Israel Shuts Leviathan Gas Field Amid Iran Conflict, Choking Supply To Egypt
Israel has ordered the shutdown of its massive Leviathan gas field, cutting off a critical supply line to Egypt just as regional tensions with Iran erupt into open conflict.
Chevron, the operator of Leviathan, confirmed the halt on Friday after Israel’s Energy Ministry issued the order, citing escalating security threats. Energean Plc also suspended output from its Israeli assets.
The Leviathan shutdown is already impacting gas flows to Egypt, according to Bloomberg sources close to the pipeline network.
Egypt, facing peak summer demand and a widening domestic gas shortfall, now faces the prospect of emergency LNG purchases ahead of schedule—tightening an already brittle global gas market. European gas prices spiked as much as 6.6% Friday on the news.
The Leviathan field, located in the Levant Basin, is Israel’s largest energy asset with 22.9 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas and had been exporting record volumes to Egypt—981 million cubic feet per day in 2024, an 18% year-over-year surge. Egypt, with declining domestic production and LNG export ambitions, had increasingly leaned on Israeli imports to fill the gap.
Chevron’s Tamar field remains operational, and Energean’s Karish field continues to serve domestic Israeli demand. But if shutdowns persist, Egypt’s LNG export capacity—and its own power grid—could be strained, and Jordan’s access to gas also stands at risk.
The timing is striking. Just months ago, Leviathan’s operators announced plans to expand capacity from 12 to 21 billion cubic meters, with eyes on Europe as a key customer. Now, the field is offline as Israel braces for retaliation after launching strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
For Egypt, the implications are immediate. For global gas traders, the situation underscores the fragility of East Med supply routes in a geopolitical flashpoint.
Chevron stated its personnel and infrastructure remain safe. But the gas isn’t flowing—and the regional energy balance just shifted overnight.
Source: oilprice.com
Israel’s Iran Strikes Kill Top Nuclear Scientists And Top Generals As Netanyahu Risks WW3
Israel has killed three top generals, including the leader of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, and a number of nuclear scientists in strikes on Iran. The Israeli military said more than 200 fighter jets were involved in the attacks which struck around 100 targets across Iran, with Tehran launching 100 drones in retaliation.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) says Iran’s three most senior military commanders were killed in the attacks, codenamed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, which focused on the “heart” of the country’s nuclear programme, as well as ballistic missile facilities and senior military leaders. It said Major General Hossein Salami; Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps paramilitary force, Major General Mohammad Bagheri; Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces and Major General Gholamali Rashid; Commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters were all killed. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of the chiefs and said six nuclear scientists had also died.
So far, five of the six scientists have been named as Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi and Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation.
Iranian state media claims civilians, including children in Tehran, have also been killed.
Israel launched the strikes in the early hours on Friday, describing them as “pre-emptive”.
Source: Express.co.uk
South Africa: Soweto Residents Stage A Three-Day Protest Over Power Outages
Residents of Meadowlands, in Soweto, South Africa, took to the streets for the third consecutive day on Thursday to protest power outages in the area, which are making life unbearable for them.
The angry residents blocked the streets with rocks and set car tires ablaze to express their displeasure over the poor power supply to the community.
According to reports, the area is already facing “load reduction” on a daily basis with scheduled power cuts, but for the past three weeks, there have been power outages sometimes lasting days at a time, according to the protesters.
In some parts of Meadowlands, electricity was out for four days last week, said resident Tshidiso Makamu. In other parts, there was no electricity for two days.
“There is no communication. We just find ourselves with no electricity without knowing what the issue is,” said Makamu. Community leaders say they were told the power outages were due to stolen cables.
Eskom Gauteng Spokesperson Amanda Qithi had not responded to questions at the time of publication. However, Eskom posted on X on Thursday afternoon that their technicians were unable to work in the area due to the protest.
“We urgently appeal to the community to allow our employees safe access to continue their work. Restoring electricity is in everyone’s best interest, but we will not compromise the safety of our staff,” the post read.
Protesters told newsmen that on Thursday morning, Eskom said power would be restored by 4 pm, but only if they stopped protesting. The protesters removed the debris blocking the streets to make way for Eskom’s teams.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
In some parts of Meadowlands, electricity was out for four days last week, said resident Tshidiso Makamu. In other parts, there was no electricity for two days.
“There is no communication. We just find ourselves with no electricity without knowing what the issue is,” said Makamu. Community leaders say they were told the power outages were due to stolen cables.
Eskom Gauteng Spokesperson Amanda Qithi had not responded to questions at the time of publication. However, Eskom posted on X on Thursday afternoon that their technicians were unable to work in the area due to the protest.
“We urgently appeal to the community to allow our employees safe access to continue their work. Restoring electricity is in everyone’s best interest, but we will not compromise the safety of our staff,” the post read.
Protesters told newsmen that on Thursday morning, Eskom said power would be restored by 4 pm, but only if they stopped protesting. The protesters removed the debris blocking the streets to make way for Eskom’s teams.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com Burkina Faso: IAEA And FAO Conduct First Atoms4Food Assessment Mission
In a critical step toward addressing food insecurity in West Africa, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have launched their first joint Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso.
This mission aims to identify key gaps and opportunities for delivering targeted technical support to Burkina Faso for food and agriculture in a country where an estimated 3.5 million people—nearly 20% of the population—are facing food insecurity.
By leveraging nuclear science and technology, Atoms4Food seeks to bolster agricultural resilience and agrifood systems in one of the region’s most vulnerable nations.
The mission, conducted from 26 May to 1 June, assessed how nuclear and related technologies are being used in Burkina Faso to address challenges in enhancing crop production, improving soil quality and in animal production and health, as well as human nutrition.
The Atoms4Food Initiative was launched jointly by IAEA and FAO in 2023 to help boost food security and tackle growing hunger around the world. Atoms4Food will support countries to use innovative nuclear techniques such as sterile insect technique and plant mutation breeding to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt agrifood systems to the challenges of climate change. Almost €9 million has been pledged by IAEA donor countries and private companies to the initiative so far.
As part of the Atoms4Food initiative, Assessment Missions are used to evaluate the specific needs and priorities of participating countries and identify critical gaps and opportunities where nuclear science and technology can offer impactful solutions. Based on the findings, tailored and country-specific solutions will be offered.
Burkina Faso is one of 29 countries who have so far requested to receive support under Atoms4Food, with more expected this year. Alongside Benin, Pakistan, Peru and Türkiye, Burkina Faso was among the first countries to request an Atoms4Food Assessment Mission in 2025.
In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.
“Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”
The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition.
During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.
“The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso.
“Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”
The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization.
“Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.
“Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”
The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition.
During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.
“The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso.
“Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”
The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization.
“Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Iran Says No Damage To Oil Facilities From Israeli Strikes
Iran’s oil refineries and fuel depots haven’t been damaged by the overnight Israeli strikes, the Iranian oil ministry said on Friday as the Islamic Republic vowed retaliation and began launching drones toward Israel.
“No damage was caused to the country’s refining facilities and oil depots, and currently the activities of these facilities and fuel supply are ongoing in all parts of the country without interruption,” Iran’s oil ministry said in a statement carried by Agence France-Presse (AFP). Late on Thursday, Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in what it describes as a decisive move to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear power.
Israel’s operation ‘Rising Lion’ targeted dozens of Iranian nuclear sites, military commanders, and research scientists to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, which Israel considers a threat to its survival.
Oil prices spiked 13% after the attack, but gains eased to 5% early in European trade on Friday as the market began to digest the events.
Iran vowed retaliation.
It has already launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, which Israel is working to intercept, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defin said on Friday.
The 13% oil price spike on Friday was the biggest intraday move for both Brent Crude and WTI Crude since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Both benchmarks traded above $70 per barrel in early European trade on Friday.
Despite the fact that Israel’s strikes didn’t hit Iranian oil infrastructure, the oil market fears a potential disruption to oil supply from the Middle East in case of further escalation.
The worst-case scenario would be a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the world close to Iran.
More than 20 million barrels of crude – around a fifth of global daily consumption – pass through the Strait every day.
Source: Oilprice.com Oil Prices Soar After Israel Attacks Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
Israel has launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in what it describes as a decisive move to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear power.
The Israeli military announced the operation on its official Telegram channel, stating that “dozens of fighter jets struck Iranian nuclear complexes in various parts of the country.”
The strikes immediately triggered a sharp reaction in global markets, sending oil, bonds, and gold rallying.
Brent crude surged by more than 7% in early Friday trading, as traders began pricing in the risk of major supply disruptions from a region that accounts for roughly one-third of the world’s oil production.
Oil is now on course for its largest weekly gain since 2022. Gold prices also rallied as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid the mounting geopolitical risk.
According to Israeli sources, the goal of the airstrikes is to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, viewed by Israel as an existential threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet following the strikes, calling the action “a defining moment in Israel’s history.”
Israel has closed its airspace and placed its military on high alert, saying it is fully prepared for a potential Iranian retaliation.
According to Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, the operation, dubbed Rising Lion, targets the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. In his declaration, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: “We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the nuclear bomb. We also struck at Iran’s ballistic missile program.” He noted also that the operation “could last for as many days as it takes”, adding that his government will not allow “the world’s most dangerous regime to get the world’s most dangerous weapons”.Iran has yet to issue an official response, though state media reported several explosions in the capital, Tehran. There are no confirmed casualties or assessments of damage at this time.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quick to confirm that the United States was not involved in the operation, noting that Israel described the attack as vital for its national defense.
With tensions escalating, oil markets remain on edge. Investment banks like JPMorgan warn that in a worst-case scenario, prices could surge to $120 per barrel if military conflict closes the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Source: Oilprice.com
Tanzania Takes Steps Towards Nuclear Power Adoption With Stakeholder Workshop
Tanzania is pursuing the adoption of nuclear power generation into its energy mix to ensure long-term energy sustainability.
Currently, the East African nation generates power from hydro and thermal sources.
To this end, the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) has been leading awareness creation through workshops to explain the need for establishing a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO).
TAEC recently held a workshop at the Tiffany Diamond Hotel, drawing around 60 key stakeholders from government institutions and the private sector.
The Guest of Honor, Professor Joseph Msambichaka, Chairperson of the TAEC Board, emphasized the significance of nuclear energy in addressing Tanzania’s long-term energy needs.
He called for collaborative efforts to ensure a smooth transition into nuclear power development while safeguarding safety, security, and sustainability.
In a statement issued by Professor Ladislaus Mnyone, Director of Science and Technology at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the importance of scientific knowledge and capacity building in the journey toward adopting nuclear technology for energy production was stressed.
Engineer Innocent Luoga, Commissioner for Renewable Energy, highlighted how nuclear energy can complement renewable sources like solar and wind. He underscored the government’s commitment to a diversified and resilient energy mix.
In her vote of thanks, Professor Najat Kassim Mohammed, TAEC Director General, acknowledged all partners and participants for their contribution. She reaffirmed TAEC’s readiness to lead the technical, regulatory, and awareness-building processes necessary to prepare Tanzania for its nuclear future.
The workshop continues through the week with expert sessions, discussions, and planning toward forming NEPIO and ensuring Tanzania’s readiness for nuclear power adoption.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: ECG Tema Ladies Celebrate Father’s Day
The Ladies Association of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Tema Region, held a pre-Father’s Day discussion as part of a staff durbar to mark the celebration on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
The association, officially known as the ECG Power Queens of Tema Region, held the durbar on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the company’s Tema Regional Office to discuss several issues concerning staff and the organization.
Addressing the durbar, the ECG Power Queens National Organizer, Ms. Emma Aba Amissah, in an address on behalf of the Tema Power Queens President, Ms. Anabel Zormelo, spoke on the theme “The Self-Preserving Man.” As part of her address, Ms. Amissah said, “Our message to you is that you should focus on your health and get yourself checked for prostate and testicular cancers, as these conditions are affecting more and more men.” She added that “science and medicine show that early detection can improve chances of recovery; therefore, the plea is for men to take their health seriously in the wake of upcoming Father’s Day as a gift to themselves.”
Another speaker was the ECG Tema Management representative for mental health, Madam Zita Kyei-Gyamfi, who focused her address on stress and suicide prevention. She said, “Culturally and socially, men have been brought up to keep their issues to themselves, yet this is not a healthy practice, as there are many issues stressing men, and the silence is not helping.”
She added that “men should open up, build and form good relationships, and stop internalizing their problems.”
Madam Kyei-Gyamfi added a plea that “suicide has reached alarming rates, with more men becoming victims. This is a mental health scare, and therefore, men should speak up and stop keeping all stress to themselves.”
The Tema Queens encouraged all staff in the Region to wear blue on the day as part of the advocacy on men’s health and to mark the pre-Father’s Day celebration.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Global Leaders Rally For Energy Efficiency: A Key To Affordability And Competitiveness
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency has brought together ministers, CEOs, and experts from nearly 100 countries to discuss ways to strengthen energy security, lower bills, and reduce emissions through efficiency gains.
The two-day conference in Brussels explores effective policies to unlock investment and improve affordability and competitiveness, particularly for small businesses and low-income households.
A key focus area is industrial efficiency, where improvements have stalled since 2019, accounting for 80% of the growth in global energy demand without significant energy intensity progress.
However, the conference highlights the potential of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to optimize operations and reduce consumption.
Increasing industrial efficiency can help safeguard jobs, lower operating costs, and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to compete more effectively amid energy price fluctuations.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized that energy efficiency is not just about energy; it delivers clear benefits for people, lowering bills, improving businesses’ competitiveness, and creating jobs.
European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen added that energy efficiency can bring immense gains in affordability and decarbonization.
The conference also focuses on buildings and appliances, discussing ways to expand building codes, retrofit existing stock, and raise efficiency standards. With the global sale of five air conditioners every second, most of which are only half as efficient as the best available models, there is significant room for improvement.
The conference builds on momentum from previous events, including the COP28 conference in Dubai, where nearly 200 countries pledged to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. However, the latest IEA data shows progress remains well below that goal.
The conference aims to catalyze faster implementation and deeper collaboration across borders, with delegates reviewing national progress, sharing policy innovations, and identifying next steps to unlock efficiency’s full potential.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Egypt Locks In Landmark LNG Import Deals With Aramco, Shell, And Trafigura
Egypt has finalized a sweeping series of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreements with Saudi Aramco, Shell Plc, Trafigura, and several other major traders, as the country’s struggles to shift back to long-term net exporter, rather than importer amid a deepening domestic supply crunch, according to a Bloomberg report.
State-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Co. (EGAS) secured as many as 290 LNG cargoes over the next two and a half years, starting as early as next month.
Alongside Aramco, Shell, and Trafigura, volumes will also be sourced from Vitol Group, Hartree Partners LP, BGN, and Azerbaijan’s Socar.
Hartree and BGN alone were awarded more than 100 cargoes, underscoring their growing presence in an increasingly competitive LNG market.
This is the second major LNG deal this year for Cairo.
Earlier this year, Egypt signed deals worth around $3 billion with Shell and TotalEnergies for 60 LNG cargoes to cover 2025 demand.
Contract prices are tied to European gas benchmarks, with premiums ranging from $0.80 to $0.95 per million British thermal units. The terms offer Egypt some breathing room, allowing payment deferrals of up to 180 days, as it continues to recover from a prolonged foreign currency crisis.
This aggressive procurement strategy aims to stabilize Egypt’s power grid ahead of peak summer demand, which has previously triggered widespread blackouts.
The country’s monthly summer energy bill is now expected to surge to approximately $3 billion starting in July, up sharply from $2 billion last year.
Egypt is struggling to fill in the gaps as its natural gas production targets, particularly from the giant Zohr offshore gas field, fall short due to technical difficulties and unpaid debts to foreign operators.
Source: oilprice.com
Angola: ANPG Signs Agreement With Five Oil Companies To Increase Oil Output
Angola’s National Oil, Gas, and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) has signed a concession agreement with five oil companies for the exploration of Block 17 and to increase oil production in the country.
The agreement was signed with Sonangol, TotalEnergies, Equinor, ExxonMobil, and Azule Energy, according to the Angola News Agency’s report on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The agreement includes improving the facilities of the Block 17 platform (Dalia field) with an expected investment of $6 billion over the next five years, extending the operation until 2045.
Janio Correia Victor, Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, said the memorandum represents growth in production capacity, increased employment, technology transfer, training of national staff, and economic development.
He added that the move is an important and decisive step toward ensuring that existing resources continue to produce and play a key role in boosting the national economy.
Venancio recalled that the oil and gas sector faces significant challenges due to the maturity of the fields and growing global competitiveness, despite Angola’s resilience and remarkable ability to adapt based on policies of openness and consultation with investors.
He reaffirmed that the Angolan government remains committed to ensuring that the country’s natural resources are exploited responsibly, with a strategic vision, comfort, and well-being for communities, as well as strengthening local content.
The ANPG CEO, Paulino Jeronimo, said the Dalia field is one of the largest areas discovered in the 1990s in Angola, which is now in a mature phase of production, with a favorable share of 90% for the state and 10% for the investor.
According to Jeronimo, under normal conditions, the platform would produce roughly 120 million barrels by the end of its useful life, with the state receiving 90% of this amount.
However, with these incentives, production could reach up to 500 million barrels.
Jeronimo explained that this percentage “does not motivate new investments,” which requires implementing the principle of incremental production to give incentives to all buyers to produce above the expected average.
“We have a production profile that has generally been negotiated over the years with operators, and those who produce above average have an incentive,” he clarified.
In turn, the CEO of TotalEnergies, Martin Deffontaines, highlighted the importance of the agreement in stimulating growth in the oil and gas sector, ensuring a dynamic and innovative spirit. “We have opened a new chapter in the Dalia journey, which is a 20-year-old Block 17 platform that still produces 140,000 barrels per day,” he said.
He stressed that the contract allows for the start of the Dalia and Dalia Lifex life extension project, resolving issues of platform and subsea facility integrity and replacing obsolete equipment.
According to Martin Deffontaines, the Dália Lifex project will allow for the drilling of five new wells that will contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Block 17 is located between 150 and 200 kilometers off the Angolan coast and is operated by Total (40% of the shares), together with subsidiaries of Equinor (23.33%), ExxonMobil (20%), and BP (16.67%).
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Russia Discusses Natural Gas Supply With China
Senior Russian and Chinese officials have discussed LNG and pipeline gas supply from Russia to China and cooperation in joint energy projects, the Russian Energy Ministry said this week.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev and Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, discussed LNG deliveries, developing natural gas transportation infrastructure, and expanding cooperation in the oil and coal industries.
China has become a top buyer of Russian energy since the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine cut off most of Russia’s oil, gas, and coal supplies previously headed to Western countries.
Embargos and price caps on Russian oil and products have prompted Russia to turn east and expand its exports to Asia.
China is buying cheaper Russian oil and pipeline gas, but hasn’t committed yet to a major new natural gas pipeline from Siberian gas fields.
Russia’s giant Gazprom started sending gas to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline at the end of 2019, and flows have now reached the maximum design capacity.
But a significant boost to supply that would more than double the current flows with a new pipeline, Power of Siberia 2, looks further away than it did earlier this decade.
China has been negotiating from a position of strength after becoming Russia’s key gas customer and key trade partner in all other areas following the invasion of Ukraine, which severed decades-long gas supply relations between Russia and Europe. Russia appears to be struggling to convince China to take on more pipeline gas amid disagreements over the price China would pay.
Last month, Tsivilev said that Russia is in an active stage of talks with China over the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
Despite the touted “active” talks, it is unlikely that Russia and China will sign an agreement on the proposed gas pipeline soon, Russian news agency TASS quoted Tsivilev as telling reporters.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Gambia: Audio Claiming Senegal Is Siphoning The Gambia’s Oil Resources Is Misleading And False, Says MoPEM
The Gambia’s Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines has dismissed the content of an audio circulating online, suggesting that its neighbour, the Republic of Senegal, is siphoning its oil resources from underground.
According to the ministry, the claim is not only misleading but also lacks any technical or scientific basis.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry explained that since the 1960s, The Gambia had drilled only five exploration wells—two onshore and three offshore—with two of the offshore wells drilled by FAR Ltd. in 2019 and 2021, without any discoveries.
In contrast, the ministry indicated that Senegal had conducted 49 offshore drillings in the Sangomar area to find oil and gas.
It pointed out that the last well drilled by FAR (in 2021) was about 500 metres away from the border with Senegal.
It said this was a deliberate attempt to see if we have oil around the areas Senegal discovered oil.
“Unfortunately, from that well, there was no discovery warranting a conversation on joint resource development or sharing at the time. No exploration well has been drilled since then,” the ministry stated.
Consequently, The Gambia and Senegal cannot initiate such negotiations because The Gambia has not yet made any discoveries near the border that would warrant such negotiations,” the statement said.
Besides, the ministry said its seismic data acquisition and interpretation continue to gather momentum.
“It is crucial to emphasise that seismic data and well data are confidential and extremely valuable to be shared publicly.
“These details must not be shared with anyone unless authorised parties and licensed partners, within the framework of signed data sharing agreements for oil exploration and exploitation, request access. We continue to encourage investment in The Gambia’s oil blocks, which has culminated in receiving expressions of interest from various oil companies for our acreages.”
The ministry called on the public to disregard the unfounded allegations, incendiary statements and recognise the importance of factual and informed discussions regarding our natural resources.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Mozambique: Eni CEO, President Daniel Francisco Chapo Hold Talks On Eni’s Future Plans
The President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, met with the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, in Maputo on Wednesday to discuss the company’s ongoing and future activities in the country.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between Eni and Mozambique and highlighted strategic initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s economic growth.
Among the topics discussed were the ongoing success of the Coral South Project, which contributed to 50% of Mozambique’s GDP growth in 2023 and is projected to represent 70% of GDP growth in 2024, and the recently approved Plan of Development by the Government of Mozambique for the implementation of the Coral North FLNG project.
This project will enable the expansion of LNG production from the Coral reservoir in Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin.
The meeting also highlighted Eni’s strategy to diversify its activities in Mozambique as part of its broader commitment to the country’s energy transition. This includes implementing an innovative agribusiness project focused on producing vegetable oil for biorefining.
The initiative aims to support rural area development and create opportunities for Mozambique’s integration into the biofuel value chain.
Additionally, the company is promoting several carbon offset initiatives, including a clean cooking program that promotes the use of more energy-efficient cooking solutions and other REDD+ initiatives.
Eni has been present in Mozambique since 2006. Between 2011 and 2014, the company discovered vast natural gas resources in the Rovuma Basin, specifically in the Coral, Mamba Complex, and Agulha reservoirs, with approximately 2,400 billion cubic meters of gas in place. Eni operates the Coral South project, the first to produce gas from the Rovuma Basin.
Eni also contributes to improving the country’s economic diversification, access to education, health, and water through the implementation of a sustainability plan.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com