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Tower Resources Lines Up ADES Jack-Up Rig for Cameroon Drilling Op
Tower Resources, the AIM-listed oil and gas company focused on Africa, has issued a Letter of Award (LoA) to Advanced Energy Systems (ADES), an affiliate of Saudi firm ADES Holding, for the provision of a jack-up rig for drilling job in Central Africa.The rig proposed under the LoA is ADES’ Admarine 510, which will be put in charge of drilling the NJOM-3 well on Tower's Thali license in Cameroon in the fourth quarter 2025.The Admarine 510, a GustoMSC CJ-46-X100-D triangular design three-legged jack-up unit, built in 2019, and capable of operating in water depth up to 375 ft, is just completing its five-yearly recertification project in Bahrain.The rig has also recently been awarded a contract with Addax Petroleum for operations in Cameroon, to start in late 2025, and it is intended that the rig will drill the NJOM-3 well for Tower before beginning operations with Addax Petroleum.ADES Secures Jack-Up Drilling Rig Contract in AfricaThe commercial terms of the ADES proposal to TRCSA are confidential, but the fact that the Admarine 510 was already committed to move to Cameroon for other operators has facilitated the discussions with the rig owner and resulted in more favorable terms than the owner could have offered otherwise.The terms are well in line with the company's previous projections and compare very favorably to offers received from other rig owners earlier this year and last year.The LoA is subject to contract and usual conditions precedent, including receipt of government approvals in Cameroon and completion of TRCSA's farm-out to Prime Global Energies Limited as announced on in January 2025."We are delighted to make this award, and are looking forward to working with ADES on the NJOM-3 well this year. Our rig selection process has been made a little more complex by the opportunity to coordinate our timing with that of other nearby oil and gas companies, including Addax Petroleum in particular, however I believe it has resulted in a very good commercial outcome for all parties,” said Jeremy Asher, Tower Resources Chairman and CEO.
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North Sea O&G Operators Opt for Flylogix Drones to Tackle Methane Emissions
Flylogix, the operator of next generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has secured contracts with several leading oil and gas operators to help tackle the industry’s methane emissions.Worth seven figures accumulatively, the contracts include a multi-year deal for Shell’s offshore and onshore assets serving the North Sea, alongside other major installations including the Ithaca Energy-operated Cygnus, one of the UK’s largest-producing gas fields.New deals, which also include the one with Equinor, will see drone flights for 16 U.K. oil and gas platforms and onshore terminals.Flylogix operates long distance ‘mini planes’ from sites in Aberdeenshire and Fareham, using its UAV technology to monitor methane emissions.“These awards are testament to the industry’s commitment to tackle offshore emissions on the path to net zero while meeting the U.K.’s vital energy needs.“Flylogix’s solution allows operators to receive timely data without the cost, emissions, or safety implications of sending crews offshore,” said Charles Tavner, Flylogix CEO.The work has been awarded to Flylogix as a revolutionary new airspace trial is set to take place with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).The year-long trial, due to begin this summer, will allow for long-distance drones to fly more freely in North Sea airspace, alongside other aircraft including helicopters. “The potential for this technology will only grow as we gear up for the CAA trial this summer, allowing our drones to fly more frequently to support oil and gas, defence, and renewables,” added Tavner.
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Oil prices fall as markets evaluate the outcome of US-China trade talks
The oil prices in Asian trade fell on Wednesday, as the markets assessed the results of U.S. - China trade talks that have yet to be reviewed and analyzed by President Donald Trump. Weak Chinese demand for oil, along with OPEC+'s production increase, weighed on the market. Brent crude futures fell 19 cents or 0.3% to trade at $66.680 per barrel. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude dropped 16 cents or 0.3% to $64.82 as of 0318 GMT. U.S. officials and Chinese officials have agreed on a framework for re-establishing their trade truce and resolving China's export limitations on rare earth minerals, magnets and other materials. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Tuesday after two days of intensive negotiations in London. "The current price corrections are a combination of technical profit-taking, and caution in the lead-up to (the official) announcement between US-China," said Phillip Nova. Senior market analyst Priyanka Sahdeva. Lutnick said that Trump would be informed of the results before giving his approval. Tony Sycamore is a market analyst at IG. He said, "I think that it will remove some downside risks for crude oil. This includes the Chinese economy, and it will stabilize the U.S. economic ship. Both of these should support crude oil demand and price." OPEC+, on the other hand, plans to increase its oil production in July by 411,000 barrels a day as it seeks to undo production cuts for a 4th consecutive month. However, some analysts do not expect regional demand to absorb these excess barrels. Hamad Hussain, climate and commodities analyst at Capital Economics and a noted expert on oil prices, said that a greater oil demand in OPEC+ countries - notably Saudi Arabia – could offset the additional supply of the group and support the oil price. Brent crude will still fall to $60pb at the end of the year, despite any seasonal boost in demand. The Energy Information Administration (the statistical arm of U.S. Department of Energy) will release its weekly report on U.S. crude oil inventories on Wednesday. According to sources citing American Petroleum Institute data on Tuesday, crude stocks dropped by 370,000 barrels in the past week. On Monday, analysts polled by expected that U.S. crude stockpiles would fall by 2 million barrels during the week ending June 6, but distillate and gasoline stocks are likely to rise.
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Analysts' reactions to the US-China Trade Agreement
U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick stated that restrictions on magnets and rare earths should be resolved as a result of a framework for trade and implementing plan with China agreed in London. Li Chenggang, Vice Minister of Commerce in China, said that the two teams agreed to implement their Geneva consensus. They would then take the framework agreed upon back to their respective leaders. Market reaction: The dollar and share markets were cautious, with S&P futures down by 0.3%. They awaited more details and to see if the decision would last. QUOTES: CHRIS WESTON HEAD OF RESEARCH PEPPERSTONE MELBOURNE The devil is in the detail, but the lack reaction indicates that this outcome was fully expected. The Geneva agreement is a good thing, but the fact that there was no reaction on S&P500 Futures and only small movements in CNH and AUD suggests the outcome was expected. Details matter, particularly the amount of rare earths going to the US and the freedom of US chips to go East. But for now, as long as headlines about the talks between the parties are positive, risk assets will be supported. The reaction of Chinese equity markets could be telling, and I suspect US equity Futures will closely track the developments today." LIN GENGWEI is the co-founder and CEO of RAIN TREE PARTNERS in Singapore. Both sides are willing and under pressure to reach a deal. The Sino-U.S. Rivalry will continue to persist despite the temporary success of these talks. The U.S. may ease restrictions on chip exports from China in response to both pressures from Beijing and the domestic semiconductor industry. MARK DONG, CO-FOUNDER OF MINORITY ASSET MANAGEMENT, HONG KONG: This is good news for the market. There's now a bottom-line that neither side will cross. Both sides will work to reduce the trade deficit. MICHAEL McCARTHY, CHIEF OFFICER MOOMOO AUSTRALIA SYDNEY "I will be watching how bonds trade on this day in light of it." Currency markets seem to be taking this in stride and equity markets have returned to their all-time highs. Since weeks, the market has been anticipating this deal. It will be positive for the market, as a result of a weaker dollar and higher equities. But it is not a major change. CAROL KONG CURRENCY STRATEGIST, COMMONWEALTH BBANK OF AUSTRALIAN, SYDNEY "I believe in this climate...any hints of progress on a possible trade agreement will be beneficial for the markets. Although details are scarce, I believe that markets will be pleased as long as both sides are in communication. "It's going to be hard for both sides and take a very long time before they can reach a comprehensive agreement." This type of comprehensive agreement usually takes years to reach, so I am skeptical that the framework agreed upon at the London meeting will be comprehensive. "Tensions may have de-escalated temporarily, but will escalate in the coming months." RAY ATTRILL HEAD OF FOREX STRATEGY, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK SYDNEY "The devil will be in the detail of what I call a handshake deal and, more importantly, if this can help to reestablish the trust between President Xi, and President Trump which was clearly broken since the Geneva Agreement has been published. It's too early to declare that we are in the process of creating a new, cast-iron US-China trading agreement. "The entire year was littered by positive omens of reaching agreements, but we haven't seen any real progress. Or we've seen a backsliding in things that seemed to be agreed. "Our view remains that, whatever is agreed upon in the next few weeks and months will result in a global situation that is worse than what existed before Trump was elected president. We'll still have a tariff climate that we believe is detrimental to global growth." TONY SYCAMORE MARKET ANALYST IG SYDNEY If we maintain the terms of the Geneva Agreement we will see US tariffs for Chinese goods remaining at 30% for some time, and Chinese tariffs for US goods remaining at 10%. This is a reduction from 145% and 125%, respectively. This would be amazing. "That was the consensus for me...and people are now trying to decide whether they want to buy or sell the US Dollar and I think that is a reflection of this indecision. I thought that Geneva would be extended and it appears we are getting what I expected. This is why the U.S. equity market has held up at this time. They still seem overcooked to me and I think they should pull back. We've had a great run, and now we're pushing up against our February record highs. For me, I think it's a good idea for them to take some time off. It has not exceeded expectations and it is also not below expectations. It's exactly where I expected we would land, and that's the reason I think there's now a bit of uncertainty in US equity futures."
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Iron ore prices rise as traders celebrate Sino-US trade progress
Prices of iron ore futures rose on Wednesday as progress was made in trade negotiations between the two world's largest economies. However, uncertainty about a final deal and a softening in steel demand limited further gains. After two days of intense negotiations in London, officials from the United States, the largest iron ore buyer in the world, and China, which is the second-largest consumer, have agreed on a framework that will put their trade truce on track. This has helped to boost prices by boosting the market sentiment. China buys over two thirds of the global seaborne supply. As of 0219 GMT, the most traded September iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was up 0.86% to 706 yuan (98.24 dollars) per metric ton. The contract lost nearly 1% of its value on Tuesday. The benchmark July Iron Ore at the Singapore Exchange rose 0.55% to $94.9 per ton. Coking coal and coke, which are used to make steel, have both gained in value, rising by 1.35% and 0.67 percent, respectively. Steel benchmarks at the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose on higher raw material costs, but weak downstream demand limited gains. Rebar grew by 0.61%. Hot-rolled coil grew by 0.81%. Wire rod climbed 0.55%. Stainless steel fell 0.28%. Galaxy Futures analysts said that "Steel consumption is rapidly declining as we enter the off-peak season." The state-backed China Iron and Steel Association, which is concerned about the stability of the market, called for a boycott on Tuesday to stop the "rat race" style of competition. This was in response to spillover effects from the fierce price war between domestic automakers.
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Gold prices rise as US-China trade tensions persist and investors watch inflation data
The gold price edged up on Wednesday, as investors awaited key U.S. Inflation data to determine the direction of the market. As of 0153 GMT, spot gold was up 0.2% at $3,328.89 per ounce. U.S. Gold Futures rose 0.2% to $3349.80. U.S. officials and Chinese officials have agreed on a framework for re-establishing their trade truce and resolving China's export limitations on rare earth minerals, magnets and other materials. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Tuesday after two days of intensive negotiations in London. Lutnick stated that the U.S. delegation plans to present the framework for President Donald Trump's approval before implementation. The Chinese delegation will also seek President Xi Jinping's endorsement. "We know the U.S.-China negotiators are in agreement on a framework,' but uncertainty lingers until Trump or Xi give their approval. This uncertainty is causing gold to rise in the inflation figures, said Matt Simpson a senior analyst with City Index. In April, the U.S. imposed tariffs on China that were tit for tat. This sparked a trade conflict. Both nations agreed, following talks held in Geneva last week, to reduce tariffs from triple-digit levels. The World Bank slashed Tuesday its global growth projection for 2025 to 2.3% from 4.10 percent, citing higher tariffs and increased uncertainty as a "significant headwind". Investors could get more information on the U.S. Federal Reserve policy direction from the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) due at 1230 GMT. Most economists polled believe that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates for a couple more months. This is because there are still risks of inflation resurging due to Trump's policies. Palladium rose 0.3%, to $1063.62, while platinum was down 0.4% at $1216.42. (Reporting and editing by Harikrishnan Nair, Alan Barona, and Anmol Choubey from Bengaluru)
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London copper market little changed as it awaits US-China Trade Talk details
London copper prices were virtually flat on Wednesday as investors awaited more details following the latest signs that progress had been made in U.S. China trade talks. U.S. officials and Chinese officials have agreed on a framework for re-establishing their trade truce and resolving China's export limitations on rare earth minerals, magnets and other materials. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Tuesday after two days of intensive negotiations in London. The London Metal Exchange's three-month contract for copper fell just $2 per ton, to $9,754.5, by 0105 GMT. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract remained unchanged at 79130 yuan ($11,010.16). After the talks, the dollar remained steady in comparison to its major counterparts. Carol Kong, currency analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia said, "It's going to be a very long time before both sides can reach a comprehensive agreement." "This type of comprehensive deal is usually reached over years, so I am sceptical that the framework agreed upon at the London meeting will be comprehensive." Aluminium gained 0.3%, to $2,499.5 per ton. Lead gained 0.2%, to $1,985.5. Nickel gained 0.1%, to $15,325. Zinc gained 0.2%, to 21,915 Yuan. Nickel fell by 0.2%, to 121370 Yuan. Lead eased by 0.1%, to 16,835 Yuan. Click or to see the latest news in metals, and other related stories. DATA/EVENTS 1230 US Core Consumer Price Index MM, SA, YY; NSA, May 1230 US Core Consumer Price Index MM; SA; YY; May 1230 US Wage Earner May ($1 = 7,1870 Chinese yuan); (Reporting and Editing by Sonia Cheema).
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Markets assess the outcome of US-China trade talks by lowering oil prices
The oil prices dropped in the early hours of Wednesday's trade as the markets assessed the outcome U.S. - China trade talks that President Donald Trump has yet to review. Weak Chinese demand for oil and OPEC+ increased production were also weighing on the market. Brent crude futures fell 24 cents or 0.36% to trade at $66.63 per barrel. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude dropped 21 cents or 0.32% to $64.77 as of 0119 GMT. U.S. officials and Chinese officials have agreed on a framework for re-establishing their trade truce and resolving China's export limitations on rare earth minerals, magnets and other materials. This was announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Tuesday after two days of intensive negotiations in London. Lutnick said that Trump would be informed of the results before giving his approval. Tony Sycamore is a market analyst at IG. He said, "I think that it will remove some downside risks for crude oil. This includes the Chinese economy, and it will stabilize the U.S. economic ship. Both of these should support crude oil demand and price." The oil import data released by China this week, as well as the ongoing production increases of OPEC+ (which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and its allies, such Russia), have contributed to the decline. OPEC+ will increase its oil production in July by 411,000 barrels a day as it attempts to undo production cuts for the fourth consecutive month. China's Customs data revealed this week that the world's largest oil importer imported 46.60 millions tonnes of crude in May. This is down 3% compared to the previous month. Imports of oil-related products also fell by 12.9%. The Energy Information Administration (the statistical arm of U.S. Department of Energy) will release its weekly report on U.S. crude oil inventories on Wednesday. According to analysts polled, U.S. crude stockpiles are expected to fall by 2,000,000 barrels during the week ending June 6, but distillate and gasoline stocks will likely rise. They estimate a greater decline in crude stock than the American Petroleum Institute. Sources said under condition of anonymity that the API reported Tuesday that crude stock fell by 370,000 barrels in the last week.
What next as China approaches peak aluminum production? Andy Home
China's aluminum production is approaching its capacity limit.
From just four million tons in 2004, massive investment in primary metals melting capacity has boosted Chinese production from only four million to 43 million tons by 2024. This is 60% of global output. The West has increasingly resisted China's increasing dominance in the global aluminum supply chain, first through trade complaints and antidumping duties, and then more recently with U.S. Tariffs.
China's semi-fabricated aluminum exports, which increased by 19% last year to a record of 6.2 million tonnes, were not affected.
Things are about to get better. The world is about to change.
Beijing's "Action Plan" on aluminium for 2025-2027 confirms that the cap will remain in place, and outlines a plan for what comes next.
TOUCHING the ceiling
According to the International Aluminium Institute, China's primary aluminum production increased by 2.6% on an annual basis in the first quarter 2025.
The average annualised production was 44 million tonnes between January and March, only a million ton short of the cap of 45 million tons set in 2017.
According to consultancy AZ Global, it is technically possible that the country's production could exceed the cap.
The capacity of a smelter is measured by the amperage designed for the electrolysis process. "One of the first tasks of any plant manager will be to push the output above the rate," the article says. The smelter can produce more than its capacity by increasing the amperage.
AZ China estimates China's capacity utilisation at 98.2%. This leaves little room for collective amperage to increase.
China's average annual growth rate of 4.0% over the past five years is beginning to slow down.
Going Green
Chinese operators continue to build new smelters. However, the new capacity will have to be offset by closing older capacity.
Beijing's policies in this sector focus on removing less-efficient capacity and ensuring that newer smelters use renewable energy sources.
Aluminium production is moving from coal-rich regions to new energy hubs such as Yunnan, with its hydropower and Inner Mongolia which has a massive wind and solar power potential.
The goal is to produce a greater amount of low-carbon metal. The action plan also calls for 30% of the national smelter's power to be generated by renewable energy by 2027.
Beijing wants to boost production by recycling scrap to reach a target of 15 million tons annually in 2027.
Reduced Exports
A second offset is already in effect. In December, the government eliminated tax rebates of 13% for exports of aluminum products. This was done to keep more metal on the domestic market.
Exports have slowed down sharply since then, with volumes outbound falling by 11% on an annual basis in January and Febraury.
Analysts at Macquarie Bank predict that exports will fall by 8% between 2025 and 2030. A more dramatic collapse is unlikely, as the world outside China relies heavily on its products for around 15% of the total demand.
Most Western buyers are likely to accept at least a part of the cost increase.
It is possible that Chinese aluminum exports have reached their peak.
REPRIEVE FOR WESTERN GENERALISERS?
Combining a slowdown in Chinese production growth with reduced exports opens up a window for the rest the world's primary aluminum producers.
Nearly a million tonnes of smelting capacity in the United States is idle. The 25% tariffs on aluminum imports imposed by President Donald Trump are meant to encourage restarts.
After the surge in power prices that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 2022, around half of Europe's primary smelting capacities are out of operation.
Although the structural changes implemented by the largest producer in the world may provide a reprieve for such plants, restarting idled capacities is also a matter of aluminium and electricity prices.
After years of low investments, there is renewed interest in greenfield smelters being built in the West. Century Aluminum, a U.S.-based producer, has received $500m in government funding for a project that will launch the United States' first new smelter since 1945. Rio Tinto has been studying low-carbon projects for smelters in Finland and India.
But the Chinese dominance will remain
Due to a lack of expansion opportunities in China, Chinese producers also look overseas. Beijing's aluminum action plan calls on deeper cooperation with resource rich nations like Guinea, where Chinalco has a project in place to convert Guinea's bauxite into alumina. Shandong Nanshan Aluminium, which produces alumina in Indonesia, plans to expand their refining capacities and add a smelter that can produce 260,000 tons of alumina per year.
China has stopped building its own capacity, but it appears that they have no plans to loosen their grip on a material classified by the United States as well as the European Union as a vital raw material.
These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.
(source: Reuters)