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Is A New Oil Price War Between The West And OPEC About To Break Out?

It is highly unlikely that anyone with even a modicum of intelligence has lost money in the past ten years or so by trading against the predictable thinking of those in charge of Saudi Arabia’s oil policy. Quite the reverse, in fact, with enormous profits available from the failures of the enormously well-flagged and exceptionally predictable strategy of the 2014-2016 and 2020 Oil Price Wars — launched by the Kingdom with the intention of destroying or disabling the U.S. shale oil sector, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. As OPEC members and their toxic companion in the OPEC+ formation, Russia, mull keeping oil production on the high side of recent historical averages, the key question for the oil markets is — surely they are not going to launch another oil price war using the same strategy as failed twice before?

Aramco completes $5-billion bond sale

Saudi Aramco has completed a USD 5-billion bond issuance in three tranches under its Global Medium Term Note Program, the company announced on Monday.

The transaction was priced on May 27, 2025 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. The offering consists of three tranches of senior notes: USD 1.5 billion maturing in 2030 with a coupon rate of 4.750%, USD 1.25 billion maturing in 2035 with a coupon rate of 5.375% and USD 2.25 billion maturing in 2055 with a coupon rate of 6.375%.

North America Loses More Rigs

North America dropped five rigs week on week, according to Baker Hughes’ latest North America rotary rig count, which was released on May 30.

The U.S. dropped three rigs week on week and Canada cut two during the same timeframe, taking the total North America rig count down to 675, comprising 563 rigs from the U.S. and 112 rigs from Canada, the count outlined.

Brazil Seeks $6.2B from Oil Industry to Shore Up Finances

On Monday, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira presented measures to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that include selling oil exploration licenses and a review of the reference prices used to calculate oil taxes, the ministry said in a message. If approved, it would be an alternative to a controversial increase in tax rates on some financial transactions.

Oil prices rise 3% in first market reaction to latest OPEC+ meeting

West Texas Intermediate gained 2.8% to settle near $63 a barrel after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies agreed on Saturday to add 411,000 bpd of supply in July though some members objected, including Russia. With a handful of countries lobbying for a pause in July, banks are now split on how many more hikes will come in subsequent months.

Aker Solutions reaches milestone for autonomous drones in North Sea

Aker Solutions has successfully installed an autonomous drone system on Aker BP’s Edvard Grieg platform in the North Sea, enabling frequent, remote inspections from shore.
the Edvard Grieg platform, offshore North Sea
The company recently completed the first offshore beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operation, piloted from its onshore control center in Stavanger. The inspection flight was carried out using an installed drone on Aker BP’s Edvard Grieg platform.

STRYDE, Getech launch new onshore targeting and exploration service

Getech Group plc, a leading locator of subsurface energy and mineral resources, and STRYDE, the onshore nodal seismic imaging experts, have jointly announced the launch of a new high impact targeting and exploration service designed to help energy and natural resource companies explore faster and more effectively, while reducing exploration risk and cost.

Tariffs and Turmoil Undermine Trump’s Oil and Gas Promises

When U.S. President Donald Trump came into office in January, he promised to back greater oil and gas production, doubling down on his “drill, baby, drill” catch phrase. He rapidly introduced executive orders aimed at encouraging new oil and gas exploration across the country while reining in the renewable energy industry. However, since these early promises, Trump appears to be increasingly alienating the oil and gas industry as companies battle low oil prices, the uncertainty of a trade war, and several other challenges.