OPEC+ heavyweights join hands to stabilize oil market

International oil markets were caught by surprise when the OPEC+ ministers unanimously approved the production cut initiated by Saudi Arabia and Russia to continue curbing output. The move was further strengthened in mid-July 2023 when OPEC+ ministers met and reaffirmed their commitment to work an output management that would lead to a stable market and adequate supply of oil for the consumers. Major market players; companies, hedge fund managers, and Central Banks welcomed the decision and agreed that upon full recovery of the demand side from the pandemic, markets would welcome back the OPEC+ to retain its traditional role as the energy Central Bank of the world.

Gas, Iran Bargaining Chip

TEHRAN (Shana) -- Iran's gas export and equations for the transfer of theclean energy to its neighboring countries is a program that is being pursued more and more by the PetroleumMinistry. In the latest move, Iran's Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji has held intensive negotiations with senior Turkish officials to extend the gas and energy trade agreement, which seems to be a very important issue in the economic relations between the two countries.

COP27; Climate and Energy

TEHRAN (Shana) -- Once in a year, delegates from almost 200 countries gather togetherseeking ways and means to keep climate change from spiraling out of control. This time, they met in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) that was originally shaped up back in 1994 when members of the United Nations agreed to convene and officially address climate change with an unprecedented determination. COP gained momentum and moved into center stage during Paris Conference of the Parties when decision was made to move from words and declarations to accountability, costs and damages. This institutionalized COP and countries began to address the topic at national, regional and international levels.

Defining Moments for Oil and Gas

TEHRAN (Shana) -- Energy prices went up sharply after February 24 when first Russian troops entered Ukraine. By late March 2022, it hit above $ 120.40 per barrel for Brent briefly but retreated to around $110 per barrel, though, the average price of crude oil was $105 per barrel for the first half of 2022. The slow and cautious reaction of oil market towards such major geographical escalation that would potentially cut over 6.7 mb/d of crude and products from Russia is an interesting phenomenon worth analyzing. Let’s be reminded that the international crude oil prices touched $147 per barrel back in 2008 after the United States descended into recession.

Energy Security Redefined

TEHRAN (Shana) -- European Union unanimously decided to impose sanctions on seaborne crude oil deliveries from Russia. Europe’s energy future is now woven by hasty opportunistic policies using Russian- Ukraine conflict as a new crowbar to open the door to dismantled US Northern Atlantic alignment and flawed energy transition policies.

Shifting Geopolitics of Energy: A New World Energy Order

TEHRAN (Shana) -- Whatever the outcome of war in Ukraine, one thing is for sure. The economic reverberations will be felt and in fact is already affecting the global economy by everyone and in all countries for years to come as the world divides between the West and rapidly reshaping Eurasia. The tectonic shifts and fractures in the world and how sanctions against Russia are likely to reshape and redefine a set of new global geopolitical realities.

Former Director of International Affairs at NIOC:

Return of Iran Oil to Market Prevents Deepening Global Economic Recession

TEHRAN (Shana) -- The former director of international affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company says the return of Iran’s crude oil to the market could prevent further deepening of the global economy.

Gray Shadow of Energy Security

TEHRAN (Shana) -- The energy market has seen many fluctuations over recent months. The latest lockdowns in China are causing significant demand destruction and adding downward pressure on oil prices, reduction of gas storage in Europe and finally the tension between Russia and Ukraine complicated part of energy marketpuzzle, such a wonderful life!

Why $100 a Barrel Could Be Bad for Energy Transition

TEHRAN (Shana) -- With oil costing over $100 a barrel, and Russia’s war in Ukraine underscoring the risk of relying on fossil fuel, it would seem like a great time to speed up shifting from the polluting fuel, Akshat Pathi and Will Mathis write for Bloomberg, noting that the reality isn’t so simple.

Production Costs Trend as Oil Age Ends

TEHRAN (Shana) -- Crude oil extraction and production cost is an effective factor in oil pricing. Such costs vary from one spot to another, depending on the size and availability of oil reserves. Although most oil companies are unwilling to release precise data about oil production costs.However, estimates about costs of extracting oil from active fields in various countries are available. Comparing these costs would be key to analyzing the future of world oil markets. This data would show which countries can keep producing oil, even though in periods when prices keep falling. This issue takes up added significance in light of significant reduction in oil prices over recent years.