Energy

Barclays has cut its 2025 Brent crude forecast by 4to4to70/barrel, warning of a “rocky road ahead” as escalating trade tensions and OPEC+ supply policy shifts threaten market stability. The bank now predicts a 1 million barrel/day surplus in 2025, widening to 1.5 mb/d in 2026, citing weakening macro conditions despite resilient demand from China and a stabilized property sector. […]

As Exxon Mobil and Chevron prepare to report Q1 earnings, investors are bracing for potential cuts to shareholder payouts amid a sharp decline in oil prices. The two largest U.S. oil producers have long prioritized dividends and buybacks to attract investors, but falling crude prices—driven by recession fears and new global tariffs—are squeezing cash flows. […]

SLB (NYSE: SLB) became the latest oilfield services giant to sound the alarm on shrinking producer budgets and tariff headwinds, after posting a first-quarter earnings miss amid steep drilling declines in Mexico, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. The company’s warning mirrors bleak outlooks from rivals Halliburton and Baker Hughes, underscoring a sector-wide contraction as oil companies prioritize shareholder […]

Russia and Iran cemented a far-reaching energy alliance Friday, signing preliminary agreements for massive gas transfers, nuclear power funding, and joint oilfield development—a direct challenge to U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran and curb Moscow’s fossil fuel revenues. Key Deals Why Now? Global Implications What’s Next? Why This Matters: Data Point: Iran holds the world’s 2nd-largest gas reserves but […]

Kazakhstan openly defied OPEC+ production limits Tuesday, with its energy minister stating the country will prioritize “national interests” over group quotas—a direct challenge to Saudi Arabia and a threat to the alliance’s unity. The declaration exposes the growing strain within OPEC+ as members grapple with foreign oil majors controlling key fields and the political fallout of output cuts. Kazakhstan’s […]

OPEC+ is considering a second straight month of accelerated oil production hikes at its June meeting, three sources told Reuters, as internal tensions flare over quota violations and the U.S. pressures the group to tame prices. The move could further destabilize a market already reeling from May’s surprise 411,000 bpd output boost—three times larger than originally planned. […]

ConocoPhillips (COP.N) is preparing layoffs as part of a major restructuring, the latest U.S. oil giant to tighten operations amid 63/barrelcrudeprices∗∗andintegrationcostsfromits∗∗63/barrelcrudeprices∗∗andintegrationcostsfromits∗∗23 billion Marathon Oil buyout. Dubbed “Competitive Edge,” the program—backed by Boston Consulting Group—aims to streamline the expanded company but risks further destabilizing an industry already reeling from Chevron and SLB job cuts. Restructuring Details Why Now? Human […]

Baker Hughes (BKR.O) delivered a mixed earnings report Tuesday, beating Q1 profit estimates on surging natural gas technology demand while cautioning that U.S. tariffs could carve 100M–100M–200M from its 2024 core earnings. The warning underscores how Trump’s trade policies are squeezing energy firms even as they capitalize on the AI-driven power boom. Key Numbers Tariff Toll Growth […]

Russia has slashed its 2025 oil price forecast by nearly 17%, acknowledging weaker global demand and prolonged trade headwinds that threaten to exacerbate its budget deficit. In a stark revision, the economy ministry now expects: Budget Crisis Looms Why the Downgrade? Russia’s Contingency Plans Global Context What’s Next?

The world’s top oilfield service firms enter earnings season under mounting pressure, as volatile crude prices, U.S. trade tariffs, and shrinking shale investments threaten profitability. With Halliburton (HAL.N) and Baker Hughes (BKR.N) reporting April 22 and SLB (SLB.N) following on April 25, investors brace for clues on how the sector will navigate its toughest challenges since the 2020 […]