Core Viewpoint - The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has withdrawn its $18.7 billion bid to acquire Australian gas producer Santos, highlighting challenges faced by foreign companies in acquiring Australian assets [1] Group 1: Acquisition Attempt - ADNOC's withdrawal follows months of negotiations over valuation and terms, indicating a slowdown in its aggressive overseas expansion strategy [1] - This marks the third failed acquisition attempt for Santos, which previously rejected a $10.8 billion offer from Harbour Energy in 2018 and terminated merger talks with Woodside Energy last year [1] Group 2: Company Statements - Santos expressed concern over the lack of a formal agreement, which it expected to finalize by September 19, and highlighted the consortium's refusal to share risks fairly [1] - The consortium, which includes ADNOC's subsidiary XRG, Abu Dhabi sovereign fund ADQ, and private equity firm Carlyle Group, stated that the decision was made after considering all commercial factors and expressed readiness to undertake new long-term commitments for Australian energy production [1]

Oil and Gas - KazTransOil supplied 160,000 tons of crude oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline in June [2] - Russian Urals crude oil prices are $2 per barrel below the $60 price cap set by Western countries due to weakening Brent crude prices [2] - IEA raised oil supply forecasts for this year and next, noting a decline in Iranian crude production and exports in June, while Saudi oil production surged above OPEC+ quotas [2] - EU representatives are nearing agreement on the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, including a mechanism to lower the price cap on Russian oil [2] - Iraq set the official selling price for Basrah medium crude oil for August at a discount of $1.15 per barrel to Argus sour crude for North and South America, a premium of $1.35 per barrel to Oman/Dubai average for Asia, and a discount of $0.55 per barrel to Brent for Europe [2] Precious Metals and Mining - Spot silver surpassed $39, with a year-to-date increase of 35% [3] - Goldman Sachs predicts continued strong demand for gold from central banks, forecasting gold prices to reach $4,000 per ounce by mid-next year [3] - ANZ forecasts gold prices to rise to $3,500 per ounce by the end of Q3 2025, while platinum prices may fall to $1,250 per ounce if they do not break through $1,400 per ounce [3] US Tariffs - Thailand's finance minister is considering zero tariffs on more US imports [4] - South Korean officials indicated a potential trade framework agreement with the US before August [4] - EU officials plan to deepen trade agreements with Asian countries in response to US tariffs [4] - Italy's foreign minister stated that the EU is prepared with a €21 billion tariff list on US goods if no agreement is reached with the US [4]

国家统计局：天然气生产增速加快。5月份，规上工业天然气产量221亿立方米，同比增长9.1%，增速 比4月份加快1.0个百分点；日均产量7.1亿立方米。1—5月份，规上工业天然气产量1096亿立方米，同比 增长6.0%。 ...