BB Energy adapts to change
The trader is evolving its business model and seeing opportunities in the market’s challenges
Family-owned independent trading house BB Energy is one of the firms grappling with the changing oil trading environment and the squeeze on the middlemen as both traditional buyers and sellers grow in sophistication. But the company is not fazed by the tougher conditions, says its managing director in the Middle East, Khaled Bassatne. It is altering its business model for a changing market, and banking strongly on the strength of its relationships. The firm has expanded from its Lebanese roots to offices in London and Athens, then into Singapore, the US and the Middle East, which is now "core" to the business. It has as many as 14 offices globally, as well as satellite operations in smaller

Also in this section
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
6 August 2025
Diesel market disruptions have propelled crude prices above $100/bl twice in this century, and now oil teeters on the brink of another crude quality crisis
5 August 2025
After failed attempts to find a buyer for its stake in Russia’s largest oil producer, BP may be able to avoid the harsh treatment meted out to ExxonMobil and Shell when they exited—and could even restart operations if geopolitical conditions improve
1 August 2025
A number of companies have filed arbitration claims against Gazprom over non-deliveries of contracted gas or other matters—and won. The next step is to collect the award, but this is no easy task