil production increases by three months until April 2025, simultaneously extending the full unwinding of output cuts by a year until end-2026 as the oil group confronts rising non-OPEC production.
China, by contrast, has successfully integrated its EV strategy, leveraging state-backed initiatives, subsidies, and a robust supply chain to dominate the market. More than half of new cars sold in China are now EVs or plug-in hybrids, aided by competitive pricing and innovative in-car technology.
Litigation at court from environmental groups, a contractor bankruptcy, and President Joe Biden’s permit pause have combined to increase uncertainty for U.S. LNG project developers and exporters this decade.
Morgan Stanley expects Brent Crude prices to average $70 per barrel in the second half of 2025, up from a $66-$68 a barrel range expected previously, after OPEC+ delayed the beginning of its production increase and slowed the pace of the output hikes into 2026.
With Equinor’s endorsement, the Incremental Production Decree also aligns with broader strategies to extend the lifecycle of assets and maximize value. Koch added, “The new fiscal terms can work as a catalyst in our strategy to extend the longevity of our production outside Norway, while securing value for decades to come for our partnerships and the Angolan society.”
Aramco has signed a shareholders’ agreement with Linde and SLB, paving the way for development of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub that is expected to become one of the largest globally. Under the terms of the shareholders’ agreement Aramco will take a 60% equity interest in the CCS hub, with Linde and SLB each owning a 20% stake.
Nigerian regulators approved the transaction in November after months of delay. It was completed through Project Odinmim, a special purpose vehicle owned by Chappal, at an undisclosed sum.
Rahul Dhir was on July 1, 2020 appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Tullow Oil, taking over from Dorothy Thompson . Before his appointment, he was CEO OF Delonex Energy, an African focused Oil and Gas Company.
The change compared with a build of 1.23 million barrels for the week, as estimated by the American Petroleum Institute a day earlier. It also compared with an EIA-estimated draw of 1.8 million barrels for the prior week.