Exclusive US firm HKN Energy takes over 7 oil fields from Syria's Kurds HKN Energy has begun operating seven oil fields under a 25-year agreement with Damascus, marking the first major production-sharing deal between Syria's new government and an international oil company. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explainer US strategic oil stockpile nears four-decade low as Iran war drags on The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 349.2 million barrels amid the global energy shock caused by the war in Iran. United States
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Venezuela’s Delcy Rodriguez meets Erdogan in surprise Turkey visit: What to know Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited Turkey as part of Caracas' post-Maduro diplomatic outreach, seeking to deepen ties with Ankara in energy, trade and mining despite the continued constraints of remaining US sanctions. Turkey
Israel, Azerbaijan announce landmark deal for sale of two satellites Israel Aerospace Industries and Azeri space agency Azercosmos announced the signing of an agreement for the sale of two Israeli-developed satellites. Israel
Saudi Arabia, Russia to extend voluntary oil cuts to tighten supply The announcement from the two most powerful members of the OPEC+ group came hours before ministers from the cartel of oil-producing nations were set to meet virtually on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
Eni, Qatar Energy, TotalEnergies bid for Lebanon offshore gas exploration fields The three energy companies, which are already operating in another block in Lebanese waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, submitted their tenders for offshore exploration in blocks 8 and 10. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia projects $21 billion deficit as economy diversifies from oil The kingdom was among the world’s fastest-growing economies last year with almost 9% GDP growth after a petrodollar boom amid a global rise in energy prices due to inflation and the Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco makes first global LNG investment with US MidOcean stake MidOcean Energy is in the midst of buying interests in four LNG projects in Australia as part of its growth strategy. Saudi Arabia
UAE’s Masdar to triple Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant The new agreement between Masdar and Indonesian power utility PLN Nusantara Power will launch Phase II of the Cirata floating solar plant in the Indonesian province of West Java. United Arab Emirates
QatarEnergy, BP, others snap up Egyptian oil and gas concessions Four blocks have been awarded one day into international bidding for the exploration of Egypt's 23 open oil and gas blocks. Egypt
Oman's oil and gas sector drives 30% GDP growth in 2022 Oman’s hydrocarbon sector growth rate was 61.6% from 2021 to 2022, compared to non-hydrocarbon sector growth at 16.9% during the same period, according to the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) 2022 Annual Report. Oman
UAE, other Gulf states shift from talk to action on carbon capture tech The idea of capturing and storing carbon emissions instead of letting them enter the atmosphere is gaining momentum in some parts of the Gulf region. It is also the necessary tool to rebrand hydrogen produced from fossil fuels from "gray" to "blue." Legacy: Gulf
Middle East can supply world's clean energy, says Biden's energy envoy Amos J. Hochstein said the key lies in the effective transport of the region’s abundance of wind, sun and minerals to maintain its energy leadership. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Bomesc to build $220M Qatar offshore oil, gas facility for Italy’s Saipem The Tianjin-based engineering, procurement and construction company will build the compression facility for an oil and gas field off the coast of northern Qatar for industrial machine manufacturer Servizi Energia Italia. Qatar
In letter to Biden, Barzani warns of Iraqi Kurdistan's collapse, urges mediation KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's letter to Biden is aimed at jolting the administration into action as tensions rise between Erbil and Baghdad. Iraq
