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☆ Explainer: Iran's expanding oil trade with top buyer China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Here are key facts on Iran's oil trade with China:HOW MUCH IRANIAN OIL IS CHINA BUYING? HOW DOES IRANIAN OIL ENTER CHINA? Almost all Iranian oil entering China is branded as originating from Malaysia or other Middle Eastern countries. China regulates crude oil imports by issuing quotas. Giant state refiners Sinopec and PetroChina were once key Iranian oil clients, with investments in oilfields in the country.

Persons: Raheb, Donald Trump, refiners, China's, Muyu Xu, Florence Tan, Tony Munroe, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Imports, Reuters, Brent, Washington, State Department, Thomson Locations: Iranian, Iran, Israel, Tehran, China, CHINA, Washington, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, China's Shandong, Kpler, Shandong, Russia, Venezuela, Beijing, U.S

☆ US House easily passes bill to harden sanctions on Iranian oil
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Iranian flag with stock graph and an oil pump jack miniature model are seen in this illustration taken October 9, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives easily passed a bill on Friday to bolster sanctions on Iranian oil in a strong bipartisan vote. The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) bill, which passed 342-69, would impose measures on foreign ports and refineries that process petroleum exported from Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. While Congress can pass sanctions legislation, such measures often come with national security waivers that allow presidents discretion in applying the law. Despite U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil over its nuclear program, its exports of crude are soaring.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Mike Lawler, Jared Moskowitz, Joe Biden, Marco Rubio, John Kennedy, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, Vortexa, Timothy Gardner, Richard Cowan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, Iranian Petroleum, Republican, Senate, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Iran, Israel, Tehran, China, Russia

☆ US House Easily Passes Bill to Harden Sanctions on Iranian Oil
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives easily passed a bill on Friday to bolster sanctions on Iranian oil in a strong bipartisan vote. The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) bill, which passed 342-69, would impose measures on foreign ports and refineries that process petroleum exported from Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden before becoming law. While Congress can pass sanctions legislation, such measures often come with national security waivers that allow presidents discretion in applying the law. Despite U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil over its nuclear program, its exports of crude are soaring.

Persons: Mike Lawler, Jared Moskowitz, Joe Biden, Marco Rubio, John Kennedy, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, Vortexa, Timothy Gardner, Richard Cowan, David Gregorio Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . House, Iranian Petroleum, Republican, Senate, Democratic Locations: Iran, Israel, Tehran, China, Russia

The other tier comprises mainstream vessels that use Western services for legal oil shipments, including from Russia under the terms of the price cap. In the short term, available ghost vessels could be in particular demand, making chartering them more expensive. Even so, some analysts say removing the price cap could be the way to really punish Russia. But he said that was very unlikely because the price cap at least allows Russian oil to flow, thereby moderating international prices. "The Biden administration is already reeling from higher oil prices compounded by the unrest in Gaza, potentially spreading to a wider Middle Eastern conflict.

Persons: Alexandre Meneghini, Ioannis Papadimitriou, Mike Salthouse, FGE, Vortexa’s Papadimitriou, Richard Bronze, Adi Imsirovic, Biden, Natalie Grover, Robert Harvey, Julia Payne, Andrea Shalal, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Maersk, EU, White House, United Arab, Shell, BP, Exxon Mobil, Exxon, U.S, . Treasury, Treasury, Novy Port, Surrey Clean Energy, Thomson Locations: Liberia, Russia, Matanzas, Matanzas , Cuba, Ukraine, United States, Euronav, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, U.S, India, Novy, Gaza, London, Brussels, Washington

The decision by Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend the voluntary cuts drove up oil prices to over $90 a barrel in late September. Saudi crude exports to China rose to nearly 1.6 million bpd in September, up from 1.2 million bpd in August and 1.37 million bpd in July, Kpler data showed. U.S. CRUDE EXPORTS FALLAs the U.S. sees less crude imports, it has exported less oil to Europe. U.S. crude exports to Europe fell to 1.86 million bpd in September and 1.84 million bpd in August, from 2.01 million bpd in July, Kpler data showed. Tight supply led the premium for front-month Brent crude futures to rise to as much as $3.26 a barrel above the second month , the highest since 2022.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Matt Smith, Smith, refiners, Vortexa's Rohit Rathod, Adi Imsirovic, Brent, Stephanie Kelly, Alex Lawler, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Port, REUTERS, Brent, Organization of, Petroleum, Total U.S, Americas, Kpler, West, Surrey Clean Energy, CSIS, Midland, P, Insights, Thomson Locations: Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Russia, Nigeria, Algeria, Saudi, China, Richmond , California, Los Angeles, Midland, Brent

☆ From Russia to the Middle East: Why China can’t afford another big conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas threatens to spiral into a broader conflict that could shatter stability in the Middle East, China has called for a ceasefire while criticizing Israel’s actions. It also highlights China’s deep economic interests in both Russia and the Middle East, which it wants to safeguard at all cost. The world’s second largest economy depends on Russia and the Middle East for much of its energy needs. The Middle East is also a cornerstone in the Belt and Road Initiative. “Regional conflagration means long instability and long instability means no business for China in the Middle East,” he added.

Persons: ”, Eswar Prasad, refiners, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sergei Guneyev, Russia’s, Putin, Russia —, Wang Yi, Jean, Loup Samaan, Joe Biden, QatarEnergy, Ahmed Aboudouh, Antony Blinken, Blinken, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Moscow, Palestinian, Cornell University, Getty, Initiative, Shanghai’s Fudan University, United, China’s, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Wednesday, Jihad, Energy, China Petroleum & Chemical Co, Sinopec, Fudan University, Chatham House, US Department of State Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Ukraine, East, Palestine, Israel, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Russian, AFP, Pakistan, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Gaza, Qatar, China’s, Qatari, London, “, Persian, ”

☆ Russia-China energy cooperation in focus as Putin visits Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

It insists the ties do not flout international norms, and China has the prerogative to collaborate with whichever country it chooses. According to China's customs data, the growth of China's exports and imports with Russia on a year-on-year basis quickened in September from August. China is Russia's second-largest buyer of Russian oil after India. Russia's main gas export route is a 4,000-km (2,500-mile) pipeline Power of Siberia that links East Siberian fields to northeast China. Russia aims to build a second gas pipeline to China, Power of Siberia 2, with capacity for 50 bcm a year to run via Mongolia.

Persons: Maxim Shemetov, Wang Wentao, Vladimir Putin's, Russia's Novatek, Vladimir Soldatkin, Guy Faulconbridge, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Commerce, Vortexa, Russia's, Reuters, European, VEB, Supplies, CNPC, Thomson Locations: Siberia, Svobodny, Amur, Russia, China, United States, Beijing, Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, India, Kpler, Kozmino, Baltic, Brazil, Urals, Oman, European Union, That's, Europe, Power, Mongolia, Sakhalin, Qatar

Oil and gas tanks are seen at an oil warehouse at a port in Zhuhai, China October 22, 2018. Reuters' analysis of China's savings on oil purchases from the three sanctioned countries compares what Chinese importers would have paid by purchasing similar grades from non-sanctioned producers. For imports of Venezuelan oil, mostly heavy grade Merey, China saved an average of $10 a barrel versus comparable Colombian Castilla crude, the calculations based on the trader data showed. With January-September inflows of Venezuelan oil at around 430,000 bpd, according to the average of the Vortexa and Kpler data, China's savings from buying Venezuelan oil was $1.17 billion. TEAPOT MARGINSWith state refiners Sinopec and PetroChina refraining entirely from buying Iranian and Venezuelan crude, teapots have feasted on discounted oil from the two suppliers.

Persons: Aly, Kang Wu, Brent, Viktor Katona, Chen Aizhu, Muyu Xu, Tony Munroe Organizations: REUTERS, refiners, Reuters, P, Administration, Customs, Vortexa, Russia's, Castilla, Brent, U.S . State Department, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Zhuhai, China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, SINGAPORE, United States, Moscow, Tehran, Caracas, East, West Africa, South America, Beijing, Kpler, Kozmino, Baltic, Ukraine, Europe, India, Brazil, Urals, Oman, U.S, Venezuelan, teapots, Shandong, Israel

☆ Chevron Australia workers to restart strikes next week after deal talks falter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Union workers are set to go on strike at Chevron’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia next Thursday, in renewed action that could disrupt about 7% of global LNG supply. The proposed deals had contained improvements in pay and other conditions, leading unions to call off strikes at the time. Fresh strikes could again threaten to disrupt production at Chevron’s hugely significant Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities, located near the coast of Western Australia. In separate statements shared with CNN, Chevron and the alliance said they had worked to draft agreements based on recommendations from Australia’s Fair Work Commission. Chevron added that it remained “committed” to a deal and hoped to resolve the last outstanding issues.

Persons: “, ”, Felix Booth, — Olesya Dmitracova Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Union, Chevron, Offshore Alliance, CNN, Chevron Australia Locations: Hong Kong, Australia, Western Australia, reneging, ”

☆ Russia waters down its ban on diesel exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Russia’s government announced Friday that it had largely reversed a ban on diesel exports imposed just two weeks ago in an attempt to stabilize domestic fuel prices. Most of Russia’s diesel exports are transported this way, according to data firm Vortexa, with a smaller portion delivered by rail to ports on the Black Sea. Moscow has accounted for over 13% of global diesel supply so far this year, according to Vortexa. Following the EU ban on imports, Russia redirected Europe-bound diesel to countries such as Turkey and Brazil. Russia relies on revenues from its energy exports, including vast quantities of crude oil, for a big chunk of its federal budget.

Persons: London CNN —, —, Brent Organizations: London CNN, world’s, —, Union, Russian, Brent Locations: Russia, Europe, Moscow, Turkey, Brazil, Saudi Arabia

The government said the lifting of restrictions applies to companies that supply at least 50% of the produced diesel fuel to the domestic market. Restrictions on railway diesel exports remain in place, with the exception on exports to some ex-Soviet states. A resumption of Russian diesel exports will have the biggest impact on Turkey and Brazil, Russia's two biggest buyers this year. Traders expect the lifting of the diesel ban could mean Asian diesel cargoes which would have replaced Russian exports in Africa and Turkey will now stay in the region, adding to already ample supplies. The diesel ban will have the biggest impact because Russia is the world's top seaborne exporter of the fuel, just ahead of the United States.

Persons: Transneft, Serena Huang, Maxim, Alexander Novak, Vortexa, William Maclean Organizations: TASS, Traders, REUTERS, Kommersant, Kremlin, FGE Energy, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, LONDON, SINGAPORE, Russia, Soviet, Baltic, Turkey, Brazil, Africa, Konstantinovo, Moscow, United States

☆ China is swing factor in diesel’s global squeeze
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

As demand enters peak season, Xi’s ability to dictate how much Chinese oil companies export looks like the key swing factor. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsGlobally, demand for diesel and gasoil is around 28 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the International Energy Agency. Of the world’s 8 million bpd export flows, Russia exported on average 1 million bpd in the nine months to September, according to consultancy Vortexa. Even so, China last year overtook the United States as the world’s biggest refiner, with total refining capacity of 18.4 million bpd. That would limit Chinese exports to below 400,000 bpd, according to Vortexa, adding to tightness elsewhere.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sun, Brent, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, International Energy Agency, Longzhong, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Saudi, U.S, Singapore, El, Russia, Vortexa, China, United States, Europe, Beijing, Moscow

TASS news agency cited Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov as saying the government "at all levels" had been discussing partial permission for fuel exports. Europe could also fill some of the gap left by the Russia gasoline ban. Northwest European suppliers, which lost market share in West Africa to Russian supplies this year, could step in, FGE said. Since banning Russian fuel imports, Europe has been seeking suppliers elsewhere, including from the Middle East. As a result, traders said they expected Northeast Asian refiners in China and South Korea to boost diesel exports to Europe.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Alexander Novak, Vortexa, Nikolai Shulginov, JP Morgan, FGE, Edmund Blair, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Traders, Kremlin, Kommersant, TASS, Analysts, FGE Energy, WHO, BE, European Union, Gulf, Diesel, Northwest, Competition, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka Bay, Nakhodka, Russia, LONDON, SINGAPORE, Soviet, United States, Ukraine, Europe, Brazil, Turkey, North, West, East, Gulf, gasoil, India, Africa, Kpler, U.S, Gulf Coast, America, West Africa, China, South Korea

India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, also raised imports from Iraq while taking less Saudi oil, the data showed. India imported about 1.55 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil in September, 16% more than in August, while imports from Iraq increased by 17% to about 1.1 million bpd, LSEG data showed. Vortexa pegged imports of Russian oil at 1.52 million bpd, compared with 1.44 million bpd in August. India's Saudi Oil Imports surged in Aug, Russia fell to 7-mth lowAccording to Kpler data, India's imports of Russian crude jumped back to 1.8 million bpd in September from less than 1.5 million bpd in August. They mostly purchase Russian oil on the spot market, while largely relying on term contracts for Middle Eastern crude.

Persons: Viktor Katona, Kpler's Katona, Nidhi Verma, Mohi Narayan, Arpan Varghese, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Saudi Oil Imports, Thomson Locations: DELHI, Russia, LSEG, India, Iraq, Kpler, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine

The diesel ban will have the biggest impact because Russia is the world's top seaborne exporter of the fuel, just ahead of the United States. Europe could also fill some of the gap left by the Russia gasoline ban. Northwest European suppliers, which lost market share in West Africa to Russian supplies this year, could step in, FGE said. Since banning Russian fuel imports, Europe has been seeking suppliers elsewhere, including from the Middle East. As a result, traders said they expected Northeast Asian refiners in China and South Korea to boost diesel exports to Europe.

Persons: Alexey Malgavko, Vortexa, JP Morgan, said.Turkey, FGE, Edmund Blair Organizations: Traders, Kremlin, FGE Energy, WHO, BE, European Union, Gulf, Diesel, Northwest, Competition, Thomson Locations: Omsk, Russia, LONDON, SINGAPORE, Soviet, United States, Ukraine, Europe, Brazil, Turkey, North, West, East, Gulf, gasoil, India, Africa, Kpler, U.S, Gulf Coast, America, West Africa, China, South Korea

☆ Russia’s diesel export ban may be just its latest attempt to hurt Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —Russia’s decision to ban diesel exports to most countries could not have come at a worse time for Europe. But the EU still needs a steady flow of Russian diesel to global markets to keep prices stable. The Russian government announced the curbs — which also apply to gasoline — Thursday, saying they were aimed at stabilizing domestic fuel prices. Diesel is Europe’s economic workhorse, powering the majority of vans and trucks ferrying goods and raw materials round the continent. Before Europe imposed its import ban, Russia supplied 40% of the country’s diesel.

Persons: London CNN —, ” Jorge León, ”, Natalia Kolesnikova, Pamela Munger, Henning Gloystein, Gloystein, “, Tim Lister, Anna Chernova Organizations: London CNN, European Union, Reuters, Kremlin, Diesel, Analysts, European, Rystad Energy, CNN, Gazprom, Getty, Eurasia Group, “, Brent Locations: Europe, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South America, East, North Africa, AFP, Turkey, United States

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a meeting with Chile's Ambassador to Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela August 16, 2023. Energy trade, debt repayment and new financing likely are the main focus of the Sept. 8-14 visit, officials and sources said. Beijing's decision to host Maduro coincides with a G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend. In 2020, the Maduro administration and Chinese banks again agreed to a grace period on some $19 billion of Chinese debt, according to Reuters reporting. Despite sanctions on Venezuela, China imported around 390,000 barrels per day of crude from the country between January and August this year, totalling roughly 12.9 million metric tons, data from commodities consultancy Vortexa showed.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Han Zheng, Wang Yi, hegemonism, Han, Pedro Tellechea, Tellechea, Xi Jinping, Maduro, Hugo Chavez's, Joe Biden's, PDVSA, CNPC, Donald Trump, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Joe Cash, Vivian Seuqera, Mayela, Marianna Parraga, Christopher Cushing, Frances Kerry, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, West, Energy, China National Petroleum Corp, Venezuelan, Venezuelan Oil, Shanghai International Energy Exchange, Shanghai Petroleum, Natural Gas Exchange, South, Shanghai, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Miraflores, Caracas, Rights BEIJING, CARACAS, China, OPEC, Beijing, Shanghai, Asia, New Delhi, Malaysia, South American, Houston

The improvement has largely been driven by stronger demand for refined fuels across Asia as economies open up from the COVID-19 pandemic, with China's domestic demand leading the charge. Margins have also been helped by the ability of refiners to pass on higher prices for refined fuels quickly, while still processing crude bought months in advance at lower prices. It's also likely that the strong refining margins in Asia will attract refiners in China and India to maximise exports of fuels such as gasoline and diesel. The profit margins for refined fuels have risen in recent sessions largely because the price of crude oil has dropped more than the prices for refined fuels. Crude prices rallied from July onwards as OPEC+ tightened supply, especially with the producer group's leading exporter Saudi Arabia announcing an additional 1 million barrel per day cut to its production.

Persons: Caroline Chia, It's, Brent, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, Saudi, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tuas, Singapore, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Dubai, South Korea, Vietnam, China, India, Refinitiv, Saudi Arabia, OPEC

REUTERS/Jennifer Hiller/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Surging U.S. crude exports in 2023 are pushing down oil prices in Europe and Asia, proving a key source of supply as producers cut output and sanctions on Russian crude disrupt trade flows. U.S. crude exports are also easing the loss of supply after Saudi Arabia deepened output cuts from July, above what major producers agreed to in June. The widening exports illustrate the increasing influence of crude from the U.S., the world's biggest oil producer, in the global market. U.S. crude exports have averaged 4.08 million barrels per day so far in 2023, up from an average of 3.53 million bpd in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. PRESSURE EXTENDSThe pressure exerted from the WTI Midland exports is even extending to Asian markets for Middle Eastern crude.

Persons: Jennifer Hiller, Brent, it's, Joel Hanley, Rohit Rathod, Adi Imsirovic, John Evans, Muyu Xu, Alex Lawler, Arathy, Florence Tan, Simon Webb Organizations: REUTERS, Midland, P, Energy Information Administration, WTI Midland, United, Dubai, Surrey Clean Energy, Gazprom Marketing, Organization of, Petroleum, Exchange, Futures, Thomson Locations: Texas, U.S, SINGAPORE, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Midland, Dubai, Africa, Brazil, Singapore, WTI, Saudi, London, Houston

☆ Oil eases ahead of China, U.S. data, but OPEC+ cuts support market
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices dipped in early Asian trade on Monday as investors tread cautiously ahead of fresh economic data from top consumers the United States and China this week, while expected crude supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia supported the market. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $78.25 a barrel by 0107 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $73.57 a barrel, down 29 cents, or 0.4%. "Oil traders may be cautious ahead of the U.S. CPI and China's slew of economic data later this week," CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said. However, crude prices could rebound after OPEC+ announced plans to further reduce supply, she said. Money managers raised their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to July 3, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday.

Persons: Tina Teng, Morgan, Tony Sycamore, Baker Hughes Organizations: Brent, U.S . West Texas, U.S . CPI, CMC, U.S, Chevron, Federal Reserve, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission Locations: Stanton , Texas, United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Saudi, Ain Sukhna, OPEC, Strait, Hormuz

SINGAPORE, July 10 (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped in Asian trade on Monday as investors tread cautiously ahead of fresh economic data from top consumers the United States and China this week, though expected crude supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia limited losses. "Oil traders may be cautious ahead of the U.S. CPI and China's slew of economic data later this week," CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said. However, crude prices could rebound after OPEC+ announced plans to further reduce supply, she said. "The presence of economic slowdowns in China adds to the prevailing uncertainty in the oil market," said Mukesh Sahdev, head of downstream and oil trading at Rystad Energy. U.S. oil rigs fell by five to 540 last week, lowest since April 2022, according to a Baker Hughes report on Friday.

Persons: Tina Teng, China's, Mukesh Sahdev, Morgan, Tony Sycamore, Baker Hughes, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, Tom Hogue, Stephen Coates Organizations: Brent, U.S . West Texas, U.S . CPI, CMC, Rystad Energy, OPEC, Federal Reserve, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Saudi, Ain Sukhna, OPEC

Companies Equinor ASA FollowMorningstar Inc FollowNEW YORK, July 7 (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed about 2% to a six-week high on Friday as supply concerns outweighed fears that further interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce demand for oil. "OPEC+ production cuts are expected to tighten the market, driving supply deficits in the second half of 2023, supporting higher oil prices," analysts at U.S. financial services company Morningstar said in a note. OPEC will likely maintain an upbeat view on oil demand growth for next year, sources close to OPEC said. Russia's latest pledge to reduce oil exports will not require a similar cut in production, a government source told Reuters. Higher borrowing costs could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Morningstar, Russia's, Vortexa, James Knightley, Janet Yellen, Shadia Nasralla, Sudarshan, Jason Neely, David Evans, David Gregorio Our Organizations: ASA, Morningstar, . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, Oil, Equinor ASA, U.S . Federal Reserve, ING, U.S . Energy Information Administration, U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Brent, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, Saudi, Ain, Norway, Mexico, China, Europe, Ukraine, Germany, London, Singapore

☆ Iran says it had court order to seize Chevron tanker
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, July 6 (Reuters) - Iran said on Thursday it had a court order to seize a tanker in Gulf waters a day earlier after it collided with an Iranian vessel, one of two tankers the U.S. Navy said it prevented Iran from commandeering. The Richmond Voyager, a Bahamas-flagged oil tanker, had collided with an Iranian vessel and the Iranian navy had a court order to seize it, the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Iran's Hormozgan Province told the official IRINN news agency. It said Iranian authorities had asked the tanker to stop and had fired shots but the Iranian navy vessel departed when McFaul arrived. U.S. oil company Chevron (CVX.N), which manages the Richmond Voyager, said its crew were safe and the vessel was operating normally. The U.S. Navy had earlier responded to an incident involving the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in the same region.

Persons: McFaul, IRINN, TRF Moss, Lisa Barrington, Tom Hogue, Jason Neely Organizations: U.S . Navy, Richmond, Iranian, Rescue Center, Iran's, Richmond Voyager, Chevron, Marshall, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Iran, Iranian, commandeering, Bahamas, Iran's Hormozgan Province, Oman, Richmond, U.S, United States, Hormuz

☆ Iran's Revolutionary Guards seize commercial ship in Gulf - U.S. Navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards "forcibly seized" a commercial ship in international waters in the Gulf on Thursday and the vessel was possibly involved in smuggling, a U.S. Navy spokesperson said. The U.S. Navy had monitored the situation and decided not to make any further response, U.S. 5th Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim Hawkins said. Iran said on Thursday it had a court order to seize one of the tankers sailing in Gulf waters on Wednesday after it collided with an Iranian vessel. read moreTehran seized two other tankers in May including the Marshall Islands flagged Advantage Sweet, which had been chartered by Chevron. read moreSince 2021, "Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels", the U.S. Navy said this week.

Persons: Tim Hawkins, Ambrey, Hawkins, Jonathan Saul, Hugh Lawson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Guards, U.S . Navy, . 5th Fleet, Richmond, Marshall, Chevron, Thomson Locations: Gulf, U.S, British, Saudi, Dammam, Iran, Hormuz, Oman, Gulf of Oman, Iranian, Bahamas, Chevron, Tehran

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