By Jeffrey P. Snider The front end of the oil price complex continues to get all the attention because it seems to further the more optimistic narrative. It is the back end, however, that is most significant. The nearer maturities of the futures curve reflect more the funding environment than the fundamental view of oil and … Continue reading
By Michael Lelyveld China’s biggest oilfield is suffering huge losses as the government seeks to avoid layoffs despite prices that have dropped below production costs. On April 8, the official Xinhua news agency reported that the Daqing oilfield in northern Heilongjiang province lost over 5 billion yuan (U.S. $769 million) in the first two months … Continue reading
Rising oil prices ahead of the production freeze talks in Doha added $3.7 billion to the value of Russian output, according to Bloomberg based on data from the International Energy Agency. Saudi Arabia got a $3.3 billion boost. Even the countries not involved in the talks have benefited from the freeze fuss. The US got … Continue reading
The failure of the world’s leading oil producers to reach an agreement on capping production has been aggravated by the threat of more sparring between Saudi Arabia and Iran over market share. The talks failed after Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they wouldn’t agree to a deal unless Iran joined in. … Continue reading
Despite an insignificant rise this year, investment in Canada’s oil industry is expected to decline 62 percent from its 2014 peak due to falling crude prices, warns the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Oil and gas spending was expected to drop to $31 billion in 2016 from a record of $81 billion in 2014, … Continue reading
By Jeff Desjardins, Visual Capitalist The Arctic has been the fascination of many people for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, the Europeans saw the Arctic’s frigid waters as a potential gateway to the Pacific. The region has also been home to many unique native cultures such as the Inuits and Chukchi. Lastly, it goes without saying that … Continue reading
By Jeff Desjardins, Visual Capitalist The start of 2016 has been a roller coaster for investors. Global markets had their worst ever start in the first trading days of the year, with the S&P 500 eventually shedding 10.5% by early February. Stocks have rebounded since then, but tension is still in the air with record longs on … Continue reading
The company running China’s power grid is proposing a $50 trillion global electricity network to tackle pollution and climate change. If it goes ahead the network would use advanced renewable solar and wind technology and be operating by 2050. Beijing’s network will be the world’s biggest infrastructure project, if given the green light. The State … Continue reading
In a new economic outlook for 2016-2018, the Russian Economic Development Ministry says recession this year won’t be as significant, as previously forecast. The economy is due to return to growth in 2017, provided the oil price is above $45 a barrel. Previously, the ministry expected Russian GDP to contract 0.8 percent this year. In … Continue reading
By Ben Aris Megastar investor and notorious Russia bear Jim Rogers says Russia is one of the best places in the world to invest into. That from a man who spent 47 years rubbishing the country. Predicting that there will be serious economic problems in the next few years as the commodity cycle turns further … Continue reading