Tagged With James Gavin
Gulf renewables push finds fresh ballast
19 March 2018
GCC states are rethinking their approach to energy pricing, as the solar PV revolution shatters old preconceptions
Kurdistan's lustre fades
8 November 2016
The haste for the region's assets has given way to a much more realistic view of its potential
Saudis keep pumps primed
13 October 2016
The kingdom is talking to other producers about curbing output, while doing its utmost to maximise its own
Iraq cobbles together an oil deal
12 October 2016
Erbil and Baghdad have struck an agreement on exports through Turkey, though many of the old problems could still ruin it
Iranian oil-output is surging, for now
20 September 2016
The scale of Iran's oil-output growth this year has been startling. Without IOCs, longer-term plans will prove more difficult
Oman production plugs on
3 June 2016
Strong output, but keeping it there is the challenge
Back to black in Qatar
3 June 2016
Having achieved its LNG output targets and focused on the downstream, Qatar is turning its attention to upstream oil again
UAE upstream standing still
3 June 2016
To judge from the slow progress of the Adco concession renewals, the UAE is in no real hurry to expand its upstream
Growth pause in Iraq
3 June 2016
Iraq’s output soared in recent years. But the price slump and politics mean further rises are getting harder
Kuwait's big plans, tricky politics
3 June 2016
Kuwait still hopes production will rise considerably between now and the end of the decade, but must overcome a number of hurdles
More and more Saudi oil
3 June 2016
Saudi Arabia has the capacity and resources to significantly increase production, should it want to
Qatari flexy time
4 April 2016
Qatar’s LNG marketing strategy has shifted. It is now cutting deals to keep its market share
For the majors, Middle East oil loses some lustre
15 March 2016
Poor investment terms, political risk and the weak oil price have made the majors less keen on the Middle East
Liquid, not solid
25 February 2016
Short of a full-on political decision to cut supply, the Middle East’s output will rise again this year
Slower than thought
19 February 2016
Politics, uncertainties over contract terms and physical constraints will cap the speed of Iranian oil’s revival
Unending conflict
10 February 2016
The course of war in Syria will go a long way to determining the wider Mena region’s fate in 2016
Will Iran's opening be slower than expected?
14 January 2016
Sanctions are about to be lifted but Iran is finding it difficult to convince foreign oil companies to invest in its ambitious oil and gas programme
IS terror attacks continue to threaten Saudi Arabia
3 December 2015
Islamic State may have the kingdom’s oil and gas sector in its sights after an attempted attack in Dhahran
Iran to adopt new contract for investors
23 November 2015
The country will present what it hopes is a more investor-friendly contractual regime, but international oil companies are still wary of close engagement with the country
UAE to invest $35bn in clean energy by 2021
8 October 2015
Energy minister's aim is to increase the share of renewable energy to 30% and to reduce that of natural gas to 70%
Iraq struggles to plug the financing gap amid low oil prices
30 September 2015
Baghdad is facing a cash crisis, while losing control of its northern oil assets
Uncertainty surrounding Israel's upstream activity
21 September 2015
Israel has sought to end years of upstream uncertainty, introducing new regulations for the development of offshore reserves, but obstacles remain
Iran's nuclear agreement could boost oil market
18 August 2015
Tehran’s mid-July nuclear agreement provides space for its re-entry into the global oil market, and for international oil companies to plant their flags back in the Islamic Republic
Vienna deal brings Iran’s oil back to market
16 July 2015
The clinching of the Iran nuclear deal in Vienna paves the way for the Islamic Republic’s re-emergence into the global oil market – if it gets past its opponents
Islamic State has eyes on oil production
26 June 2015
IS may have established a rudimentary oil and gas system, but it needs to find fresh production if it is to support itself
Islamic structures growing prominent in Middle Eastern oil
26 March 2015
Oil and gas companies have grown more comfortable with Sharia structures, which now figure prominently in some sizeable Middle Eastern financings
Saudis sticking to oil marketing strategy
26 February 2015
Despite downturn, Riyadh is confident enough to play the long game
Saudi ruler King Abdullah reshuffles his cabinet
10 December 2014
King Abdullah took the step as a response to growing criticism of the government
North Africa buffeted by fragile politics and markets
23 October 2014
Libya's oil output is recovering. But both it and neighbour Algeria are struggling to market their barrels
Gulf Cooperation Council producers wary in uncertain market
23 October 2014
The main Gulf Opec players are wary of ceding market share to rival producers, but also wish to keep prices in the comfort zone
Middle East: Saudis lead the charge
27 August 2014
The kingdom should emerge as the region's first major shale gas producer. But not quickly
Saudi Arabia: the Middle East's first major shale gas producer?
21 August 2014
The kingdom is pushing forward with unconventional gas should emerge as the Middle East's first major shale gas producer. But not quickly
LNG’s giant Qatar braces for international competition
17 April 2014
Qatar is looking to strike export deals with new customers and extend existing contracts, as it adjusts to the influx of new supply to the global market from rival exporters
Pricing reforms could spur India’s LNG imports
17 April 2014
Moves to close the gap between domestic gas prices and those of internationally traded gas could boost activity in India’s under-utilised regasification plants
North Africa packs Silurian heat
28 January 2014
The region has plenty of unconventional oil to exploit. Politics is the only real obstacle
North Africa Silurian hot shale has potential
24 January 2014
The region has plenty of unconventional oil to exploit. Politics is the only real obstacle
Tehran moots contract changes to attract IOCs
17 December 2013
Iran is preparing for a complete overhaul of its contract model, confident that the improved political atmosphere in light of the P5+1 deal will attract major international firms – so long as the terms are sufficiently inviting, reports James Gavin
Cairo looks to increase upstream efforts and ease IOC pain
30 September 2013
With foreign oil companies owed about $6 billion, Egypt's interim, military-backed government must make tough choices as it looks to keep production and investment flowing
Qatar sees changing energy policy and leadership
23 August 2013
A new emir and shifting global gas fundamentals mean things are likely to be different at the mighty QP
Turkey's state firms TPAO and Botas seek opportunities abroad
23 August 2013
With an energy-hungry domestic market to feed, TPAO and Botas see opportunities abroad, especially in Iraq
Politics bedevils East Mediterranean gas ambitions
14 August 2013
Gas discoveries have added fuel to the fire of regional tensions in the Levant
New Iran president looks for quick gains despite sanctions
8 July 2013
Hassan Rohani is gearing up to choose a new government, with the focus on bringing in capable hands that are comfortable dealing with IOCs
Syria: Disintegration and little sign of recovery
8 July 2013
The brutal civil war is dragging on. It is a disaster for Syria's people, economy and oil sector
Asian advance challenges IOCs in the Gulf
19 February 2013
Concession renewals in Abu Dhabi will test corporate appetites, as Middle Eastern governments hold out for more from their foreign partners
Softening oil prices will force adjustments in the Middle East
27 June 2012
With a lower oil-price outlook, project economics will need careful consideration. Securing project finance may also become more difficult. And government spending will, no doubt, need to be curbed. James Gavin reports from Bahrain
Saudi Arabia’s juggling act between demands
25 January 2012
The kingdom is poised to play a key role in shaping this year’s oil market, but it must maintain a delicate balance between global and domestic demands
Oil production grows as Kurds hit the on-switch
14 July 2011
With Kurdistan pumping 250,000 barrels a day (b/d) of oil and exporting three-quarters of that volume, Iraq’s north is emerging as the Middle East’s fastest-growing hydrocarbons player
Syria: Oil sanctions on the horizon
7 July 2011
Syrian opposition efforts to cut a big funding lifeline to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime may be about to yield fruit
Iraq’s reality check for oil production targets
13 May 2011
Reality is slowly dawning in Iraq of the implausibility of meeting even half of the 12 million barrels a day (b/d) of oil production the country is targeting by 2017
Kurdistan confronts enemies within and without
13 April 2011
Kurdistan faces many obstacles as it seeks to realise its untapped oil and gas potential