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
Iran inks deal with Pakistan as pipeline project drags The five-year partnership seeks to facilitate and double the current bilateral trade, which has been complicated by US sanctions on doing business with Tehran. Iran
UAE’s ADNOC buys stake in Azerbaijan gas field The move follows a wind and solar energy deal between an Emirati firm and Azerbaijan. Legacy: Gulf
Eni ends 9-year force majeure status for Libyan gas exploration sites Eni is Libya’s largest gas producer and domestic market supplier with an 80% share of national production. Libya
Canadian energy firm to develop major oil field in Turkey’s Kurdish southeast A Canadian firm will help Turkey develop its new oil field in Sirnak province. Turkey
Iran's oil shipments to China triple in 3 years despite sanctions Iran’s strengthening ties to China have prompted some senators to call for more sanctions. Iran
In Gaza, pressure builds on Hamas to solve power crisis amid heat wave Palestinian activists in the Gaza Strip are launching campaigns to pressure Hamas into resolving the power crisis, which has worsened this past month due to a severe heat wave. Palestine
Kuwait to begin drilling in disputed gas field with Iran Kuwait and Saudi Arabia’s dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field is coming amid improved ties between Iran and the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
UAE joins India's Global Biofuel Alliance on clean energy ahead of COP28 The UAE minister of energy and infrastructure announced Wednesday that his country is a willing participant in the global alliance and has been investing heavily in biofuels. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi oil exports hit new low, dropping by more than one-third In May of this year, Saudi Arabia’s value of oil exports hit a low of just over $19 billion, reported the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics. This includes both crude and refined products. Saudi Arabia
Dampened China demand driving up Middle East purchases of Russian oil China's appetite for fuel oil has been slowly increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic when the country implemented some of the strictest lockdowns in the world. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Aramco acquires $3.4 billion stake in a China petrochemical firm The world’s biggest oil exporter is making further inroads in China, Saudi Arabia’s top customer for crude. Saudi Arabia
Algeria, China sign 19 agreements during Tebboune's visit, including energy, technology Xi Jinping received Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his delegation at Beijing's Great Hall of the People to discuss bilateral relations. Algeria