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The EPL was raised from its initial 25% rate to 35% in November, bringing the overall tax burden to 75%. With Friday's changes the windfall tax would fall away, reducing the tax burden to 40%, if average oil and gas prices fall to or below $71.40 a barrel for oil and 0.54 pounds ($0.6784) per therm for gas in two consecutive quarters. However, the government said independent price forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility suggest the price floor mechanism is unlikely to be triggered before the windfall tax’s planned end date in March 2028. UK North Sea oil and gas producers including TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) and Harbour (HBR.L) have said the levy would result in them cutting investment in the basin. Reuters GraphicsBritain was a net exporter of oil as recently as the 2000s, but now depends on both oil and gas imports.

Persons: Sarah Young, Shadia Nasralla, William James, Kate Holton, David Goodman Organizations: Brent, OPEC, Iraq, Reuters Graphics Britain, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Britain

"The Saudi cut lifted prices slightly, and then the chatter of the potential return of Iranian barrels saw a large drop. Oil prices had risen early in the week, buoyed by Saudi Arabia's pledge over the weekend to cut more output on top of the cuts agreed earlier with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies. However, a rise in U.S. fuel stocks and weak Chinese export data have weighed on the markets. Some analysts expect oil prices to rise if the U.S. Federal Reserve pauses hiking interest rates at its next meeting over June 13-14. The Fed's decision may also influence Saudi Arabia's next move, analysts said.

Persons: Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Saudi Arabia's, Rob Haworth, Craig Erlam, Shariq Khan, Shadia Nasralla, Yuka Obayashi, Marguerita Choy, Richard Chang Organizations: Saudi, Brent, U.S . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Northern, U.S, Bank Asset Management, U.S . Federal, Thomson Locations: China, BENGALURU, U.S, Iran, Saudi, US

[1/2] A tug boat pushes an oil barge through New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2022. WTI was headed for its highest close since May 26 and Brent on track for its highest close since May 29. Open interest in futures contracts rose on Thursday to the highest since July 2021 for Brent and March 2022 for WTI. Oil traders have turned their attention to the June 4 meeting of OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia. On the demand side, manufacturing data out of China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, painted a mixed picture.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Brent, WTI, Baker Hughes, Craig Erlam, Erlam, Shadia Nasralla, Andrew Hayley, Susan Fenton, Kirsten Donovan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Congress, YORK, U.S, . West Texas, WTI, Senate, U.S . Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: New York Harbor, of, New York City, U.S, Russia, OPEC, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, London, Beijing

[1/2] A tug boat pushes an oil barge through New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidLONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday after a U.S. debt ceiling deal averted a default in the world's biggest oil consumer and jobs data indicated a possible rate hike pause, while attention turned to a meeting of OPEC ministers and their allies at the weekend. Earlier signals of a potential pause in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve also provided support to oil prices, not least by weighing on the U.S. dollar , making oil cheaper for holders of other currencies. Meanwhile, manufacturing data out of China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, painted a mixed picture. Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; additional reporting by Andrew Hayley; editing by Susan Fenton and Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid LONDON, Shadia Nasralla, Andrew Hayley, Susan Fenton, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, U.S ., Organization of, Petroleum, U.S . Institute for Supply Management, Thomson Locations: New York Harbor, of, New York City, U.S, Russia, China

[1/2] A tug boat pushes an oil barge through New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidLONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday after a U.S. debt ceiling deal averted a default in the world's biggest oil consumer, while attention turned to a meeting of OPEC ministers and their allies at the weekend. Earlier signals of a potential pause in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve also provided support to oil prices, not least by weighing on the U.S. dollar , making oil cheaper for holders of other currencies. Investor attention is also fixed on the June 4 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, collectively called OPEC+. Meanwhile, manufacturing data out of China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, painted a mixed picture.

Persons: Brendan McDermid LONDON, Shadia Nasralla, Andrew Hayley, Susan Fenton, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, U.S ., Organization of, Petroleum, U.S . Institute for Supply Management, PMI, Thomson Locations: New York Harbor, of, New York City, U.S, Russia, China

Companies Us Fuel International Inc FollowMay 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Thursday as traders warily watched for signs of progress on talks to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, after surging in the previous session on optimism over U.S. fuel demand. The U.S. dollar held near a seven-week peak on Thursday, making oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. President Joe Biden and top U.S. congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday underscored their determination to reach a deal soon to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avoid an economically catastrophic default. Also weighing on prices was the increased possibility of another interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The strength of April U.S. economic data, in addition to optimism about the debt ceiling negotiations and the health of regional banking stocks overnight have strengthened market expectations of a further hike, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday.

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) will likely face one of its most acrimonious annual meetings next week as it struggles to balance investor pressure to capture profits from oil and gas and a vocal minority saying it must move faster to tackle climate change. Big Oil firms posted record profits last year amid soaring energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That resolution echoes a ruling by a Dutch court telling Shell to adjust its climate targets, which Shell has appealed. It also said it was pleased that proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis had recommended votes against the Follow This resolution. The measures, however, did not prevent climate activist participants from heckling and disrupting proceedings before being escorted out, some carried by security staff.

LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) shareholders should vote against a climate activist resolution seeking faster emissions cuts, proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said on Saturday, while acknowledging the merits of the proposal. Shell investors will vote at an annual general meeting on May 23 on a resolution filed by the Follow This activist shareholder group which asks the energy giant to align with the 2015 Paris climate deal. Shell has recommended its shareholders vote against the Follow This proposal. It said the merits of the activist resolution are "fully accepted" but if adopted it would "represent a change in strategy from the one that Shell has adopted" which is why ISS recommends a vote against it. At Shell's 2022 shareholder meeting, Follow This received 20% of votes, down from 30% the previous year.

Shell shares were up 0.8% by 1242 GMT. "In Q1, Shell delivered strong results and robust operational performance, against a backdrop of ongoing volatility," Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan said in a statement. Sawan, who took the helm in January, told reporters he was focused on narrowing a wide gap in the share performance of Shell and its European peers against their U.S. rivals. Lower natural gas prices in the quarter weighed on Shell's giant integrated gas business, with profits slumping 18% to $4.9 billion. Shell showed "strong operational performance in the quarter across all divisions with oil and gas trading playing a key role," Jefferies analyst Giacomo Romeo said in a note.

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationSummarySummary Companies Shell maintains dividend unchangedAnnounces $4 bln in share buybacksLONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) on Thursday posted first-quarter net profit of $9.65 billion, topping analysts' forecasts, as strong earnings from fuel trading and higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales offset cooling energy prices. Lower natural gas prices in the quarter weighed on Shell's giant integrated gas business, with profits slumping 18% to $4.9 billion. Shell shares were up 2% by 0830 GMT. Reuters GraphicsPROFITS BEATShell reported adjusted earnings of $9.65 billion in the first quarter, exceeding a company-provided analyst forecast of $8 billion. That compared with earnings of $9.1 billion a year earlier and $9.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, when Shell reported a record annual profit of $40 billion.

[1/2] Shell logo and stock graph are seen through a magnifier displayed in this illustration taken September 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationSummarySummary Companies Shell maintains dividend unchangedAnnounces $4 bln in share buybacksLONDON, May 4 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) on Thursday posted first-quarter net profit of $9.65 billion, topping analysts' forecasts, as strong earnings from fuel trading offset cooling oil and gas prices. Shell reported adjusted earnings of $9.65 billion in the first quarter, exceeding a company-provided analyst forecast of $8 billion. That compared with earnings of $9.1 billion a year earlier and $9.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, when Shell reported a record annual profit of $40 billion. Lower natural gas prices in the quarter weighed on Shell's giant integrated gas business, with profits slumping 18% on the quarter to $4.9 billion.

SummarySummary Companies Shell, Equinor shares outperform sector indexRivals BP, Chevron, Exxon also beat expectationsOil and gas prices slumped in first quarterShell shares up 2.1%, Equinor up 2.7%LONDON/OSLO, May 4 (Reuters) - Energy giants Shell (SHEL.L) and Equinor (EQNR.OL) reported higher-than-expected first-quarter profits on Thursday, using the heft of their trading desks to offset lower oil and gas prices. The stronger-than-expected profits from the two companies follow forecast beating results from rivals Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), Chevron and BP over the past week. Shell's shares were up around 2.1% in early trading and Equinor shares rose around 2.7%, outperforming a European index of oil and gas companies (.SXEP) which was up around 1%. Benchmark Brent crude oil prices averaged $81 per barrel in the first three months of the year, down 16% from a year earlier and 7% from the fourth-quarter. Lower natural gas prices also weighed on Shell's giant integrated gas business, with profits slumping 18% on the quarter.

First-quarter underlying replacement cost profit, the company's definition of net income, reached $4.96 billion, up from $4.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022 and above expectations of $4.3 billion in a company-provided survey of analysts. The profit reflects "an exceptional gas marketing and trading result, a lower level of refinery turnaround activity and a very strong oil trading result", BP said, noting the partial offset from lower oil and gas prices and refining margins. BP had reported a $6.25 billion profit in the first quarter of 2022. Benchmark Brent crude oil prices averaged $81 per barrel in the first three months of the year, down 16% from a year earlier and 7% from the fourth-quarter. BP's profit hit a record $28 billion in 2022 on soaring energy prices and market volatility which benefited its large trading business.

SummarySummary Companies Profit lifted by strong tradingBP to purchase $1.75 bln of sharesLONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - BP (BP.L) made a $5 billion profit in the first quarter of 2023, up from the previous three months on the back of strong oil and gas trading as the company pared back a share buyback programme. The profit reflects "an exceptional gas marketing and trading result, a lower level of refinery turnaround activity and a very strong oil trading result", BP said, noting the partial offset from lower oil and gas prices and refining margins. Benchmark Brent crude oil prices averaged $81 per barrel in the first three months of the year, down 16% from a year earlier and 7% from the fourth-quarter. BP's profit hit a record $28 billion in 2022 on soaring energy prices and market volatility which benefited its large trading business. The company had said in February it would repurchase $2.75 billion worth of shares over the next three months after buying $11.7 billion in 2022.

TOKYO, April 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices were heading for another monthly decline on Friday after disappointing U.S. economic data and uncertainty over further interest rate hikes weighed on the demand outlook. Brent prices retraced earlier losses after data showed the euro zone returned to growth in the first quarter, albeit only modestly and more slowly than expected. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost 15 cents, or 0.2%, to trade at $74.61 a barrel and is set for its sixth straight monthly decline. Data on Thursday showed that U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter. Investors are worried that potential interest rate hikes by inflation-fighting central banks could slow economic growth and dent energy demand in the United States, Britain and the European Union.

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) - A group of investors with $1.1 trillion in assets under management has joined climate activist group Follow This in asking TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) shareholders to push for more ambitious targets on emissions cuts. "These climate resolutions at Big Oil will show which investors are serious about resolving the climate crisis and which prefer to just talk about it." TotalEnergies has said its emissions will not register a big reduction by 2030 in absolute terms. In 2020, the last time TotalEnergies shareholders voted on a Follow This resolution, the activist received 17% of the votes. TotalEnergies' climate strategy was approved by about 90% of shareholder votes in 2021 and 2022.

☆ Shell sees stronger LNG volumes and oil product performance in Q1
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Shell PLC FollowApril 6 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) expects higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) output in the first quarter after outages at its Australian plants last year as well as stable earnings from LNG trading, it said on Thursday. Shell, which recorded a record $40 billion profit last year, said In an update ahead of results due on May 4 that it expected first-quarter liquefaction volumes of 7 to 7.4 million tonnes, up from 6.8 million tonnes in the previous quarter. Its oil products division also likely boosted earnings through a "significantly higher" trading performance, the world's biggest fuel retailer said. It expects to have paid between $2.6 and $3.4 billion in tax for the first quarter, down from $4.4 billion. Its renewables unit is set to contribute $100 to $700 million to adjusted earnings, compared with $300 million in the last quarter of 2022.

NEW DELHI/LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) - Global fuel suppliers are turning to longer and costlier routes that produce more carbon emissions to move their diesel and other products as Western restrictions on Russian cargoes have reshuffled global energy shipping patterns. The ban comes on top of a halt late last year on Russian crude sales into the bloc as well as Western price caps. Also in March, Russian clean products shipped to Togo reached 973 million MT-NM, up from zero in November. Conversely, Russian exports to the Netherlands dropped to 238,200 tonnes in February from 1.15 million tonnes in September. Those longer distances are being done at higher costs for Russian products than for typical shipments from Europe.

LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) - BP (BP.L) shareholders should vote against its annual report and remuneration policy and support the "Follow This" climate activist resolution at BP's shareholders' meeting, Britain's Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) has recommended in a report seen by Reuters. In February BP rowed back on plans to slash oil and gas output and emissions and will not offer shareholders a vote on its climate strategy as it did last year when they backed it. LAPFF in a report to its members said it was "disappointed with the slackening of 2030 aims for emissions reduction". "LAPFF is further disappointed that there is not a company resolution on transition planning this year, especially given the material changes since the last one." They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Oil settles 1% higher on tightening supplies, cooling US inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Shariq Khan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The most actively traded Brent futures, for June delivery, settled up $1.29, or 1.6%, at $79.89 a barrel. Brent futures for May delivery, which expired upon settlement, gained 50 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at $79.77 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) for May delivery settled higher by $1.30, or 1.8%, at $75.67 a barrel, gaining about 9% for the week. Signs that inflation is slowing tend to support oil prices as this could point to less aggressive interest rate hikes from the Fed, lifting investor demand for risk assets like commodities and equities. Brent settled lower for the third quarter in a row, the first time that has happened since 2015.

☆ Oil ticks up as US inflation cools, but set to end March lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Shariq Khan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent futures , which have risen nearly 6% this week, were up 26 cents, or 0.3% at $79.53 a barrel by 10:56 a.m. EDT (1456 GMT). West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) rose 37 cents, or 0.5% to $74.74, having gained about 8% so far this week. If those levels hold, oil prices will record their second straight week of gains, but Brent and WTI were also set for losses of about 5% and 3%, respectively. Oil prices were also buoyed after producers shut in or reduced output at several oilfields in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq following a halt to the northern export pipeline. OPEC pumped 28.90 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, a Reuters survey found, down 70,000 bpd from February.

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked up on Friday with U.S. inflation data showing some signs of slowing price rises, but on the month oil was on course for its weakest performance since November. Oil prices have broadly recouped these losses as worries about a global banking crisis have abated after banks in the U.S. and Europe were rescued. While the inflation data showed signs of cooling, it remained elevated, which could lead to the Federal Reserve raising interest rates one more time this year. Oil prices were buoyed after producers shut in or reduced output at several oilfields in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq following a halt to the northern export pipeline. Also sending a bullish signal was data showing U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell to a two-year low.

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped on Friday, with benchmarks heading for their weakest monthly performances since November, ahead of key U.S. inflation data which could give clues on future interest rate moves and the strength of the dollar. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $73.93, having gained about 7% so far this week. Markets are now waiting for U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation figures, tracked closely by the Federal Reserve, which are due at 1230 GMT. Also sending a bullish signal was data showing U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell to a two-year low. With oil prices recovering from recent lows, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia are likely to stick to their existing deal to cut oil output at a meeting on Monday, sources said.

☆ Perenco UK says 60% of oil spill in southern England recovered
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] General view of Poole Harbour after about 200 barrels of reservoir fluid leaked into the water in Dorset, Britain, March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Peter CziborraMarch 29 (Reuters) - Anglo-French oil company Perenco's UK unit said on Wednesday it had recovered about 60% of the estimated oil leaked on Sunday at one of its well sites in Wytch Farm in Dorset, southern England. The location of the leak was identified and operations at Wytch Farm remain suspended, the company said in a statement. Perenco UK said it was investigating the cause of the spill, in consultation with the environment agency and local authorities. Perenco UK produces about 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day, with Wytch Farm accounting for about 14,000 barrels.

☆ UK oil, gas firms to leave year's worth of output in ground with tax hikes-report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"When we talk about investment in the UK oil and gas resources, it's not about exponential growth, it's about managed decline," Dornan said. Any fresh incentives for oil producers are likely to be decried by climate activists, not least since Britain experienced an oil leak over the weekend at Anglo-French oil company Wytch Farm's onshore field in Dorset. Britain's biggest oil and gas producer, Harbour , has announced job cuts and shunned the latest licensing round. TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) cut its UK investment programme by a quarter. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsBritain's oil and gas production($1 = 0.8166 pounds)Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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