1. Saudi Arabia’s unexpected announcement of voluntary production cuts makes oil prices soar
Saudi Arabia unexpectedly announced that it will voluntarily reduce production by a large margin in February and March, and will voluntarily reduce production by 1 million B / D in the next two months. This production reduction will far offset the impact of Russia and Kazakhstan’s combined monthly production increase of 75000 B / D in February and March. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cut production shocked the market, with crude oil prices in New York soaring to a 10 month high. This decision also consolidated Saudi Arabia’s position as a global oil and gas market leader.
2. Azerbaijan plans to increase oil production in 2021
Azerbaijan plans to increase its oil production from 34.5 million tons in 2020 to 34.7 million tons in 2021, and plans to produce 35.96 million tons in 2022, 37.01 million tons in 2023 and 37.52 million tons in 2024.
3. Investment in Canadian oil industry will increase by 12% in 2021
Total investment in oil sands operations and conventional oil and gas production is expected to increase to nearly $21 billion (C $27 billion) by 2021, compared with $19 billion (C $24 billion) in 2020, according to the Canadian Petroleum Production Association (CAPP).
4. ACWA power received $125 million from Apicorp
ACWA power, a Saudi energy developer, has signed a $125 million five-year corporate loan with apicorp, a multilateral lender, to support its growth plan and fund renewable energy projects.
Apicorp is a multilateral lending institution established by 10 oil exporting countries in the Arab world.
5. The United States extends Iraq’s exemption from importing Iranian energy for three months
An Iraqi official said this week that the United States has extended a sanctions exemption that allows Iraq to import Iranian gas and electricity for three months. This exemption will continue to protect Iraq from the U.S. re imposed sanctions on Iran in November 2018.
Iraq relies heavily on Iran’s natural gas to supply several power plants across the country, and Iran’s electricity exports account for the majority of the country’s electricity supply. Iran currently meets nearly 30% of Iraq’s daily electricity demand.
6. US Treasury department announces sanctions against Iran’s steel sector related enterprises
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned several companies related to Iran’s steel industry, including Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials Technology Co., Ltd., a graphite electrode supplier based in China. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on 12 Iranian steel manufacturers or holding companies and three foreign sales agents of an Iranian major metals and mining holding company, the agency said in a statement.
7. Trump authorities finalize Alaska oil drilling plan
The Bureau of land management said this week that it had finalized a plan to open up more land for oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s oil reserves.
Last year, the US authorities approved an Alaska drilling project led by ConocoPhillips, which, once fully put into operation, could produce about 160000 barrels a day.
Post time: Jan-07-2021