The Middle East
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Saudi Arabia, Russia may extend OPEC, non-OPEC oil output deal
Plans of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other supplies, especially Russia, to possibly continue curbing oil production for the rest...
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Oil markets nervous after Tillerson sacked, McMaster on his way out
The firing of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and if President Donald Trump removes H.R. McMaster as national security adviser could impact major...
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Prompted by Egypt’s Zohr find, Total-Exxon will hunt hydrocarbons off Crete
ATHENS - A French-led consortium from Total and US energy giant ExxonMobil, each with 40% stakes, as well as Hellenic Petroleum, have submitted a...
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Turkish pressure throws EU East Med energy projects into limbo
DELPHI, Greece – The Turkish diplomatic and military pressure in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) may affect...
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Gas drilling, Navtex fuel Turkey-Cyprus tensions in East Med
ATHENS – The tensions between Greece and Turkey after an incident in the eastern Aegean appear to have been defused, but the standoff between...
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At Rome ‘Club Med’ summit, Greece gets a line on TAP gas to Italy
As heads of state and government of Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain, or so-called “Club Med,’ convened in Rome on January...
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Potential European market rivals, Russia’s Gazprom, Iran’s NIOC sign gas cooperation deals
Gazprom said that the Russian gas giant has signed a deal with Iran to implement integrated projects for hydrocarbon production, transmission and processing in...
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Saudi Arabia, Putin’s Russia lead OPEC oil output cut extension deal through end of 2018
In an effort to boost oil prices, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC members, including Russia, reached an agreement on November...
Africa
Cyprus, Greece, Egypt strive to export East Med gas to Europe, but at what price?
ATHENS – Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Greek Prime minister Alexis Tsipras endorsed a gas export pipeline from Cyprus to...
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Iraqi-Kurdish battles send oil prices gushing, retreating
Oil prices surged from October 13 through October 18 as fighting between Iraqi and Kurdish forces intensified, threatening supplies from northern Iraq, while markets...
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Cyprus, Greece eye East Med gas discoveries for EU export
ATHENS – More offshore hydrocarbon discoveries from the East Mediterranean region similar to Egypt’s giant Zohr field could boost gas exports to Europe.“At the...
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Russia takes pass on Qatar conflict with Arab neighbours
MOSCOW – Russia, which has called for dialogue to tackle the political rift in the Arab world over Qatar, will not take sides in...
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Turkey’s energy hub hopes hinge on market liberalisation
BELGRADE – Turkey is very well positioned to be a regional energy hub because of its geographical location and strong market but the government...
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ISIL’s cross-border oil smuggling days are over
BRATISLAVA – ISIL’s ability to smuggle oil across the Iraqi border and finance its jihadist activities from oil revenue has almost stopped, a German...
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OPEC, non-OPEC extend oil cut as cooperation with Russia improves
VIENNA - In an effort to reduce a global crude oil glut and boost prices, Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and...
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US calls for relaxing Gazprom’s stranglehold on EU market
ATHENS – Several key energy projects currently underway in Greece will bring significant quantities of non-Russian gas to Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, and other regional...
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Iran election not to jeopardise nuclear deal, affect oil prices
When Iranians vote to elect a new president on May 19, traders and Mideast observers will be watching, but it is unlikely that Tehran,...
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Oversupply fears push oil prices to five-month lows
Fears of oversupply pushed oil prices to five-month lows on May 5 despite signals that Russia is ready to join the Organization of Petroleum...
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Trump signs order on oil drilling but market is skeptical
As he approaches his first 100 days in office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 28 that could lead to...
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EU-Turkey energy partnership to continue after referendum
Even though a tightly contested referendum granting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wide new powers after a major overhaul of the country’s political system...
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US, NATO could play a role in East Med energy security
DELPHI, Greece - The United States and NATO will need to have a military presence in the East Mediterranean to protect the energy resources...
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US backs Greece’s efforts to build EU energy connections
DELPHI, Greece - The United States strongly supports Greece’s efforts to build its energy connections with Europe, US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt told...
Albania
Ambassador Pyatt says US wants EU energy deal to block Russia
ATHENS – The United States will continue to work with the European Union to promote diversification of energy supplies and lessen dependence on Russia,...
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Total eyes EU hydrocarbon exports from Cyprus, Greece
Total is reportedly preparing to make an exploratory marine drilling off Cyprus. The French energy major is also in talks with the Greek government...
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Greece, Cyprus, Israel examine East Med gas exports to EU
ATHENS - On December 8, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will participate in a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Israel in Jerusalem to...
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Anti-OPEC Trump wild card for oil prices
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election means his administration is likely to focus on domestic oil projects, leading to a prolonged period...
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Israel-Turkish pipeline hinges on Cyprus issue solution
ATHENS – The rapprochement between Tel Aviv and Ankara will give fresh impetus to a pipeline from Israel to Turkey, experts told New Europe...
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Russia, Saudi Arabia agree oil production freeze as Iran says will boost output
Iran plans to increase its own oil output to pre-sanctions levels in the next few months. National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Director for International...
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Cyprus-Egypt pipe deal opens door for East Med gas
Cyprus has signed a deal to build a pipeline to supply Egypt with natural gas once production starts from the Aphrodite field located offshore...
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Saudi Arabia in a proxy war with Iran, Russia
Given the level of mistrust among Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, it is unlikely that OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers, including Russia, will reach...
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Energy hopes, US drive renewed Turkey, Israel relations
THESSALONIKI - The restoration of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel after a six-year break creates fresh impetus for regional alliances in the exploration,...
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Trump to OPEC, Russia: Drop Dead or The Big Chillary
The outcome of the US general election this November could affect Washington’s energy policy and relations with Russia. Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump’s slogan...
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In Athens, Putin puts the full court press on EU
ATHENS – Russian President Vladimir Putin landed with a one-and-a-half hour delay in Greece on Friday, May 27, for a two-day visit aimed to boost...
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Murder can’t kill Italy’s interest in Egyptian gas
ATHENS – Egypt’s refusal to hand over extensive phone records as part of an investigation into the killing an Italian researcher and Rome’s decision...
Albania
Energy investors want Greek political, economic equilibrium
ATHENS – A politically stable environment and tax regime that will help Greece meet its debt obligations will allow foreign investment to flow into...
Africa
Low oil prices can’t sink tanker market
ATHENS – Despite slumping oil prices, the tanker market has been very healthy, a leading energy expert told New Europe at a maritime forum.“The...
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Israel, Turkey see Cypriot-Greek energy gate to EU
STRASBOURG – The development of hydrocarbon reserves in eastern Mediterranean can boost “cooperation and peace” between the countries in the region and is important...
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Russia, Saudi coordinated production cuts unlikely
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on January 28 Saudi Arabia has proposed oil production cuts of up to 5% by each country. “This...
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Gazprom expands market share as prices fall
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom announced better than expected results, reporting a net loss of 2 billion rubles ($26 million) in the three months to...
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As Oil Prices Tank, Saudis Open to Aramco IPO
Pressured by slumping oil prices, Saudi Arabia is considering listing shares in state-owned Aramco.Probably the world’s most valuable company and the world’s biggest oil...
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Ex-BOTAŞ CEO: Keep Calm and Supply Turkey With Russian Gas
Gazprom will probably not cut gas supplies to Turkey despite the latter shooting down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane on November 24, an ex...
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Iran’s Re-emergence Promising For EU Market, Caspian region
ATHENS – The deal Iran reached with world powers over its nuclear programme, which was approved by the Iranian parliament on October 13, is...
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Russia’s Syria Strikes, Slowing Production Boost Oil Prices
Rising geopolitical tensions and signs of slowing output, boosted oil prices last week testing new highs.International oil benchmark Brent crude has rallied by as...
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Syrian Oil Catalyst to Team US-Russia vs. ISIS
SOCHI – Only if the United States and Russia put their differences aside and work together they can put a curb on ISIS actions...
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Turkey Wants Kurds’ Energy Hand
Turkey is turning to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to meet its growing demand for energy. Co-operation with Erbil may help Ankara diversify its oil and...
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US Warning Shot To Iran On Nukes
BRATISLAVA – On 19 April, the United States reiterated it is “determined to stop” Iran from developing nuclear weapon capability. “States such as Iran...
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