Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture Benchmark Brent crude surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching the highest levels yet seen during the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran
Turkey advances gas pipeline plan to northern Cyprus as East Med rivalry grows The Turkish energy minister said the country's oil and natural gas pipeline operator, BOTAS, has started the engineering work for the pipeline. Turkey
Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel The UAE accounts for 12% of OPEC's output, but tensions had been simmering over intragroup rivalries and the country wanting to export more oil. United Arab Emirates
What’s behind the Egypt, Cyprus rapprochement? Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have been taking steps to get closer to one another, culminating their rapprochement with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum that would obstruct the Turkish drilling for gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, according to observes. Egypt
Zarif says foreign ships making Gulf 'less safe' Iranian officials continue to push back against the naval presence of the United States and United Kingdom in the Persian Gulf. United States
Can Iran combat corruption in petroleum sector? Iran is showing a greater transparency about corruption, perhaps in part because of the problems caused by sanctions, but has a long way to defeat this scourge. Iran
PA mulls over importing fuel from Iraq The Palestinian Authority weighs its options to import fuel from Iraq through Jordan as a step toward economic disengagement from Israel, but will the Paris Protocol allow it to do so? Palestine
Why US companies seek role in Egyptian oil sector The Egyptian oil and natural gas market is witnessing a significant expansion of US companies and although some observers are concerned about this expansion, most agree that this reflects the stability and neutrality of the Egyptian market and is in its favor in the near and long terms. Qatar
Turkish muscle flexing in Mediterranean rekindles Cyprus peace efforts Turkey's aggressive behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean over drilling for gas has focused the minds of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders on getting back to the negotiating table. Turkey
Iraq plans to launch pipelines to export oil through Jordan, Syria Iraq plans to diversify its oil exports via new pipelines through Jordan and Syria. Iraq
EU downgrades diplomatic ties, funding with Turkey over Cyprus gas drilling Ankara remains undeterred as EU imposes punitive measures on Turkey over controversial gas drilling activities near Cyprus. Turkey
How Egypt promotes its fuel price increase An Egyptian government advertising campaign paves the way for a fuel price increase for the fifth time since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took power — but is this in the citizens’ best interest? Egypt
Eastern Mediterranean crisis balloons as Turkish drill ships multiply Disputes over oil and gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean have caused a spike in tensions between Ankara and Turkish Cypriots on the one side, and the EU and Greek Cypriots on the other. Turkey
Corrupt economy fuels Algerian revolt The North African country’s rentier model is collapsing. Algeria
Libya has outsized importance for Turkey's Mediterranean plans Turkey's hostility to Libyan forces led by Khalifa Hifter is part of an ongoing strategic power struggle in the region. United Arab Emirates
