Opec unlikely to increase oil production cuts in December November 11, 2019 Opec and its oil-producing allies are unlikely to approve further cuts to production when they meet in December, according to Oman’s energy minister Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy. Speaking at a press conference in Abu Dhabi this morning, al Rumhy said that he expected the producers’ current deal to limit supply would probably be extended: Read [...]
Middle East tensions push up oil prices as tankers burn in the Gulf of Oman June 13, 2019 International oil prices surged this morning as reports emerged that two oil tankers had caught fire in the Gulf of Oman. A port in the United Arab Emirates got a distress signal from the Front Altair, Bloomberg reported earlier today. Bloomberg later reported that the Kokuka Courageous tanker has also been hit. The ship’s manager [...]
Exxon decision to evacuate staff from Iraq ‘unacceptable and unjustified’ says oil minister May 19, 2019 Iraq’s oil minister has hit out at US oil giant Exxon, demanding it immediately returns workers which it evacuated from the country amid growing regional tensions. Thamer Ghadhban today said that Exxon’s decision was “unacceptable and unjustified” after it was revealed that all its foreign staff at the West Qurna 1 oilfield would be moved [...]
Huawei CFO’s arrest to be probed in Vancouver hearing September 23, 2019 Lawyers for Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou are set to probe her arrest in Vancouver airport during a court hearing today. Meng was arrested in December on suspicion of misleading banks and violating sanctions against Iran, and is now facing extradition to the US. Read more: Huawei drops lawsuit against US over seized equipment [...]
Oil prices post weekly gains despite last-minute dip on renewed trade tensions September 21, 2019 Oil prices fell on Friday on renewed concerns that the US-China trade war could escalate, but still posted strong weekly gains. Brent ended the week with its biggest increase since January following the attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities last weekend. Read more: Oil prices plunge as Saudi production could return sooner than expected On [...]
IEA boss Fatih Birol: Oil demand could slow if economy stays weak September 27, 2019 The International Energy Agency could cut its forecasts for global oil demand again if economies around the world fail to pick up speed, its executive director warned today. IEA boss Fatih Birol said that a weaker global economy would reduce demand for oil. Read more: British tanker Stena Impero seized by Iran leaves port His [...]
Achieving budgetary balance in a virus crisis March 12, 2020 A proportionate response needs to be adopted in the face of the spread of Covid-19. That was certainly the sense from yesterday’s Budget. A calm and measured chancellor presented this government’s first Budget during very unusual times. This outbreak has been devastating, initially in China, but now in Italy and Iran too, with many countries [...]
Metro Bank shares plumb new depths after challenger bank swings to £131m loss February 26, 2020 Metro Bank will slash its growth plans after plunging to a £131m pre-tax loss in 2019, a devastating year in which an accounting scandal sent shares plunging and led to an exodus of the bank’s top brass. Shares in the company fell as much as 19 per cent in morning trading to an all-time low [...]
Boris Johnson says Brexit trade deal ‘epically likely’; says he won’t risk UK security over Huawei January 14, 2020 Boris Johnson has said a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU by the end of this year is “epically likely” – but admitted he could fail to clinch it within the deadline. Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning the Prime Minister said it was “very, very, very likely” the UK will get a trade deal [...]
Saudi Arabia oil facilities engulfed in flames after drone attacks September 14, 2019 Two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia have burst into flames following drone attacks, state media reports. Footage has emerged of flames and smoke engulfing Abqaiq, the site of state-owned company Aramco’s largest oil processing plant. Read more: Opec faces daunting global oil surplus and nosediving prices in 2020 A separate attack also set alight [...]