Core Insights - The Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) has commenced oil production from the Pasakhi-14 well in Hyderabad district, Sindh, Pakistan, producing 1,100 barrels of oil per day, which supports the company's strategy for exploration and national energy security [1][3] Company Operations - OGDCL holds a 100% working interest in the Pasakhi and Pasakhi North Development and Production Lease, with the Pasakhi-14 well drilled to a depth of 2,183 meters targeting the upper sands of the Lower Goru formation [2] - The company employed advanced drilling technologies including a Rotary Steerable System (RSS), Electromagnetic Measurement While Drilling (MWD), and a nitrified mud system for the drilling of Pasakhi-14, marking the first use of a nitrified mud system to enhance directional control and formation integrity [2][3] - The well is equipped with electric submersible pump technology to facilitate production [3] Strategic Developments - The addition of Pasakhi-14 aligns with OGDCL's strategy of focused exploration, efficient drilling, and production optimization to meet the energy security needs of Pakistan [3] - In the previous year, OGDCL began production at Kunnar West Well-3, which produces 3.5 million cubic feet of gas, 30 barrels of condensate, and 3.8 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas daily [5] - Recently, OGDCL and its joint venture partners secured a provisional award for eight exploration blocks offshore Pakistan following a government-led competitive bidding round [6]

Core Insights - Indian state refiners have awarded their first joint, long-term tenders to Chevron, Phillips 66, and TotalEnergies for the import of U.S. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in 2026 [1] Group 1: Companies Involved - Chevron, Phillips 66, and TotalEnergies are the companies awarded the tenders for importing U.S. LPG [1] - This marks a significant step for Indian state refiners in securing long-term supply agreements [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - The awarding of these tenders indicates a growing reliance on U.S. liquefied petroleum gas by Indian refiners [1] - This move may enhance energy security for India as it diversifies its sources of LPG imports [1]

Group 1: Skillsoft Corp. (SKIL) - Skillsoft is an instructor-led training services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 240.9% over the last 60 days [1] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.36 compared to the industry average of 0.98, and it possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) - Micron Technology is a memory and storage products company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 24.4% over the last 60 days [2] - Micron has a PEG ratio of 0.51 compared to the industry average of 1.45, and it possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP) - Ultrapar is a distributor of liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, and kerosene with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 51.9% over the last 60 days [3] - Ultrapar has a PEG ratio of 1.96 compared to the industry average of 2.44, and it possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Group 1: Khor Mor Gas Expansion Project - Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum have commenced gas sales from the Khor Mor gas expansion project in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, completing the project eight months ahead of schedule [1] - The KM250 project adds 250 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of capacity, increasing total output to 750 MMscf/d, along with producing 7,000 barrels per day of condensate and 460 tonnes per day of liquefied petroleum gas [1] - The Khor Mor site currently meets around 80% of the Kurdistan Region's power needs, with a total financing of US$1.1 billion for the expansion project [1] Group 2: Geopolitical Context - The West is aiming to re-establish influence in Iraq, particularly to reduce Iran's longstanding dominance, with major U.S. and European oil and gas companies returning to the region [2] - The strategy includes fostering closer cooperation between the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with a focus on reducing ties with Chinese, Russian, and Iranian companies [3] - The UAE's cooperation is seen as crucial for the success of Western strategies in the Middle East, especially in light of its previous concerns regarding China's influence in the region [4]

Group 1: Skillsoft Corp. (SKIL) - Skillsoft is an instructor-led training services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 240.9% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.51, compared to 0.96 for the industry, and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Construction Partners, Inc. (ROAD) - Construction Partners is a civil infrastructure company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings has increased nearly 2% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.03, compared to 1.71 for the industry, and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP) - Ultrapar is a distributor of liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, and kerosene with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 33.3% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.97, compared to 2.56 for the industry, and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Group 1: Skillsoft Corp. (SKIL) - Skillsoft is an instructor-led training services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 240.9% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.47 compared to the industry average of 0.93 and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) - Lam Research manufactures and services semiconductor equipment and holds a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased nearly 3% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.72 compared to the industry average of 3.41 and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP) - Ultrapar is a distributor of liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, and kerosene, with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 33.3% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.01 compared to the industry average of 2.56 and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participacoes, Skillsoft, and Western Digital [1][2][3] Group 1: Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP) - Ultrapar Participacoes is a major Brazilian industrial group, one of the largest distributors of liquefied petroleum gas in Brazil, and a leading producer of petrochemicals [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 33.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Ultrapar has a PEG ratio of 1.98, which is lower than the industry average of 2.56, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft provides digital learning, training, and talent solutions and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The company has experienced a significant increase of 240.9% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.43, compared to the industry average of 0.99, and holds a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Western Digital (WDC) - Western Digital is a leading developer and manufacturer of data storage devices and solutions based on NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a 1.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Western Digital has a PEG ratio of 0.98, significantly lower than the industry average of 2.31, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participacoes, Skillsoft, and Seagate Technology [1][2][3] Group 1: Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP) - Ultrapar Participacoes is a major Brazilian industrial group, one of the largest distributors of liquefied petroleum gas in Brazil, and a leading producer of petrochemicals [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 33.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Ultrapar has a PEG ratio of 11.13, which is lower than the industry average of 18.70, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft provides digital learning, training, and talent solutions and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The company has experienced a significant increase of 240.9% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.40, compared to the industry average of 0.78, and holds a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Seagate Technology (STX) - Seagate Technology specializes in data storage technology and infrastructure solutions, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The company has seen a 4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Seagate has a PEG ratio of 0.87, which is lower than the industry average of 1.35, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Supply & Demand - India aims to secure its first long-term liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies from the US [1]

Core Viewpoint - On August 15, the domestic futures market for crude oil-related products showed significant gains, with liquefied petroleum gas leading the increase by over 1% [1] Group 1: Price Movements - As of August 15, the main crude oil futures rose by 0.91% to 488.00 CNY per barrel [1] - The main low-sulfur fuel oil futures increased by 0.06% to 3453.00 CNY per ton [1] - The main asphalt futures decreased by 0.40% to 3464.00 CNY per ton [1] - The main liquefied petroleum gas futures rose by 1.28% to 3881.00 CNY per ton [1] Group 2: Futures Price Data - The opening price for SC crude oil was 482.60 CNY, with a previous close of 481.90 CNY and a last settlement price of 483.60 CNY [2] - The opening price for fuel oil was 2708.00 CNY, with a previous close of 2700.00 CNY and a last settlement price of 2708.00 CNY [2] - The opening price for asphalt was 3485.00 CNY, with a previous close of 3472.00 CNY and a last settlement price of 3478.00 CNY [2] - The opening price for liquefied petroleum gas was 3859.00 CNY, with a previous close of 3858.00 CNY and a last settlement price of 3832.00 CNY [2] - The opening price for low-sulfur fuel oil was 3452.00 CNY, with a previous close of 3449.00 CNY and a last settlement price of 3451.00 CNY [2] Group 3: Warehouse Data - As of August 14, the warehouse data showed that the medium-sulfur crude oil futures warehouse stock was 4,767,000 barrels, unchanged from the previous trading day [3] - The fuel oil futures warehouse stock decreased by 12,000 tons to 80,710 tons compared to the previous trading day [3] - The asphalt futures warehouse stock remained unchanged at 41,710 tons, while the asphalt warehouse stock decreased by 200 tons to 31,840 tons [3] - The liquefied petroleum gas futures warehouse stock decreased by 5 contracts to 12,948 contracts compared to the previous trading day [3] - The low-sulfur fuel oil warehouse stock decreased by 4,970 tons to 16,080 tons compared to the previous trading day [3] Group 4: Basis Data - As of August 14, the basis data indicated a 'backwardation' phenomenon for fuel oil, asphalt, liquefied petroleum gas, and low-sulfur fuel oil, where spot prices exceeded futures prices [3] - The basis for fuel oil was 2,629 CNY, with a basis rate of 49.26% [3] - The basis for asphalt was 192 CNY, with a basis rate of 5.23% [3] - The basis for liquefied petroleum gas was 388 CNY, with a basis rate of 8.29% [3] - The basis for low-sulfur fuel oil was 117 CNY, with a basis rate of 3.27% [3]