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US firms are helping to develop oil and gas in Iraqi Kurdistan
Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy secretary, said that there is plenty of opportunity for U.S. collaboration on oil and natural gas development in Iraqi Kurdistan. This was despite Iraqi federal government's dispute over deals signed by U.S. firms with this region earlier this week. The Iraqi Kurdish Premier Masrour barzani signed two agreements with U.S. firms HKN Energy & WesternZagros in Washington this week. These deals are worth a total of $110 billion. Wright said at a Washington conference: "I see a great opportunity for American collaboration there, as evidenced by these two deals. We would love to see this commercial relationship flourish and grow." Baghdad’s oil ministry reacted quickly to the deals, calling them “null and null.” The control of oil and gas is a long-standing source of tension between Baghdad, Erbil and other Iraqi cities. Unofficially, an Iraqi official from the oil ministry said that the signing of these agreements was done without Baghdad’s knowledge. This would have a negative impact on efforts to resume exports of Kurdistan Regional Oil. An oil pipeline that runs through Turkey was halted in March 2023, after the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce found Ankara had violated the 1973 agreement by facilitating Kurdish imports without Baghdad’s consent. The negotiations to resume Kurdish crude oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, which handled 0.5% of world oil supply at one time, are stalled due to payment terms and contract specifics. Iraq's electricity generation is heavily dependent on imports of Iranian natural gas. The increase in oil and gas production by Iraqi Kurdistan could help northern Iraq to wean off its dependence on Iranian natural gas and maintain pressure on Tehran, as Washington attempts to stop it from developing nuclear weapons. Iran claims its nuclear program has peaceful purposes. Wright said that the development of oil, gas and other resources in Iraqi Kurdistan will help northern Iraq and allies. It's aligned very closely with President (Donald) Trump's He said that his agenda had unleashed the energy dominance of America and our allies in other countries.
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LSEG data indicates that Turkey's Urals oil imports are expected to increase in May.
LSEG data and two traders indicate that the imports of Urals oil by Turkey are expected to increase in May, after a top Turkish refiner (Tupras) resumed importing Russian Crude now that its price is below $60 per barrel. Tupras began buying Urals crude again in April, after stopping purchases in February because of U.S. sanctions. Data shows that the price of uranium in Russian ports has been below $60 per barrel since April 3. Tupras did not immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The Group of Seven (G7) countries have introduced a price cap that prevents Western companies from providing insurance or transport services to Russian oil cargoes at prices above $60 per barrel. LSEG data revealed that Urals crude oil from Russian ports will be shipped to Turkey for 1.2 million tonnes (about 283,000 barrels a day) in May. This is up from 0.9 millions tons in April, and equal to the January level. The data for May may be revised further, and some traders anticipate that supplies will be higher than currently expected. The second largest seaborne Urals crude importer is Turkey, after India. The country does not support the Western sanctions against Russia but adheres to international laws and regulations. Turkey imports CPC Blend, which is produced primarily by Kazakhstani companies, but loaded at Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka in Russia. According to LSEG, with the CPC Blend oil expected on board, Turkey's imports of oil from Russian ports in May will reach nearly 2 million tonnes, the highest level since July 2024.
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Boeing back in 'dynamic' production mode, engine supplier Safran says
Safran, the chief of an engine manufacturer and a key Boeing supplier, said that after years of uncertainty about setbacks with its 737 MAX jet passenger plane, U.S. aircraft maker Boeing has returned to a "dynamic" production profiling. Safran CEO Olivier Andries said at a meeting that the production of the benchmark narrow body jet is almost 38 per month. This is the limit imposed by U.S. authorities after a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines plane last year. Doug Ackerman, Vice President of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Quality, told reporters Tuesday that the planemaker anticipates stabilizing 737 MAX production to 38 aircraft per month in the next few months. Safran and GE Aerospace jointly produce the most popular jet engines in the world through CFM International, a joint venture. CFM's LEAP engine powers all Boeing 737 MAX, and it competes with Pratt & Whitney to win airline contracts for the Airbus A320neo. Safran's optimistic tone about Boeing's progress in restoring jet production contrasts sharply with the more cautious view of one of the largest leasing companies earlier on Thursday. Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, said that Boeing and Airbus made progress but still have "a long way to go" in order to achieve a predictable, stable production cycle. Andries, Safran's Andries, told Safran shareholders that the demand for aftermarket jet engine services had increased in part because of delays in new aircraft production caused by problems in supply chains in aerospace. Airbus said CFM was one of two suppliers that slowed down its production increases in the first half, while CFM said it was confident about accelerating during the second quarter. Airbus and Boeing LEAP engines are of different sizes, with different parts. Andries stated that Safran is receiving encouraging results from CFM’s wind tunnel and other tests for the successor engine to LEAP called RISE. This engine will reduce fuel consumption by 20% and emission by 20%. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman, Elaine Hardcastle and Florence Loeve)
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India claims it can suspend Celebi’s clearance without prior notice
The Indian government said Thursday that it was within its legal rights to revoke Celebi's authorization to provide aviation services at the ground level in Turkey without prior notice, as it concerned national security. Celebi’s clearance was revoked by India last Thursday amid increasing public anger following Turkey's support of Pakistan in the recent India - Pakistan conflict. Indians are also boycotting Turkish products, including jams, chocolates and coffee. Celebi has asked the Delhi High Court to annul the cancellation, claiming it was made without warning and on the basis of "vague and unexplained" "national security" fears. However, Solicitor-General Tushar mehta stated on Thursday that it didn't need to provide details to the company. In the past, Indian courts have held that national security concerns may override the need for fairness in certain cases. He said in this instance, it was not necessary to follow principles of natural justice. Mehta, the first Indian official to comment on Celebi’s case in detail before the court, said: "In certain situations it is impossible to give reasons for action or even an opportunity to hear a witness." Justice Sachin Datta received some information from the Indian government in a sealed envelope. The next hearing will be held on Friday. Randhir Jaiswal said earlier in the day that the Celebi issue had been discussed by the Turkish Embassy in New Delhi. Celebi claimed in its court filings that the decision has an impact on 3,791 jobs, and investor confidence. It also added that the company provided ground handling at airports located in New Delhi as well as Kerala, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Mehta argued Thursday, in defending Celebi’s cancellation, that airport ground operators had detailed access to both the physical infrastructure and passenger details. This included VIP movements. (Reporting and editing by Arpan chaturvedi, Aditya Kalra and William Maclean).
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Russell: Trump's unintended consequences of Canada's crude oil transfer to China are a lesson for him.
If there's a law of unintended effects, then the commodity markets are adapting to the reality and perceived threats of Donald Trump's tariff war. Trump's trade measures and tariffs have forced commodity producers, buyers, and traders to rethink long-established relations, adapt to new realities, and predict what could happen. It is clear that the commodity markets are adapting not only to the actual measures taken by the Trump Administration, but also the potential future actions. This has led to a desire to reduce exposure to the United States. One example is the seaborne crude oil exports from Canada that have shifted from the United States to China even though Trump has backed off his original plan to impose 10% tariffs on energy imports. The first time in history, Canada exported more crude oil by sea to China than to the United States. This shows how the market can change amid the uncertainty caused by Trump's tariff war. According to commodity analysts Kpler, Canada exported 299,000 barrels of crude oil per day to China in April. This is up from 277,000 barrels a day in March. The number of seaborne shipments into the United States in April was 286,000 bpd, which is roughly the same as March's 283,000 but lower than the record 431,000 bpd set in September last. The above figures only reflect the oil that is transported by vessel and do not include the much larger amounts of crude imported from Canada via pipelines and rail. Canada has been sending about 4 million barrels per day of crude oil to its southern neighbor via pipelines. While the volumes are steady, the prices have changed in Canada's favor, a result of Trump's chaotic policies. Western Canadian Select crude's discount to U.S. West Texas Intermediate is now at its lowest level in nearly 4-1/2 years, just under $9 per barrel. It was closer to $30 a few months ago. The sanctions that Trump imposed on Venezuelan crude, which is also heavy like Canadian crude, have reduced the amount available to U.S. refining companies. The United States refiners have to pay more because Canadian crude oil is in greater demand. The increasing price of Canadian crude calls into question the notion that Canada is more dependent on the United States. The United States appears to be quite dependent on Canadian crude oil, particularly if Trump has restricted the alternatives by imposing sanctions. SEABORNE SHIFT Canada also appears to have an advantage when it comes seaborne exports. Since the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion was completed in May of last year, Canada has increased its seaborne crude oil exports. Initially, it was expected that most of the oil would go to refiners in the U.S. West Coast. Canada's oil exports have changed since Trump returned to the White House late in January, and he increased his rhetoric as well as his actions against Canada's northern neighbour and former close ally. Although Trump has now backed off on any tariffs on Canadian energy imports, the damage is done. Canadian oil producers are eager to find alternative markets. Hence, China is the biggest oil consumer in the world. It has been eager to diversify its oil suppliers to reduce its dependence on the OPEC+ exporters. China has effectively stopped importing crude oil from the United States due to the increase in tariffs by Washington and Beijing following Trump's return. China has imposed a 10% tax on U.S. imports of oil, which is enough to make U.S. crude oil uncompetitive for Chinese consumers. Kpler reports that no U.S. crude oil is expected to arrive in China between May and June. China imported 417,000 barrels per day from the United States as recently as last June. The two grades of crude oil are not the same. China's oil trade is dynamic, and it is finding partners like Canada to help. These are the views of the columnist, an author for.
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Maguire: Solar is Germany's leading electricity source for April
Solar farms will dominate the power sector in Germany for the longest period of time ever after becoming the largest source of generation in the country. According to LSEG data, solar farms produced more electricity than any other source in April. This was a full month earlier than in 2024, when solar farms were the primary power source in the country from May to August. Solar farms would power Europe's biggest economy for five months straight if they remain the largest source of energy through August. Fossil fuels would only play a secondary role. Germany's total electricity needs are expected to fall in summer, as the heating demand drops. The share of clean energy in the mix could reach record levels - accelerating the energy transition in this influential country. SOLAR'S SWELL The approximately 11,920 gigawatt-hours (GWh) generated by Germany's utility scale solar farms in April 2023 was 31% more than the power generated during that same month in 2024 and nearly 60% higher than in April 2024. LSEG data show that the total generation of solar farms in Germany also exceeded 10,600 GWh by Germany's coal-fired plants and 9,634 GWh by wind farms. This helped to cement solar as a major power source for spring and summer. According to Ember, the energy think-tank, the key to solar expansion is a 90% increase in solar generation capacity from 2019. By 2024 there will be 90 gigawatts in utility-scale solar power in place across the country. Solar power capacity has increased by 43 GW since 2019. This is a far greater increase than other energy sources. The German solar capacity is expected to increase by 20 % just in the next few years, after 15 GW were added last year. This larger footprint helped boost solar's share in the mix of generation to new heights. The 32% share recorded in April was up from the 23% in the same month 2024. Solar's share in the mix of generation will continue to break records in the months ahead. The record of 35%, set in July last year, is a realistic target for next month. COAL BATTERY BUFFER AND COAL BUFFER Solar farms can only produce power in daylight hours, so power companies must have other sources of generation ready to meet system demands. In 2025, coal power plants are the main alternative for renewable energy in the country. The coal-fired electricity generation has risen by 44% in the first four month of 2025 compared to the same period in the year 2024. The gas-fired generation of power also increased sharply from January to the end of April, by 26% compared to the previous year. This was to compensate for a severe shortfall in German wind farm output which fell by 31% between January and April 2024. The coal- and gas-fired power plants in Germany will continue to play a major role during the summer months, particularly in the evenings when solar production drops. Even if solar production ceases, the rapid expansion of utility-scale batteries will likely cap fossil fuel production this summer. According to SolarPower Europe a regional renewable energies association, Germany's utilities have added just under 6 GWh in battery storage systems each of the last two years. The largest battery base in Europe will allow utilities store excess solar power generated during the day and discharge it during peak evening consumption. Batteries will also help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed, allowing Germany to make the most of its solar resources. These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.
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China and Philippines exchange blame for South China Sea clash
China and the Philippines exchanged accusations on Thursday after a confrontation between their vessels in contested water of the South China Sea. This was the latest incident of a longstanding maritime standoff along the strategic waterway. The Philippines' Fisheries Bureau said that the Chinese Coast Guard side-wiped and fired water cannons at a vessel conducting marine research near a disputed South China Sea Reef. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has condemned the "aggressive interfering" of the Chinese Coast Guard in Wednesday's incident against the Datu Sanday and another ship, saying that its vessels hadn't previously been subjected water cannons. The Chinese Coast Guard reported that two Philippine vessels illegally entered the waters near Subi Reef, Sandy Cay, and organised personnel for landing on Sandy Cay. In a press release, the Coast Guard said it took what it called professional and legal control measures. It went ashore and verified and handled the situation. The Coast Guard stated that a collision took place after a Philippine vessel ignored multiple warnings, and dangerously approached a Chinese ship, placing the full responsibility of the incident on the Philippine's side. Chinese officials did not mention the use of water cannons in their statement. MaryKay Carlson, the U.S. Ambassador to Manila, described China's aggressive actions and said, in a posting on X that they "recklessly threatened lives and threaten regional stabilty." Sandy Cay is located near Thitu Island. This island is the largest and strategically most important of nine islands that the Philippines occupy in the Spratly Archipelago. China, Malaysia and Taiwan are also present. China claimed that its Coast Guard landed on Sandy Cay last month as part of its operations to exercise sovereignty. The Philippines denies that Beijing has taken control of the reef. China claims sovereignty in nearly the entire South China Sea including areas claimed Brunei Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines and Vietnam. China has rejected a 2016 decision by an arbitral tribunal that Beijing's broad claims were not based on international law. (Reporting and editing by John Mair, Timothy Heritage and Beijing Newsroom; Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema)
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Venture Global is on course to become the top US LNG company if CP2 Project approved
According to LSEG and company statements, Venture Global will become the largest U.S. liquefied gas company next year if they continue to overproduce at their existing plants and proceed with their CP2 project. LSEG data shows that Venture Global, which was only founded three years ago, has a combined production capacity of 38.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), from its two Louisiana plants. This could rise to 66.5 mtpa once it completes the construction of its newest project, the 28 mtpa CP2 facility, also in Louisiana. This would place the company ahead Cheniere Energy, which is expected to have 60 mtpa by then. Jason Feer is the Poten and Partners' business intelligence chief. He said: "Two plants are already operational and a third plant is close to FID. Venture Global was able to surpass its competitors in terms of size by building components in factories outside of the U.S., and then assembling them in record time on its U.S.-based sites, Feer explained. The U.S. has become the top LNG exporter in the world due to the rapid growth of LNG production over the last few years. Production Higher Than Expected Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global, said in a recent earnings call that the company has been able produce more than they initially anticipated. The company originally expected to produce 10 million tons per annum at its first facility, Calcasieu Pass. It is currently ramping up at Plaquemines and in the process commissioning. The company has revised these capacities to 12 mtpa for Calcasieu Pass, and to 26.5 mtpa for Plaquemines. Sabel stated on the earnings call that "since we started ramping Plaquemines...the plant is producing significantly more than what our upper expectations were for production capacity...the 1400% we've talked about." The CP2 was originally proposed as 20 mtpa. However, the company increased that to 28 mtpa. Cheniere's position would be narrowly maintained without this increase in size at least until 2026. Cheniere has not responded to any questions regarding its potential loss of status as the United States' largest LNG producer. Venture Global made billions by trading LNG cargoes at the spot market for long periods of time, rather than selling it on long-term contracts with lower liquefaction charges. Calcasieu Pass was the first of its plants to begin commercial operations in April. The company received criticism from Shell, BP, and Repsol for this. The company, however, has decided to seek out long-term contracts in order to secure some of the extra LNG production of approximately 15 mtpa. Sabel said in the earnings call that they were excited to be able to sign more contracts for 20 years than originally planned. Shaylyn Hines, spokesperson for Venture Global, said that the company would also be offering shorter-term quantities. Reporting by Curtis Williams, Houston; editing by Jamie Freed
Lawyer: US should bring Boeing to trial for 737 MAX fraud.
A lawyer for the families of some victims said that the U.S. Justice Department must take Boeing to court in a criminal case arising from two deadly 737 MAX accidents and should reject any tentative agreement to let the planemaker avoid prosecution.
In a letter sent to the Justice Department, seen by on Thursday, lawyer Paul Cassell stated that it would be an injustice to allow Boeing to avoid a trial or plea of guilty.
"Any further concessions made to Boeing in this case would be completely inappropriate." This is the most deadly corporate crime in U.S. History.
As found by Judge O'Connor
Cassell wrote that he was referring to U.S. district judge Reed O'Connor.
Cassell said that the proposal of the government would allow Boeing to be its own probationary officer, as it would not need an independent monitor but instead hire its compliance consultant.
The department is outlined below
tentative deal
Families of victims will have until Thursday, Friday to submit written objections.
The agreement will prevent a trial scheduled for June 23 against the planemaker on a fraud allegation that it misled Federal Aviation Administration regarding a critical flight control system in the 737 MAX jet, its most popular model.
Boeing would be able to avoid being labeled a felon by the agreement.
Boeing and the Justice Department declined to comment.
Boeing has agreed to pay a maximum fine of $487.2million after the two fatal 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which occurred between 2018 and 2019.
Cassell pointed out Thursday that the former Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun had signed the deferred prosecution 2021 agreement.
Cassell wrote that "given Boeing's confession' of all relevant facts of the criminal act -- signed by the CEO of Boeing -- the risk of acquittal is virtually 0%" at trial.
Lawyers for the families reported that, in addition to $500 million Boeing had paid last year, the Justice Department informed families on Friday that Boeing was required to pay $444.5 millions into a fund for crash victims, divided equally per victim.
Since January 2024 when a MAX 9 that was missing four bolts in the door had a mid-air emergency, a door plug fell out. The FAA has set a monthly production limit of 38 planes. (Reporting and editing by Mark Porter, Franklin Paul and David Shepardson)
(source: Reuters)