Jun 2021

Firms hope that tapping geothermal energy will help Google’s operations become completely decarbonised

The June 2021 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!

As interest and investment in the hydrogen market grows, companies will look to protect their investments

As interest and investment in the hydrogen market grows, companies will look to protect their investments

The gas industry must build on incentives such as the US’ 45Q tax break to develop the technology vital to its future within the energy transition

Natural gas will be an essential part of Japan’s plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and beyond

The domestic shale sector is generating considerable returns, with many operators planning to increase dividends

Offsetting the carbon produced by export cargoes is gaining popularity but still needs better data overview

Volumes will rise along with temperatures amid rising demand and storage requirements

Opportunity to bring together UK and EU markets, but China’s new scheme lacks compatibility with other systems

The $220mn acquisition gives BP solar projects across 12 US states, with largest portfolios in Texas and the Midwest

Welcome to the new Renewables Projects Playbook from Transition Economist & Global Energy Infrastructure, part of the Gulf Energy Information group.

Fossil fuels still account for 43pc of energy spending, with same proportion expected for next year, the agency says

Rising decarbonisation costs make coastal US refiners vulnerable to expanding Asian export capacity

The new Pioneer award is open to applicants of all genders to celebrate leadership in LNG

The new Pioneer award is open to applicants of all genders to celebrate leadership in LNG

Project designed to curb offshore emissions ahead of target and power large-scale green hydrogen production

The oil market veteran sees further price upside

Countries launch the second phase of the Mission Innovation programme to accelerate clean technology investments and bring down cost of hydrogen

Savannah is the latest independent to see opportunity in mature African assets, as another major seeks an out

The industry needs to ensure information on its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint is accurate and standardised

PE Media Network’s Libya Investment Forum will provide all the information companies need to get involved

The greater human toll of the latest spike in coronavirus cases is not mirrored in India’s hydrocarbons markets

After being battered by unprecedented weather events and demand loss over the past year, the industry is hoping for much-needed market stability

Carbon intensity of upstream production could become a mere sideshow as and when decisions are made over the allocation of a barrel of oil’s carbon footprint across the value chain

Carbon intensity of upstream production could become a mere sideshow as and when decisions are made over the allocation of a barrel of oil’s carbon footprint across the value chain

Tolerance for perceived political risk has expanded, but such complacency could be dangerous

Saudi Arabia’s renewables ambitions extend beyond mere domestic electricity provision

Gas is caught between present reliance on coal and future growth for renewables

The domestic downstream sector is bouncing back on healthier margins, but the energy transition threat still looms large

Oil sands producers will need to make drastic changes if they are going to survive the next few decades

First quarter results thus far point to a solid recovery. The rest of the year could be even better

Transition funding will be targeted at regions that are still reliant on coal, lignite, peat and oil shale

Region’s industrial base sits adjacent to large natural carbon storage province located offshore in shallow waters

High costs of financing and other risks hold back investment in markets where it is most needed to curb emissions

The Dangote refinery development is raising hopes of a refinery sector revival

No rush for a production rebound makes sense. But it may impact on the long-term attractiveness of a career in oil

The awards will be the first to focus exclusively on technology within the energy sector

Biden’s low-carbon pledge could mean tighter regulations and punishment for serial emitters

Rising natural gas demand could provide sustained hit to state decarbonisation plans

Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor Energy will cut operational emissions of oil sands production

Flow of money into emerging industry faces bottlenecks as investors grapple with uncertainty over regulation and bankability

Flow of money into emerging industry faces bottlenecks as investors grapple with uncertainty over regulation and bankability

The Singapore-headquartered trader is able to do more, and boost profit, due to enhanced access to credit

Hydrogen key to tackling hard-to-abate sectors, but reaching Paris goals will require a wider arsenal of fuels and technologies, roundtable panellists say

Hydrogen key to tackling hard-to-abate sectors, but reaching Paris goals will require a wider arsenal of fuels and technologies, roundtable panellists say

Biden administration will start to have greater impact on company strategies as its carbon plans become substantive legislation

BP and a Temasek subsidiary sign a long-term LNG supply deal with a full-cycle emissions ambition

Tehran is stepping up its solar and wind power drive to offset gas and hydropower shortages

Firm will use green and transition bonds to finance various emissions reductions projects

Consortium with Statkraft and Aker Offshore targets Sorlige Nordsjo II ‎licence area

Relative stability is bolstering the North African nation’s rehabilitation programme, although significant investment challenges remain

The French major plans to produce 190,000bl/d from six fields at the Tilenga development

Far from looking towards the sunset of oil and gas production, the Scandinavian nation is keen to build up a better picture of reserves even where E&P is not yet allowed

A former trader proves an illuminating guide to the messy and ad hoc way that multi-billion dollar crude markets have been born and developed

Rules for new prospects should be extended to mature fields, according to the domestic producer

Soft skills gain importance as leaders steer course to a just transition to net zero

Many skills transferable but redeployment of staff from fossil fuel business also requires new approach to learning

Disappointing Cambodian exploration results seal Singaporean independent’s fate

Disappointing Cambodian exploration results seal Singaporean independent’s fate

The Omani government’s focus is reluctantly shifting to managing output decline

State energy firm will step up its investments in renewables and low-carbon solutions from 4pc of overall spending to 50pc in 2030

Countries to focus on accelerating progress of technologies including hydrogen, batteries and carbon capture, usage and storage

NCS operator Lundin is touting its ‘green’ Johan Sverdrup barrels. Its CEO argues that represents it doing its bit

NCS operator Lundin is touting its ‘green’ Johan Sverdrup barrels. Its CEO argues that represents it doing its bit

Emissions trading reignited as market takes centre stage as carbon abatement driver

The commodity trader believes its reduced focus on liquids trading compared with its peers could offer it an advantage in the energy transition

The commodity trader believes its reduced focus on liquids trading compared with its peers could offer it an advantage in the energy transition

A second US exit from the Paris Agreement would seriously damage capital flows to clean energy, says investor

Efforts to can Mexico’s historic energy reforms face further hurdles after government fails to sweep Congressional mid-terms

State-owned Pertamina may see further expansion of its role if more international firms exit without finding alternative buyers

Energy consumers must travel less and move to electric vehicles, according to the former BP CEO

Lower rates of return and competition for assets pose challenges as producers and traders seek to scale up in renewables

Purchase of three development projects in Spain follows recent solar expansions in Portugal and Greece

Production from the Liza project is ramping up, but operators still have plenty of exploration options ahead

The firm’s NCS near-field exploration strategy pays off again

Abu Dhabi has resumed the chase towards long-term capacity targets

Blue hydrogen will be crucial to the development of green hydrogen economy, says speakers at Citizens Energy Congress panel

Oman sells first carbon-neutral cargo while Qatar sets sights on major expansion of low-carbon supply from North Field East

The company might not have given up on its Kenyan ambitions

Current state of battery technology better suited for smaller cars popular in Europe

The IOC is moving towards Industry 4.0 by building its own AI-based analytics platform

A range of available tools and scalable technologies is helping drive the hydrocarbons industry towards a low methane future

A digital twin approach allows operators to test scenarios at speed, making the whole lifecycle safer and more efficient

A digital twin approach allows operators to test scenarios at speed, making the whole lifecycle safer and more efficient

The pivot to digital will make the energy sector less carbon-intensive and more sustainable

The pivot to digital will make the energy sector less carbon-intensive and more sustainable

The trader raises the possibility of $100/bl crude next year

Firm will reduce carbon intensity of oil production, invest in offshore wind, and look to CCS and hydrogen

The expansion to Nigeria’s liquefaction capacity will face growing global competition

Oil Sands Pathway offers sector renewed long-term hope

Middle Eastern NOCs have turned to the downstream to take greater control over the global supply chain

New technologies will only develop through effective partnerships, say Orsted and RWE

New entrants face lengthy applications and obligation to invest in system

Oil major on track to meet 2025 renewables target and will grow earnings from oil despite production cuts

QP CEO says offers to buy top 60mn t/yr, but an increase in spot market volumes should still not be ruled out

Liquid electricity trading markets in Africa can attract private sector investment and support the UN’s goal of access to affordable energy for all

Liquid electricity trading markets in Africa can attract private sector investment and support the UN’s goal of access to affordable energy for all

Seabed can yield cobalt and other key transition minerals, but industry needs legal framework and technology to mitigate environmental impact

Seabed can yield cobalt and other key transition minerals, but industry needs legal framework and technology to mitigate environmental impact

Costs could fall even further, based on analysis of data from some utility-scale solar PV projects

As European gas prices rise, the region’s discount to Asia-Pacific is decreasing

Firm has built a portfolio of companies with good growth prospects on the supply and demand sides of the energy transition

Existing Ras Laffan trains could cover costs even if LNG prices went to zero

The previously exploration-focused firm has expanded its footprint offshore Brazil and is now eyeing further production opportunities

The Australian firm plans to achieve net-zero emissions from its Pluto LNG project in Western Australia by 2050

Focus must switch away from individual parts of the value chain towards large projects to accelerate progress

Climate and carbon dominated the recent Appea conference

Concerned about supply security, Australia plans to fund its last two refineries standing for at least the next six years.

Lisarb Energy sees spike in interest from corporate offtakers to lock in contracts before rise in grid costs for solar projects

Carbon capture and hydrogen high on agenda, but good returns from hydrocarbons still a priority

Carbon capture and hydrogen high on agenda, but good returns from hydrocarbons still a priority

Other US states expected to follow Maine’s lead, especially heavily Democratic ones on east and west coast

Firm sets aggressive new 2050 decarbonisation promise with rare scope three emissions detail

Firm sets aggressive new 2050 decarbonisation promise with rare scope three emissions detail

The auctioning process for the Transfer of Rights fields has been streamlined, and hopes are high for a better showing at the end of the year

New projects are steadily making progress, but there is still the long-term uncertainty of a permanent federal lease ban

Despite oil companies the world over mothballing old refineries and putting new projects on hold, there has been a recent bustle of activity in sub-Saharan Africa

Verification can decouple the blue or green attribute from the physical flow of hydrogen

Verification can decouple the blue or green attribute from the physical flow of hydrogen

Extreme market volatility is subsiding, tempting operators to acquire promising assets and lift production

Current government commitments only cover less than half of the required emissions reduction to 2035

Development of liquid markets will require sufficient marketable hydrogen volumes as well as free access to pipelines, terminals and storages

Development of liquid markets will require sufficient marketable hydrogen volumes as well as free access to pipelines, terminals and storages

No longer having to choose between price and market share means the cartel does not need to rush to ease cuts, says analyst

Iran may face crude transportation bottlenecks if and when sanctions are lifted

Baghdad’s revisiting on contractual terms may need to be radical to stop IOC flight and offer alternatives to China

Arrival of electric pick up trucks on US consumer vehicle market could help solve Texas grid problems

Iconic Western Canadian company advances hydrogen strategy on several fronts on the back of bullish long-term outlook for industry

Net zero by 2050 requires capacity growth twice as fast as currently forecast through 2030

Different segments of the South African state are in dispute over plans to employ more gas-fired generation capacity, in the form of powerships