Ukraine War contributes to substantial increase in U.S. LNG exports to Europe. Washington—Annual marketed production of natural gas increased in the United States to a record high in 2022...more
There have been media reports recently that have discussed the disposition of crude oil that is being released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). You may recall that the Biden Administration ordered emergency sales...more
The Fed Chair waiting game is officially over, with the White House affirming its confidence in Chair Powell on Monday by indicating that it will renominate him to another 6-year term at the helm of the central bank. ...more
In 2015, I noted that the then-Governor of Alaska had decided that it was necessary to increase drilling for oil in Alaska to raise the money necessary to cope with the impact of climate change. I suggested that Governor...more
Opportune Managing Director Randy Osterberg gives his thoughts on how banks are adjusting to a "new normal" amid a downcycle in the oil and gas industry. ...more
Oil production, the main source of foreign currency earnings in Venezuela, dropped to 740,000 barrels per day in March 2019, compared with the average production of 1.6 million barrels during 2018 and 2.2 million in 2017. ...more
Africa must have clear plan for using its gas reserves - It is vital that Africa has a clear and cohesive vision in place for how it plans to use its gas reserves, says New Partnership for Africa's Development Business...more
It’s hard to find something positive these days to write about Venezuela. Some basic facts tell the story of the misery there. Consumer prices this year might rise one million percent. The minimum wage was increased by...more
Theranos founder and ex-CEO Elizabeth Holmes has been indicted on federal fraud charges along with former company president Ramesh Balwani. The charges come three months after Holmes settled civil charges with the SEC....more
Perhaps this is one of the first articles you’re reading about the debt crisis in Venezuela. It won’t be the last. The situation there is bad and will get worse. ...more
A CEO never expects to be wiretapped. Let’s face it – a wiretap in the C-Suite is rare. Justice Department prosecutors have always looked for an opportunity. CEOs have loose lips and can suffer significant damage from...more
In the face of dropping oil prices, the SEC has launched an investigation into how Exxon Mobil Corp. has valued its assets. While the value of competitors' assets have dropped dramatically since oil prices have plunged,...more
On October 9, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 261-159 to end the 40-year-old ban on the export of domestic crude oil. The bill has been sent to the Senate for consideration, where it is unclear if it will be passed....more
According to the BBC, Alaska Governor Bill Walker has concluded that more drilling for oil is necessary in order for Alaska to have the funds necessary to pay to mitigate the costs of climate change in Alaska. Such costs...more
The exploration and production of oil and natural gas in Brazil has been on the rise and, as anticipated, the volume of proven reserves in the country has increased in recent years. In 2014, Brazil had 16.2 billion barrels...more
The signing of the JCPOA regarding Iran nuclear sanctions may usher in a new era of major international investment in the Iranian oil and gas industry....more
Reserve based lending (RBL) is a type of financing where a loan is secured by the undeveloped reserves of oil and gas of a borrower. The facility is repaid using the proceeds that derive from sales in the field or portfolio...more
In This Issue: Environmental and Policy Focus - Solar development absorbing California farmland; Vast oil reserve may now be within reach, and battle heats up; Arizona sues U.S. EPA over coal power plant emissions;...more