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Oil Pipeline

South Bow restarts Keystone Pipeline after Safety Administration Approval

South Bow announced on Wednesday that it had restarted its Keystone pipeline at a lower operating pressure following approval by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Last week, the 4,327 km (2 689 miles) Keystone pipeline was shut down after an oil spill in North Dakota near Fort Ransom. South Bow said it will continue to monitor the system 24 hours a day, remediate the site of the incident, and share any findings from the investigation as soon as they are available. The PHMSA has approved a restart in accordance with a corrective order issued on 11 April, but...

Oil Pipeline

Discounts on Western Canada Select Heavy Crude are now wider.

On Tuesday, the discount between West Texas Intermediate (WTI), North America's benchmark futures contract, and Western Canada Select (WCS), a heavy crude from Western Canada (WCS), widened. WCS for delivery in May at Hardisty, Alberta settled at $9.30 per barrel below WTI according to brokerage CalRock. It had settled at $9.10 per barrel under the U.S. benchmark Monday. * The WCS Discount briefly increased last week, following an oil spillage in North Dakota that caused Keystone Operator South Bow to temporarily close the 4,327 km (2,689) pipeline between Canada and the U.S. It has returned to historically tight levels due...

Oil Pipeline

The discount on heavy crude oil from Western Canada returns to the pre-Keystone spill level

On Monday, the discount between West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark futures contract for heavy crude oil produced in Western Canada Select (WCS), and the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark futures contract for light crude oil produced in West Texas Select (WCS), narrowed. It returned to the very tight levels that it traded at before the shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline last week. WCS for delivery in May at Hardisty, Alberta settled at $9.10 per barrel below WTI according to brokerage CalRock. It had settled at $9.60 per barrel below the U.S. benchmark Friday. *...

Transportation

South Bow will restart Keystone with reduced rates on Tuesday

South Bow said it plans to restart Keystone by Tuesday, April 15th, the company announced on Saturday. It shut down the main conduit for the flow Canadian oil into the U.S. because of an oil spillage in North Dakota. South Bow needs to receive written approval from U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, must approve the restart of the pipeline before it can be done. Keystone will continue to operate in the U.S. at reduced rates even after it is restarted, according to the company. This is due to a Friday corrective action order from the PHMSA....

Transportation

Keystone Operator given order to corrective action after North Dakota oil spill

U.S. regulators have said that there may be structural problems with the Keystone Pipeline. They issued a corrective order to its operator South Bow Corp. after an oil spill occurred in North Dakota earlier this week. This shut down the main conduit for Canadian oil flowing to the U.S. South Bow must receive written approval from U.S. According to an order published on Friday, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration must approve the restart of the pipeline before it can proceed. The order states that even after Keystone restarts, it will still have to operate at a reduced rate...

Oil Pipeline

Discounts on heavy crude oil from Western Canada are narrowed

Western Canada Select (WCS), a heavy crude from Canada, was trading at a discount to West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark North American futures contract. The discount narrowed Friday, despite the fact that the Keystone pipeline between Canada and the U.S.A. was still shut for the fourth day in a row. WCS for delivery in May at Hardisty, Alberta settled at $9.60 per barrel below WTI according to brokerage CalRock. It had settled at $9.85 below the U.S. benchmark Thursday. Keystone, the oil pipeline that connects Canada and the U.S., was closed on Tuesday following an oil spillage in North...

Transportation

CPC: Russian court orders that the Caspian oil export terminal will not be suspended by the Russian court

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium said that on Friday, a Russian court fined the consortium 200,000 roubles (2,370 dollars) for oil transhipment infractions. However, it was ruled by the court that its Black Sea Export Terminal facilities would not be suspended. This decision is likely to prevent a possible fall in Kazakhstan oil production via CPC. Around 80% of Kazakhstan's exports are oil. Sources in the industry told of a frenzy of diplomatic activity before the court's ruling regarding the pipeline operations between Russia and Kazakhstan. Transneft, the Russian oil pipeline monopoly, announced on Thursday that Nikolai Tokarev met with Askhat...

Transport Infrastructure

Caspian Oil Pipeline Consortium prepares for court battle with Russia over stoppage orders

Three industry sources said that the Western-backed Caspian Pipeline Consortium was preparing to take on a Russian court to challenge a regulatory order which has crippled their export capabilities and threatens to cut off oil flow to global markets. After a series of inspections in response to an oil spill that occurred on the Black Sea, the Russian transport regulator ordered CPC, which includes Chevron, Exxon Mobil and others, to suspend its operations at two moorings. A court in Russia will review the decision of the regulator. Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the CPC intends to...

Transportation

Exclusive: Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline lowers its forecasts of the amount of oil that it will ship

Documents filed by Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline's operator reveal that the company has revised its forecasts of how much oil will flow through the system in the next three-year period, due to the fact that the pipeline is being used less than anticipated. Trans Mountain's lower forecasts filed with Canada Energy Regulator by Trans Mountain last month were not previously reported. Analysts said that the lower forecasts show oil companies' unwillingness to pay the higher tolls Trans Mountain, owned by the government, has charged customers to transport oil via the newly expanded pipeline. The pipeline is not using 20% of...

Transportation

US regulator suspends Colonial Pipeline’s proposed changes in fuel shipping terms

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued an order suspending Colonial Pipeline's proposed fuel shipping terms changes for seven months. Colonial Pipeline requested FERC approval last month in order to stop shipping gasoline of different grades at the same rate and reduce the number of grades that it transports on the pipeline. A filing shows that the regulator accepted and suspended for seven months the revised tariff record to reflect modifications proposed. The regulator will conduct a paper-based hearing to examine the concerns raised by Colonial Pipeline, fuel shippers and other stakeholders. Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corp, as well as...

Oil Pipeline

Russia tightens restrictions on Black Sea oil export ports

Russia, the second largest oil exporter in the world, imposed new restrictions on a major oil export route on Wednesday. The suspension of a mooring from the Black Sea port Novorossiisk came only one day after the restriction on loadings through a Caspian pipeline. Russia produces around 9 million barrels per day or just over a tenth of the global oil production. The ports of Russia also receive oil from Kazakhstan. Transneft, the Russian oil pipeline monopoly, said that it had suspended an mooring in the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk after a quick inspection by a transportation watchdog. The...

Oil Pipeline

What is the issue in US discussions with Ukraine and Russia

U.S. officials will meet with negotiators in Saudi Arabia from Ukraine and Russia to discuss details of the proposed 30-day ceasefire for strikes on energy infrastructure as well as an overall peace agreement. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine will not be present in the same meeting room. On Sunday night, officials from Kyiv will meet with the U.S. delegation in Riyadh. Then, on Monday, the Russian and U.S. negotiators will meet. Last week, U.S. president Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in order to promote his efforts to end the three...

Europe

Oil Pipeline

Caspian Pipeline partially restores Kazakh Oil Loadings in Black Sea

It said that the Caspian Pipeline Consortium had resumed oil loading at one of the two Black Sea moorings previously closed, following a Russian Transport regulator's restrictions. Officially, the CPC was targeted because of inspections in relation to an oil spill that occurred in December. They came after OPEC+ had Pressed Kazakhstan will reduce production to meet agreed-upon production quotas. The move has sparked diplomatic activity between Russia, Kazakhstan and fueled concerns about a possible drop in oil sales from Central Asia. 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports go through the CPC. The court overturned the decision of the Transport Watchdog...

Transport Infrastructure

Source: Russian court lifts suspension of Transneft Black Sea oil berth

An industry source said that a Russian court reversed on Monday the decision of a regulator to stop the operation of a Transneft-controlled oil berth in the Black Sea port Novorossiisk. Transneft announced last week that it had suspended the mooring no. 8 at Novorossiisk, for 90 days following a quick inspection by a transportation watchdog. The Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port is one of Russia’s biggest export outlets. Closing one mooring will not have a significant impact on its operations. Sources claim that the port was fined $2,322 for non-specific irregularities. Transneft didn't respond to a comment request. Last week,...

Transportation

Kremlin restricts Caspian oil pipeline export infrastructure after Ukrainian drone attack

The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russian restrictions have been imposed on Black Sea oil export infrastructure via the Caspian Pipeline (CPC) as a result of Ukrainian drone attacks against the pipeline's Infrastructure. After a quick inspection by Russia's Transport Watchdog, the Black Sea Terminal that handles Kazakhstan's oil exported by U.S. majors Chevron & Exxon Mobil was ordered to close two of its moorings this week. Moscow accuses Ukraine of attacking a CPC Kropotkinskaya oil depot and pumping station in southern Russia. Transneft, the Russian pipeline monopoly, said on Wednesday it had suspended a berth for oil at the...

North Asia

Transport Infrastructure

Kazakh oil exports cut by Russian order amid OPEC+ dispute

Russia has ordered Kazakhstan’s main oil terminal to shut down two of its three moorings. The terminal handles crude pumped from the U.S. by majors Chevron, Exxon Mobil and others. This comes amid a standoff with OPEC+ and Kazakhstan over excessive production. The operator of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which exports about 1% of the global oil supply through the Russian Black Sea Terminal, announced late on Monday that two moorings had been halted after a quick inspection by Russia's transportation watchdog. Trading sources said that if the stoppage lasts more than one week, it could more than half CPC...

Transportation

Caspian Pipeline Consortium even more downgrades 2024 oil exports tally

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which exports Kazakhstan's oil via the Black Sea, was seen pumping 64.4 million metric lots of oil in 2024 in a most current estimate, further downgrading its exporting prospects, according to an investor. It had initially prepared to export more than 70 million heaps (1.5 million barrels per day) of oil in 2024, up from a. record high of 63.5 million loads in 2023. However, the consortium stated in May it expected its oil. exports to fall 7% except an initial target owing to lower. loadings from Tengiz, a crucial field. The plans might have...

Oil Pipeline

US problems fresh sanctions associated with Nord Stream 2 pipeline

The United States released fresh sanctions on Wednesday on several Russiabased entities over their involvement in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the State Department said, consisting of brand-new measures versus the operator of the project. The U.S. State Department said in a declaration it was re-imposing sanctions on a variety of entities associated with the building of the pipeline that were already designated, as well as several brand-new owners of vessels already under sanctions. Among those targeted on Wednesday were Russia-based marine services and water transport entities, the state-owned maritime rescue service and over a lots vessels, the State...

Transportation

Wall Street Journal - Nov. 22

The following are the top stories in the Wall Street Journal. Reuters has actually not confirmed these stories and does not vouch for their precision. - U.S. satellite television service provider DirecTV said on Thursday it had ended its contract to acquire Echostar's. satellite tv service, which includes rival Dish TV,. over a stopped working debt-exchange offer. - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering picking Kevin. Warsh as his Treasury secretary with the understanding that he. could later on be chosen to lead the Federal Reserve when Jerome. Powell's term as chair ends in 2026. - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump...

Transportation

Russian parliamentary committee authorizes Transneft tax walking, striking shares

The budget plan committee of Russia's parliament on Thursday approved to increase to 40% from 20% the tax on earnings of stateowned oil pipeline monopoly Transneft starting from 2025. Transneft's shares in Moscow fell by more than 10% after tax rise was authorized throughout a live-streamed committee meeting. Russia is seeking to raise taxes as it needs to fund its military project in Ukraine. A major tax reform is anticipated to create additional profits worth 1.7% of GDP in 2025. Financial experts argue this will not be enough. Deputy financing minister Alexei Sazanov told the committee that the taxes are...

Oil Pipeline

Kazakhstan's largest oilfield has cut production by five percent since October 26, according to sources

Three industry sources said that Kazakhstan's largest oil field Tengiz operated by U.S. giant Chevron has reduced its oil production by about 21% in average since October 26. This is equivalent to 496,200 barrels of oil per day. As a member OPEC+ (an alliance between OPEC, other top producers, and Russia), the Central Asian nation is bound by output targets. The decline in production may allow Kazakhstan to meet its output quota as part of an agreement with OPEC+. According to one source, the maintenance on the field has led to a decline in production. Tengiz's operator did not respond...

Transport Infrastructure

Sources say that Novatek, a Russian condensate producer, has installed a new unit at the Ust-Luga Complex.

Two market sources said that Novatek, a Russian energy company, launched its new gas condensate processing unit in the Baltic Sea Port of Ust-Luga at the end of August. The new refinery unit can process 3 million tons of gas condensate per year. This liquid feedstock is similar to crude oil. It is then processed into jet fuel, gasoil, heavy naphtha and fuel oil. Novatek didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Novatek opened the Ust-Luga Complex in 2013, with two refinery units, to process gas produced by its Arctic fields. It also ships oil products and gas condensate...

Oil Pipeline

Russia might hold back oil export cuts in October, sources state

Russia may hold back oil export cuts for its western ports in October or even increase loadings, regardless of set up rise of readily available primary oil refining capability at regional oil plants which makes it possible for Moscow to increase crude runs, market sources stated. I expect a little rise in Russia's oil exports in October - by several hundred thousand (metric) tons. I question that all the repair work will be completed on time, while the circumstance with oil plants in Russia's south is unclear yet, an industry source said. Russia's primary oil refining capacity is expected to...

Transportation

Russia's Tatneft increases oil exports to Slovakia and Hungary, Kommersant says

Russian business, primarily Tatneft, have actually boosted oil exports to Slovakia and Hungary to replace materials lost after Ukraine sanctions halted exports from Moscowbased Lukoil, Kommersant paper stated on Thursday. Lukoil was prohibited by Kyiv from utilizing the part of the Druzhba, or Friendship, pipeline that goes through Ukrainian territory, partially providing Hungarian and Slovakian refineries. The two landlocked nations alerted of possible fuel lacks from September unless an option was found. Hungarian energy company MOL has still not received required oil volumes, including for the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava, Kommersant reported, mentioning unnamed sources. Tatneft did not respond immediately...

Transportation

Slovakia, Hungary rebuff EU contact us to change lost Russian oil via Croatia

Slovakia and Hungary on Friday rebuffed a European Commission recommendation that they might replace lost Russian oil supplies via an alternative path through Croatia saying it was too expensive. Products from Russia's biggest oil exporter Lukoil through Ukraine were stopped in July following a ban by Ukrainian authorities on Lukoil utilizing the Druzhba pipeline, which connects Russia to eastern Europe. Hungary and Slovakia earlier this month asked the European Commission to step in and moderate as the threatened their security of supply. But they are declining the European Commission's proposition to usage spare capability on the JANAF Adriatic pipeline in...

Transportation

Slovakia, Hungary threaten Ukraine with court fight over blocked oil

Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to take Ukraine to court for blocking materials of oil by Russian manufacturer Lukoil through the Sovietbuilt Druzhba (Relationship) pipeline, the last remaining path for Russian crude to Europe. The following sets out the relevant realities. RUSSIA'S REMAINING OIL LINK TO EUROPE After Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union (EU), which used to purchase up to a third of its fuel from Russia, enforced sanctions and stopped buying Russian oil. Nevertheless, it offered 3 member states - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic - exemptions from sanctions because of their dependence on...

Oil Pipeline

Kremlin: Interruptions in Russian oil transit through Ukraine a 'crisis' for purchasers

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday called interruptions in Russian oil transit via Ukraine a crisis for the affected oil buyers, but said there was little scope for talks with the Ukrainian transit companies due to the fact that the choice had actually been political. Slovakia and Hungary have actually said they stopped getting oil from a key supplier, Russian business Lukoil, after Ukraine last month prohibited the transit of resources from the Russian energy company by means of its territory. Russia continues to supply gas and oil to Europe by means of Ukraine regardless of the war in Ukraine,...