The head of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Youssef Qeblawi, said on Monday that oil major Shell had requested to withdraw from the al-Omar oilfield and transfer its share to Syria's state-owned operators. ...

Core Viewpoint - Shell and Mitsubishi Corp are considering selling their stakes in the C$40 billion ($28.8 billion) LNG Canada project, indicating a potential shift in their investment strategies in the LNG sector [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Shell and Mitsubishi Corp are exploring sale options for their respective stakes in the LNG Canada project [1] - The project is valued at C$40 billion, equivalent to $28.8 billion, highlighting its significant scale in the LNG market [1] Group 2: Market Implications - The potential sale of stakes by these major companies could impact the LNG market dynamics and investment landscape [1] - This move may reflect broader trends in the energy sector, particularly in relation to LNG investments and partnerships [1]

Key Takeaways Shell and Exxon halted the sale of North Sea gas assets to Viaro after deal conditions were not met.The transaction stalled as shifting market and commercial factors blocked completion.The portfolio of key offshore fields and the Bacton terminal will now be operated by Shell.Shell plc (SHEL) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) have called off their planned sale of U.K. North Sea natural gas assets to Viaro Energy, ending months of negotiations and regulatory engagement. The companies said the co ...

Group 1 - Shell and ExxonMobil have terminated their plans to sell UK natural gas assets, with Shell stating that the sale of North Sea assets did not meet certain conditions [1] - The decision reflects ongoing challenges in the energy sector, particularly regarding asset valuations and market conditions [1] - The termination of the sale plans may impact the companies' strategic positioning and future investment decisions in the UK market [1] Group 2 - The North Sea assets are significant for both companies, and their sale was anticipated to generate substantial revenue [1] - The move indicates a cautious approach by Shell and ExxonMobil in navigating the complexities of the current energy landscape [1] - This development may lead to a reevaluation of investment strategies in the UK natural gas sector by other industry players [1]

Market - US stock market experienced a decline for the second consecutive day, with the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all falling, primarily driven by poor performance in technology stocks, particularly chip stocks like Nvidia, which dropped due to export restrictions [2] - Bank stocks also struggled, with Wells Fargo's revenue falling short of expectations, while Bank of America and Citigroup exceeded expectations but could not support the high market levels. The banking sector faced additional pressure from Trump's call for credit card interest rate reforms [2] - Despite strong PPI and retail sales data, the market remained low due to concerns over the independence of the Federal Reserve and rising geopolitical risks, particularly related to Iran [2] Company - Tesla announced it will stop selling its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software at a fixed price and will instead offer it as a monthly subscription service starting at $99, leading to a 1.79% drop in its stock price [3][33] - Cerebras secured a significant contract with OpenAI worth over $10 billion, committing to provide 750 MW of computing power by 2028, which will help reduce its reliance on a single customer [32] - Wells Fargo reported profits below expectations, with a significant $612 million spent on severance costs, leading to its stock experiencing the largest intraday drop in six months [40] - Bank of America reported a 23% increase in stock trading revenue to $2.02 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, but concerns over costs led to a 5% drop in its stock price [41] - Boeing announced it received 1,173 net orders in 2025, surpassing Airbus, although its stock fell 1.7% in early trading [42]

Core Insights - Petrobras (PBR) and Shell plc (SHEL) have launched the Carbon Countdown initiative to measure carbon stored in Brazil's soils and forests, marking a significant step in Brazil's commitment to sustainable practices and climate transparency [1][3][14] Investment and Collaboration - The Carbon Countdown project involves a combined investment of over $18.6 million (R$100 million), equally funded by PBR and SHEL, aiming to create Brazil's first comprehensive and standardized database of terrestrial carbon stocks [3][4] - This collaboration highlights the urgent need for enhanced scientific data and improved carbon accounting mechanisms in addressing climate change [2] Data Collection and Methodology - The project will include extensive fieldwork with approximately 6,500 sampling sites and over 250,000 soil analyses, providing precise measurements for the national carbon database [7][9] - In addition to soil analysis, the assessment of 1,000 forest plots will estimate carbon stored in vegetation, ensuring a holistic view of carbon sequestration across various ecosystems [8][9] Impact on Climate Policy - The initiative aims to provide Brazil with country-specific data on carbon sequestration, filling a significant gap in its climate accounting system and enhancing the accuracy of emissions inventories and land-use policies [4][5] - By establishing a robust national baseline, the project seeks to strengthen Brazil's participation in international climate negotiations [5][6] Transparency and Scientific Integrity - The project will be conducted under the scientific guidance of the Center for Carbon Studies in Tropical Agriculture at the University of São Paulo, ensuring rigorous academic standards and transparency in data publication [10][11] - The findings will be made publicly available, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure that the data serves legitimate climate policy improvements [10][11] Future of Brazil's Carbon Market - If successful, the Carbon Countdown project could reform Brazil's approach to measuring, valuing, and trading carbon, providing tools for effective climate strategies at both national and international levels [12][13] - The initiative is expected to benefit agricultural producers by offering a more accurate representation of carbon sequestration, which has been historically underreported [13] Conclusion - The Carbon Countdown initiative represents a pivotal opportunity for Brazil to enhance its carbon measurement capabilities and credibility in global climate negotiations, influencing climate policy and carbon market development [14]

Francesco Mazzagatti claims he is part of a ‘vexatious campaign of defamation, harassment and extortion’ - Aaron M Sprecher Shell has abandoned the £500m sale of almost a dozen gas fields in the North Sea to an oil trader accused of fraud. The oil giant said on Wednesday that it will no longer proceed with the sale to Francesco Mazzagatti’s Viaro Energy, claiming that completion conditions relating to the deal “were not met”. It comes after The Telegraph revealed a litany of allegations against Mr Mazz ...

Core Viewpoint - Shell and Exxon Mobil have decided to halt the planned sale of their natural gas assets in Britain's Southern North Sea to Viaro Energy, as stated by Shell in a recent announcement [1] Company Summary - Shell has officially announced the suspension of the sale of its natural gas assets in the Southern North Sea [1] - Exxon Mobil is also involved in the decision to halt the sale alongside Shell [1] Industry Summary - The natural gas sector in the Southern North Sea is experiencing a significant transaction halt, which may impact market dynamics and asset valuations in the region [1]

Group 1 - The energy company has indicated that its fourth-quarter oil-trading performance is expected to be weak, which will negatively impact earnings [1] - This warning aligns with a similar statement made by British peer Shell, suggesting a broader trend in the industry regarding oil trading performance [1]

Core Viewpoint - The oil sector's recent outperformance compared to commodity prices may not be sustainable, with potential challenges expected by 2026 [1]. Group 1: Market Performance - Last year, both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude prices fell by approximately 20%, yet shares of major international oil companies increased between 4% and 18% [2][10]. - The top five international oil companies are projected to generate nearly $96 billion in free cash flow in 2025, despite WTI averaging just under $65 per barrel, comparable to 2008 levels when WTI averaged over $99 [6][11]. Group 2: Cost Management Strategies - Oil executives are focusing on significant cost reductions, including workforce cuts of up to 20% at companies like Chevron and Shell [4][10]. - By minimizing operational and project expenditures, companies have managed to mitigate the effects of declining commodity prices [6][10]. Group 3: Financial Resilience - The sector has benefited from reduced debt levels following the commodity windfall from 2021 to 2023, allowing companies to maintain dividends and buybacks, except for BP [8][11]. - Despite these measures, the current average of $58 per barrel for WTI in 2023 indicates potential further declines in free cash flow, compounded by lower natural gas prices and weaker refining and chemical margins [9][11].