Fossil Fuels








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Fossil Fuels

Senator says that the US Department of Health will reverse the federal layoffs for coal safety workers

Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican senator and former federal employee who screens coal miners for black lungs disease and conducts research on other respiratory diseases who were terminated in a sweeping government layoff have their jobs permanently restored. According to an email sent to employees by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, they make up a significant percentage of 313 workers who were notified by the Department that their layoff notifications were rescinded. NIOSH has nearly 1,500 full-time employees in eight offices throughout the world. United States Capito stated in a press release that Robert F....

Oil & Gas

Snakes and ladders in a potential Ukrainian peace deal

What are the possible contours of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine? SECURITY GUARANTEE Ukraine, which has been subjected to a full scale invasion in 2022, and witnessed Russia annex Crimea, needs security guarantees from major powers, primarily the United States. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994, in which the U.S., Russia and Britain agreed to refrain from using force against Ukraine and respect Ukrainian sovereignty was not enough for the Ukrainian government. The powers agreed to take the matter to the United Nations Security Council in the event of an attack on Ukraine. Sources involved in the talks say...

Energy Markets

Senator says that the US Department of Health will reverse federal layoffs for coal safety workers

Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican senator and former federal employee who screens coal miners for black lungs disease and conducts research on other respiratory diseases who were terminated in a sweeping government layoff have their jobs permanently restored. Capito stated in a press release that she received an assurance from Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., that the Department of Health and Human Services had reversed the terminations of staff at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown, West Virginia. In a press release, she stated that "my understanding is from Secretary Kennedy that over 100...

Fossil Fuels

British stocks fluctuate as investors evaluate US inflation and UK labour market reports

British stocks finished mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed a slight increase in U.S. Inflation data while signs of a slowing UK labour market fueled speculation about the Bank of England’s future rate decisions. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index was almost flat, but the domestically focused midcaps index rose 0.6%. Consumer prices in the United States rebounded modestly in April. They rose 0.2%, after a dip of 0.1% in March. The inflation rate is expected to increase in the coming months, as tariffs will raise import costs. After the report, traders bet that the Federal Reserve will delay lowering interest...

Crude Oil

Oil prices fall as rising supply concerns outweigh US-China trade relief

The oil price dropped on Tuesday, despite optimism about the pause in U.S.-China's trade war, after both countries temporarily reduced tariffs. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents or 0.3% to $64.74 a barrel at 0248 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which is a blend of U.S. West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, fell 18 cents or 0.3% to $61.77 per barrel. The benchmarks for both closed Monday with a 1.5% gain, their highest settlement since April 28. These gains are coming at a time when the global oil market is experiencing turmoil. Monday saw Wall Street stocks, crude...

Fossil Fuels

Financial Times - May 13

These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Headlines ISS proxy adviser Elliott backs in the fight against Phillips 66 - Perplexity is nearing its second fundraising in 6 months at a valuation of $14 billion - Cobalt Holdings to IPO in London with Glencore taking a 10% stake UK announces "backstop" plan to force pension funds into private assets View the full article The activist investor Elliott Management won the support of Institutional Shareholder Services, a powerful proxy adviser in its campaign to stop Phillips...

Oil & Gas

Oil prices drop from 2-week highs following US-China tariff war

The oil prices fell on Tuesday, from the two-week high they reached in the previous session. This was after the U.S. & China agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs. This sparked optimism that the trade war between two of the largest economies in the world would end. The U.S.-China agreement to reduce steep tariffs by at least 90 day sent Wall Street stocks, U.S. dollars and crude oil prices sharply higher Monday. The dispute is not over, but the underlying issues that caused it remain. These include the U.S.-China trade deficit and U.S. president Donald Trump's demands for Beijing to take...

Oil & Gas

US House Republicans try to kill EV loan and tax credit program

As part of a broader tax reform bill, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed Monday to kill the electric vehicle credit and repeal fuel efficiency regulations designed to encourage automakers to build more zero-emission cars. The proposal is scheduled for a House Ways and Means Committee Hearing on Tuesday. It would repeal the $7,500 tax credit for new vehicles and the $4,000 credit for used vehicles on December 31, but it would keep the credit for new cars for an extra year for automakers who haven't sold 200,000 electric cars. Genevieve Cullen - the president of the Electric...

Oil & Gas Refining

Elliott wins ISS Support in Phillips 66 proxy battle

Elliott Investment Management won a major victory in the board fight it waged against Phillips 66 on Monday when Institutional Shareholder Services, a prominent proxy advisory firm, recommended that investors elect each of its four activist nominees for director. Elliott, which has a stake of approximately $2.5 billion in Phillips and is valued at $48, billion, wants to see the refiner make changes, including spinning off or selling the midstream business. It also wants to see investors re-energize the board to accomplish these goals. Analysts and investors believe that the hedge fund has gained significant support with the backing of...

Energy Markets

Boulder can sue Exxon and Suncor for climate change, says Colorado's top court

Colorado's highest Court rejected ExxonMobil’s and Suncor Energy’s attempts to dismiss a case filed by the City of Boulder to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change. In a decision reached by a majority of 5-2, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that federal law does not prevent Boulder and the surrounding counties from claiming the energy companies have violated state laws by misleading the public regarding the dangers of fossil fuels. This was only the second instance in which a state's supreme court allowed one of many lawsuits brought by local and state governments against large energy companies regarding...

Electric Utilities

Trump's Energy Department announces rule changes to reduce red tape

The U.S. Department of Energy proposed Monday to eliminate or modify more than 40 regulations, programs and initiatives to align with President Donald Trump’s efforts to loosen federal rules and gut diversity measures. In a press release, the agency claimed that the moves would save U.S. tax payers $11 billion. It called it the first phase of its biggest-ever deregulation effort. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated in a statement that "thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we're bringing common sense back - slashing regulation meant to appease Green New Deal fantasy, restrict consumer choices and increase costs for American people." The...

Mining

US to expedite Utah uranium mining permit

The U.S. The U.S. The department announced in a press release that the environmental review of the project will be finished in only 14 days. These studies can take many years due to the environmental impact of uranium mines. The prior administration's policies of climate extremism have created an energy crisis that is alarming. "President Trump and his Administration are working quickly and strongly to resolve this crisis," stated Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum. He said that the expedited review of mining projects was exactly what we needed to ensure our energy future. The Velvet-Wood Mine Project in San Juan...

Europe

Oil & Gas

Norway GDP growth faster than expected Q1

Statistics Norway (SSB), on Thursday, released data showing that the Norwegian economy's growth was faster than expected in the first quarter 2025. In the January-March timeframe, mainland GDP increased by 1.0% in comparison to October-December. The economists polled had predicted a growth of 0.6%. The Norwegian crown currency rose against the Euro to 11,62 at 0609 GMT, from 11,63 before the release of data. spring budget proposal The central bank of Norway had predicted that the economy on the Norwegian mainland would grow by 0.6% during the first quarter, compared to the last three months in 2024 when it contracted...

Fossil Fuels

CEZ proposes a dividend above the range and first-quarter profits are higher than estimates

CEZ, the Czech electric company, proposed a dividend of 47 crowns ($2.11) for each share on Thursday. This is 80% less than last year's profit. It was also lower than a previous payout 52 crowns. Dividends are paid out at a rate of 60 to 80 percent of net profit, which is the typical payout for the company. CEZ's shares closed at 1,194 crowns on Wednesday and are up 30% over the last year. CEZ reported earlier this year a 9% decline in the 2024 adjusted net profits to 31.8 billion crowns. It confirmed on Thursday its outlook for the...

Natural Gas Utilities

What are the risks and outlines of a potential Ukraine peace deal?

What are the possible contours of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine? SECURITY GUARANTEE Ukraine, which has been subjected to a full scale invasion in 2022, and witnessed Russia annex Crimea, needs security guarantees from major powers, primarily the United States. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994, in which the U.S., Russia and Britain agreed to refrain from using force against Ukraine and respect Ukrainian sovereignty was not enough for the Ukrainian government. The powers agreed to take the matter to the United Nations Security Council in the event of an attack on Ukraine. Sources involved in the talks say...

Western Europe

Middle East

Oil & Gas

IEA predicts a slowdown in the growth of global oil demand for the remainder of 2025

The International Energy Agency (IEA), said Thursday that economic headwinds and record sales of electric cars will reduce global oil consumption growth to 650,000 barrels a day for the rest of 2025. This is a significant drop from the 990 000 bpd that the IEA estimated for the demand growth between January and March. In its oil market report for May, the IEA stated that "increased trade uncertainties are expected to have a negative impact on the global economy, and by extension, the oil demand." IEA expects the global demand to grow by 740,000 bpd this year. This is an...

Fossil Fuels

Gulf markets dull as global stock rally loses momentum

The majority of Gulf stocks were flat on Thursday morning, with oil prices falling and Asian stock markets declining after the initial excitement from eased trade tensions started to fade. Investors waited for more signals. Brent crude futures fell more than 2% and U.S. Crude also dropped. The global stock market had earlier in the week rejoiced over the truce between the U.S. and China trade war. However, the rally was lost as investors took a pause to assess the situation and its impact on the economy. Dubai's main stock index was the sole market in the region to choose...

Oil & Gas Refining

Sources say that Indian billionaire Ambani will meet Trump and Qatar's emir at Doha

Mukesh ambani, the Indian billionaire, will meet with Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Qatar's emir in Doha, according to two sources. His company, Reliance Industries, is looking to strengthen ties between authorities in both countries. Qatar's sovereign fund, QIA has invested in Reliance over the years. Ambani is Asia's wealthiest man and has many business relationships with U.S. technology giants like Google and Meta. Ambani is attending a state dinner in Doha for Trump, but he does not intend to have any business or investment discussions. This was confirmed by the first source who has direct knowledge...

Oil & Gas

Residents of Libya's capital are trapped in the most intense fighting they have seen for years

Witnesses in Tripoli said that the most intense clashes since years continued through Wednesday morning after Monday's death of a key militia leader sparked fighting between rival groups. The United Nations Libya Mission UNSMIL expressed its "deep alarm" at the violence escalating in Tripoli's densely populated areas and called for an immediate ceasefire. The latest unrests in Libya's capital follow battles that seemed to consolidate Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah's power as prime minister of the divided government of National Unity (GNU), and an ally of Turkey. Any prolonged fighting in Tripoli could attract factions outside of the capital. This could lead to...

Oil & Gas

Libyan capital is rocked by the most intense fighting in years

Witnesses in Tripoli said that the most intense clashes since years continued through Wednesday morning after Monday's death of a key militia leader sparked fighting between rival groups. The United Nations Libya Mission UNSMIL expressed its "deep alarm" at the violence escalating in Tripoli's densely populated areas and called for an immediate ceasefire. The latest unrests in Libya's capital may consolidate Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah's power. He is the prime minister of the divided Government of National Unity of Libya (GNU), and an ally of Turkey. Libya has seen little stability since an uprising in 2011 backed by NATO ousted Muammar Gadaffi,...

Fossil Fuels

Aramco's first-quarter profits drop by nearly 5%

Aramco, the Saudi oil giant, reported on Sunday a drop of 4.6% in its first-quarter profits due to lower sales. The top oil exporter in the world reported a net profit of 97.54 riyals (about $26,01 billion) for the three-month period ended March 31. This was higher than the median estimate of 16 analysts, which was $25.36 billion. Aramco has confirmed the previously announced $21.36 billion total dividends for first quarter. Of this, $219 millions were performance-linked dividends. This mechanism was introduced in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine and oil prices soared. Aramco said in March that it would declare...

Mining

Sources say that Guinea wants to revoke EGA's license over the alumina refinery dispute

People familiar with the matter said that the Guinean government's decision to revoke Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA's) mining license was due to the company's failure in fulfilling its commitment to build an alumina refining plant. Reports on Wednesday indicated that Guinea had begun a process of revoking the EGA license, intensifying a dispute which began in October when the Emirati firm's mining and bauxite-export operations were suspended. Guinea's move, as the second largest bauxite producer in the world, could disrupt global supply chains for aluminium and signal the country's increasing hostility toward foreign miners, especially since the September 2021 junta...

Energy Markets

US sanctions against third China teapot refinery and ports

The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump imposed sanctions against a third independent Chinese oil refinery - also known as a "teapot", and port terminal operators from China on Thursday for purchasing Iranian oil. The U.S. Treasury has designated three terminal operators and the Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co in China. The Trump administration has targeted the independent Chinese refinery as part of its efforts to reduce Iran's revenue from exports and to pressurize Tehran to reach a nuclear deal. The U.S. Treasury issued a statement saying that "so long as Iran tries to generate oil revenue to fund its...

Refined Products

OPEC's April oil production is lower despite plans to increase, survey finds

A survey shows that OPEC's oil production fell in April despite a planned increase in output. This was due to a reduction in Venezuelan supplies in response to renewed U.S. efforts to reduce the flow of oil and smaller drops in Iraq, Libya, and Libya. According to a survey released on Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) produced 26.60 millions barrels of oil per day in March, a decrease of 30,000 barrels per days from the total for the month of March. This was due to a reduction by some producers, which was offset by an increase...

Mineral Resources

Sources say that Guinea has cancelled EGA's mining license

Two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday that Guinea had begun a process of withdrawing Emirates Global Aluminium’s mining license in the West African country. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), which is owned equally by Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala, and Dubai sovereign fund Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), operates one of Guinea's largest bauxite mining operations through its Guinea Alumina Corporation subsidiary. The company is in a dispute over the customs duty with the Guinean government since October of last year, when the authorities suspended its bauxite mining and export operations. We have withdrawn the mining license of...

Oil & Gas

Port Sudan shook by explosions, army claims to have intercepted drones

Sudan's army claimed that its anti-aircraft system intercepted drones on Wednesday, which were targeting the largest naval base of the country in Port Sudan, the country's wartime capital. There were explosions heard in the city. It was not immediately known if they were near Flamingo's base. Port Sudan was the target of days of attacks, including drone strikes reported by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. These assaults have destroyed the country's largest fuel depots as well as its main humanitarian aid gateway. Port Sudan has enjoyed relative peace since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023 between the...

Fossil Fuels

Oil prices rise as the market looks at US-China trade negotiations and lower US output

Investors focused on U.S. China trade talks and signs that U.S. oil production is declining. Brent crude futures rose 44 cents a bar, or 0.7% to $62,59 a bar by 0400 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 50 cents or 0.9% at $59.59 a gallon. The benchmarks fell to a 4-year low after OPEC+ decided to increase output. This fueled fears of an oversupply, at a time that U.S. Tariffs are increasing concerns about demand. Brent crude is trading higher on news that the U.S. will begin trade talks with China this weekend, extending a rally in oil, said...