Oil & Energy

Brent Oil Rises Above $106

Published

12 years ago

February 10, 2014

Brent crude was above 106
dollar a barrel last Thursday as global economic growth worries hurt demand.
The oil market has mostly escaped the recent selloff in risky assets, which was sparked by emerging markets turmoil and a mixed picture on global economic growth.
“Commodities have largely been unaffected by the emerging market turmoil so far.
Industrial metals are to be affected, while the energy market is getting support from the fact that the global economy presumably is back on the right track,” said Mark Keenan.
Keenan is head of commodities research in Asia at Societe Generale.
Brent crude was trading two cents higher at 106.27 dollars per barrel, having settled up 47 cents the session before.
U.S. crude rose 14 cents to 97.64 dollars a barrel, after closing up 19 cents.
The benchmark was supported as severe snow and ice storms in the Northeastern states boosted demand for heating fuels.
U.S. stocks of distillates fell 2.4 million barrels last week – more than expected.
Inventories of the fuels on the East Coast declined to their lowest level since April 2003 due to the continued cold spell, government data showed.
“While distillate stocks normally draw at this time of the year, since the start of the year they have done so at a greater-than-normal rate and from a particularly low base level,” Harry Tchilinguirian, said in a note.
Tchilinguirian is head of commodity markets at BNP Paribas.
Still, the country-wide drop in distillates should more be attributed to a rise in exports and a weekly decline in production than to cold weather, Tchilinguirian said.
Demand for jet fuel, however, could be hit with 2,880 flights cancelled on Wednesday throughout the U.S.
Oil markets were also supported by a pickup in the U.S. services sector in January, with steady strength in private-sector hiring.
Crude stocks at Cushing fell 1.6 million barrels to 40.3 million barrels last week, reflecting the start-up last month of TransCanada Corp’s 700,000 barrel-per-day Gulf Coast pipeline.
It had been expected to ease a glut at the Oklahoma storage hub.
Support for U.S. crude narrowed the gap to the international benchmark to 8.63 dollars per barrel on Thursday.
The spread touched 7.94 dollars per barrel on Wednesday, the narrowest since Oct. 10, before closing at 8.87 dollars per barrel.
The narrowing gap comes as many investors have pulled out of heavy speculation in the spread.
“We have seen a clear step back from the speculative community, including hedge funds, simply because they lost so much money on trading the spread.
“As a result, the spread is now more driven by fundamental factors, and this will keep volatility in the spread lower,” said Keenan, who expects the spread to narrow further.
“When you see a big increase in bets on either side of the current price, which usually suggests that the market will stay range bound.”

Oil & Energy

MIND Slams PENGASSAN, Urges Senate Probe Over Alleged Maltreatment Of Nigerians At TotalEnergies

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND) has criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over what it describes as an evasive response to allegations concerning the treatment of Nigerian employees at TotalEnergies.

In a statement issued by its Western Coordinator, Ebi Warekromo, MIND expressed disappointment at PENGASSAN’s attempt to distance itself from a petition submitted to the President of the Nigerian Senate, maintaining that its petition is grounded in verified evidence and first hand accounts from affected workers.

Warekromo noted that the submission draws extensively from documented correspondence originating from PENGASSAN’s local branch communications that previously raised concerns about unfair labour practices and managerial misconduct within TotalEnergies.

Among the critical issues highlighted are allegations of workplace bullying and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by certain expatriate staff.

The petition also cites serious security concerns and alleged violations of the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development (NOGICD) act, particularly claims that expatriate positions have been unlawfully extended beyond their approved tenures.

Warekromo who dismissed PENGASSAN’s characterization of the documents as merely ‘internal correspondence’ as weak and disingenuous, insisted that workers’ rights violations and systemic oppression cease to be internal matters once they begin to harm Nigerian employees.

The group argued that confidentiality must not be used as a shield for injustice, stressing that internal dispute resolution mechanisms must deliver measurable outcomes.

Where such mechanisms fail, MIND insists that public and legislative oversight becomes necessary

beyond the immediate allegations, questioning PENGASSAN’s independence and effectiveness in representing its members.

The group urged the union to welcome a Senate hearing, describing it as an opportunity to clarify its position, restore credibility, and rebuild trust among workers.

“We are not attacking PENGASSAN. We are responding to the absence of effective representation that has allowed these oppressive practices to persist unchecked”,

MIND emphasised its belief that when unions appear reluctant to act decisively, civil society organizations have a responsibility to intervene in pursuit of justice and equitable labour relations.

Calling for a collaborative response, the group urged workers, unions, regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders to work together toward fostering a healthier and more accountable environment within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It further reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and urged PENGASSAN to take concrete and transparent steps to fulfill its mandate as a labour union.

Oil & Energy

Elumelu Tasks FG On Power Sector Debt Payment

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has urged the Federal Government to fast-track the settlement of debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos).

Elumelu said that the timely payment was imperative to boosting power supply and accelerating economic growth.

Speaking to State House correspondents, shortly after the meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Weekend, Elumelu insisted that the debt payment would aid in revitalising the power sector and stabilising the economy while strengthening the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said “All of us who are in the power sector are owed significantly, but in spite of that, we continue to generate electricity. We want to see the payments made so that there will be more provision of electricity to the country. Access to electricity is critical for the development of our economy.”

Elumelu, whose conglomerate has major investments in Nigeria’s power industry, stressed that improving electricity supply remains one of the most important enablers of economic expansion, job creation and industrial productivity.

According to him, President Tinubu recognised the urgency of resolving the liquidity challenges in the power sector and is committed to addressing legacy debts to ensure generation companies can scale operations.

“The President realises it, embraces it and is committed to doing more, especially helping to fast-track the payment of the power sector debt so that power generators can do more for the country. That is very, very critical,” he added.

In his assessment of the outlook for 2026, he said growing macroeconomic stability, improved foreign exchange management and sustained reforms in the power sector could position Nigeria for stronger growth — provided implementation remains consistent and structural bottlenecks are addressed.

Elumelu posited that one priority stands out, which is: resolving power sector liquidity challenges to unlock increased electricity generation and energise the Nigerian economy.

Oil & Energy

‘Over 86 Million Nigerians Without Electricity’

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has been said to have more than 86 million of its population still without access to electricity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, stated this at the Award Ceremony of the Leadership Newspaper, in Abuja, last Thursday.

Mohammed noted that sixty per cent of the world’s best solar resources are on this continent adding that by 2040, Africa could generate ten times more electricity than it needs, and entirely from renewables.

Mohammad regretted that Africa now receives just two per cent of global clean energy investment saying, “And here in Nigeria, more than 86 million people still have no access to electricity at all.”

Expressing concerns over the large population of Nigerians living without access to electricity, the deputy scribe, said however, that Nigeria is responding to this challenge the right way insisting that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has developed a best-in-class action plan for climate, one that treats climate not as a constraint but as an engine for growth.

According to her, by placing energy access, climate-smart agriculture, clean cooking, and water management at the heart of its development agenda, Nigeria is showing what serious climate leadership looks like but Nigeria cannot close the climate action gap alone.

“Developed countries must the triple adaptation financing, we need for serious contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, and mobilize 300 billion dollars per year by 2035 for developing countries to succeed. Early warning systems need to reach everyone, so that communities have the means to prepare for climate shocks before they hit.

“And as Africa drives the global renewables revolution, including through its critical minerals, Africans must be the first and primary beneficiaries of the wealth that they generate”, Mohammed stated.