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Companies Shell PLC FollowSINGAPORE, March 30 (Reuters) - Shell has decided not to go ahead with two projects it was studying to produce biofuels and base oils in Singapore, a company spokesperson said on Thursday. "We can confirm that we are stopping the exploration of two projects – a biofuels unit and a Group II base oil plant in Singapore," the company told Reuters in an emailed statement. "We will continue supplying base oil and lubricants, as well as biofuels, to our customers in Singapore and the region." Shell is building a 820,000 tpy biofuels plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and had targeted to make about 2 million tpy of SAF by 2025. Reporting by Trixie Yap and Florence Tan; Editing by Jan Harvey and Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Oil dips on profit taking, markets debate supply tightness
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude closed 37 cents, or 0.5%, lower at $78.28 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $72.97. On the supply side, worries of tightness after an unexpected draw in U.S. oil stockpiles and a halt to some Iraqi Kurdistan oil exports were partially offset by a smaller-than-expected output cut in Russia. U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly last week, the Energy Information Administration said, as refineries ramped up operations after maintenance season and U.S. imports fell to a two-year low. Supply concern were, however, eased by reports that Russian oil production fell by around 300,000 bpd in the first three weeks of March, less than the targeted cuts of 500,000 bpd. A stronger greenback hurts oil demand as crude becomes more expensive for buyers who hold foreign currencies.

☆ Oil gains for 3rd day on Kurdish supply concern, easing banking fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Crude exports of 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdistan region were halted on Saturday following an arbitration decision that confirmed Baghdad's consent was needed to ship the oil. "The longer the stoppage continues, the tighter the supply outlook will become," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. On Wednesday, Norwegian oil firm DNO said it had begun shutting down production at its fields in Kurdistan. We can see that risk sentiment has recovered to some extent, which pushed (the) global stock markets and crude oil rebound," said CMC Markets analyst Leon Li. Attention will focus on official U.S. inventory data from the Energy Information Administration at 1430 GMT to see if it confirms the crude stock decline.

SINGAPORE, March 27 (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco's Jizan refinery is set to increase output of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) and reduce exports of vacuum gasoil (VGO) as it ramps up production in the second quarter, industry sources said. The refinery could produce up to 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) of ULSD, or 10-ppm gasoil, when it hits full capacity. This could boost Aramco's fuel exports to Europe, the sources said. A hydrocracker processes residual fuel and VGO to produce diesel and kerosene. This could end Jizan's residual fuel exports, with about 90,000 bpd of high-sulphur fuel oil and vacuum residues estimated to be fed into the power plant, said FGE.

☆ Why is the Trump 'hush-money' grand jury taking so @#$%& long? Wrong question, experts say.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

An uncanny lack of secrecy surrounds the secret Trump 'hush money' grand jury now underway in NY. Grand jury witnesses, lawyers, and Trump himself are shouting about each other on TV and online. The right question may be, "Why is this supposedly secret grand jury such a honking, spotlit spectacle?" On Friday, an envelope of white powder was sent to Bragg at the office building where the grand jury sits. The grand jury was not there that day, and the powder proved non-hazardous.

West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude futures fell 70 cents, or 1%, to $69.26 a barrel. Brent futures rose 2.8% in the week while U.S. crude futures rose 3.8%. The dollar rose 0.6% against other currencies, which also pressured oil, making crude more expensive to holders of other currencies. Goldman Sachs said commodities demand was surging in the world's biggest oil importer, with oil demand topping 16 million bpd. That means Russia aims to produce 9.7 million bpd between March and June, according to Novak, a much smaller output cut than Moscow previously indicated.

Companies Signature Bank FollowSINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices firmed on Friday after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong China demand expectations, but were headed for their biggest weekly falls since December as a banking crisis rocked global financial and oil markets. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude went up by 21 cents to $68.53 a barrel, after closing 1.1% higher in the previous session. China's demand rebound will be positive for oil prices if upcoming data shows a good recovery of the country's economy, said analyst Tina Teng of CMC Markets. However, contagion risks among banks are still keeping investors on edge, curbing their appetite for assets such as commodities, as they fear a further rout could trigger a global recession and cut oil demand. These issues regarding inflation, the central bank's rate hikes, and confidence in financial systems cannot be settled quickly," Teng said.

Companies Signature Bank FollowSINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded by about 1% on Friday after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong China demand expectations, after a banking crisis sparked a sell-off in global financial and oil markets this week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 78 cents to $69.13 a barrel, after closing 1.1% higher in the previous session. China's demand rebound will be positive for oil prices if upcoming data shows a good recovery of the country's economy, said analyst Tina Teng of CMC Markets. However, contagion risks among banks are still keeping investors on edge, curbing their appetite for assets such as commodities, as they fear a further rout could trigger a global recession and cut oil demand. These issues regarding inflation, the central bank's rate hikes, and confidence in financial systems, cannot be settled quickly," Teng said.

☆ Oil falls 3% on U.S. rate hike expectations, strong U.S. dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures shed $2.35, or 2.7%, to $83.83 a barrel by 1:05 p.m. EST (1805 GMT) . U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped by $2.48 a barrel, or 3%, at $77.98. Prices sank after Powell told Congress the Fed would likely need to increase rates more than expected in light of recent strong economic data. More pressure came from a contraction in China's exports and imports in January and February, including crude oil imports, despite a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. The American Petroleum Institute's weekly report is due at 2130 GMT on Tuesday, with U.S. Energy Information Administration data following at 1530 GMT on Wednesday.

☆ Oil falls 2% on U.S. rate hike expectations, stronger U.S. dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures shed $1.46, or 1.7%, to $84.72 a barrel by 11:06 a.m. EST (1606 GMT). Prices declined after Powell told Congress the Fed would likely need to increase rates more than expected in light of recent strong economic data. The remarks pushed up the U.S. dollar , which rose 0.70% on the day at 104.97. A stronger dollar typically reduces demand for dollar-denominated oil from buyers paying with other currencies. Further pressure came from a contraction in China's exports and imports in January and February, including crude oil imports, despite a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

☆ Oil edges lower on stronger dollar and weak Chinese data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Prices declined as the U.S. dollar rose ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jeremy Powell's testimony to Congress at 1500 GMT on Tuesday. A stronger dollar typically reduces demand for dollar-denominated oil from buyers paying with other currencies. Further pressure came from a contraction in China's exports and imports in January and February, including crude oil imports. U.S. crude inventories could register their first decrease in 10 weeks, a Reuters poll showed before official data is published this week. The American Petroleum Institute's weekly report is due at 2130 GMT on Tuesday, with Energy Information Administration data following at 1530 GMT on Wednesday.

Brent crude futures rose 18 cents to $86.36 per barrel by 0730 GMT after settling 0.4% higher on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $80.62 per barrel, up 16 cents, following a 1% gain in the previous session. "The supply concerns that helped oil prices higher overnight likely stemmed from Chevron's CEO comment that there's 'not a lot of swing capacity' in oil markets," Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note. "The key unknown for 2023 will be the disruption to Russia's oil and refined product exports." ET (2130 GMT) on Tuesday, and at 10:30 a.m. (1530 GMT) on Wednesday from the Energy Information Administration.

☆ Oil steady as market juggles supply and demand fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.26%, to $85.96 a barrel by 1043 GMT. Bearish sentiment surrounded a contraction in China's exports and imports in January and February, including crude imports. The decline came despite a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, pointing to weakness in foreign demand. "The key unknown for 2023 will be the disruption to Russia's oil and refined product exports," Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note. The market will also look for direction from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee at 1500 GMT on Tuesday.

☆ Oil rises on China growth hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures for April , due to expire on Tuesday, were up by 87 cents, or 1.1%, to $83.32 per barrel by 1059 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained $1.18, or 1.6%, to $76.89 a barrel. JPMorgan's oil analysts maintained their 2023 average price forecast on Brent crude futures at $90 per barrel. The market will be looking to the latest U.S. oil stocks data due from the American Petroleum Institute industry group on Tuesday and the government's Energy Information Administration on Wednesday for further demand indicators. Distillate inventories, which include diesel and heating oil, were expected to have decreased by about 500,000 barrels last week.

Brent crude futures for April , due to expire on Tuesday, were up by 39 cents to $82.84 per barrel by 0718 GMT. Likewise, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 61 cents to $76.29 a barrel. Brent and WTI futures were both on track, however, for monthly losses of around 2.2% and 3.8% respectively, with WTI likely to hit a four-month streak of declines. JPMorgan's oil analysts maintained their 2023 average price forecast on Brent crude futures at $90 per barrel. Seven analysts polled also estimated that gasoline stocks rose by about 700,000 barrels.

Brent crude futures for April , due to expire on Tuesday, gained 14 cents to $82.59 per barrel by 0443 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 21 cents to $75.89 a barrel. Brent and WTI futures were both on track for monthly losses of around 2.2% and 3.8% respectively, with WTI likely to hit a four-month streak of declines. JPMorgan's oil analysts maintained their 2023 average price forecast on Brent crude futures at $90 per barrel. A preliminary Reuters poll showed analysts expected crude stocks grew by 400,000 barrels in the week to Feb. 24, which would mark the tenth consecutive week of builds.

☆ Oil drops 3% as high inflation risks stoke demand worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Shariq Khan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures for April delivery were down $2.33, or 2.8%, to $80.72 a barrel at 2:20 p.m. EST (1920 GMT), while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped by $2.31, or 3%, to $74.05 a barrel. "While better U.S. economic data should mean better oil demand, the concern is that this forces the Fed to overtighten monetary policy to bring inflation under control," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Other U.S. economic reports, however, showed some troubling signs for the world's biggest oil consumer. According to a preliminary Reuters poll on Tuesday, analysts forecast a rise in U.S. crude inventories, feeding demand worries. Morgan Stanley raised its global oil demand growth estimate for this year by about 36%, citing growing momentum in China's reopening and a recovery in aviation.

☆ Oil falls on fuel demand woes ahead of U.S. Fed comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Higher interest rates tend to lift the dollar, making dollar-denominated oil more expensive for holders of other currencies and reducing demand. Other economic reports from the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, showed some troubling signs however. A preliminary Reuters analyst poll on Tuesday also showed a rise in U.S. crude inventories, exacerbating the demand worries. Analysts expect China's oil imports to hit a record high in 2023 to meet increased demand for transportation fuel and as new refineries come on stream. Morgan Stanley has raised its global oil demand growth estimate for this year by about 36%, citing growing momentum in China's reopening and a recovery in aviation, but flagged higher supply from Russia as an offseting factor.

☆ As a kid, I died my hair blonde to fit in. As an adult, I've made it my mission to help Asian women boost their confidence.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sheena Yap Chan is an author and podcast host who helps Asian women improve their confidence. She shares three steps Asian women should take to break these stereotypes. I made it a mission to learn about my culture deeply and formed a community of Asian women who could look out for one another. Now, 34 years later, I'm on a mission to help Asian women gain the courage to embrace our identities. My first book, "Women Who Boss Up", profiles over a dozen Asian women who excel in industries like STEM and finance, despite the many challenges they faced.

☆ In the Philippines, animal lovers book Valentine's dates with shelter dogs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Jay Ereno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Philippine government worker Mary Grace Burgos, 24, had several cute dates lined up for on Valentine's Day with one thing in common: they were all dogs up for adoption. Burgos was among a dozen of people who chose to spend their Valentine's Day at an animal shelter in the Philippine capital. The shelter, run by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), charged guests 500 to 1,000 pesos ($9.12 - $18.24) to spend half an hour with a furry date. The entry fee will go toward running the shelter, which cares for over 240 dogs and cats. Animal cruelty is a crime in the Philippines but many cases go unreported, PAWS said.

☆ Oil falls on rate hike worries, Russian export flows
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Rowena Edwards | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies OPEC+ seen sticking with oil output policy at Feb. 1 meetingInvestors watch for central bank rate hikesPositive China data caps weaknessLONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday as the prospect of further interest rate increases and ample Russian crude flows outweighed demand recovery expectations from China. March Brent crude futures fell by $1.01, or 1.19%, to $83.89 per barrel by 0920 GMT. The March contract expires on Tuesday and the more heavily traded April contract fell by 90 cents, or 1.07%, to $83.60. Interest rate decisions will shed some light on the prospects of economic and oil demand growth," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. Higher rates could slow the global economy and weaken oil demand.

SummarySummary Companies OPEC+ seen sticking with oil output policy at Feb. 1 meetingInvestors watch for central bank rate hikesPositive China data caps weaknessJan 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday as the threat of further interest rate increases and ample Russian crude flows outweighed demand recovery expectations from China. March Brent crude futures declined 25 cents to $84.65 per barrel by 0715 GMT. The March contract expires on Tuesday and the more heavily traded April contract fell by 38 cents, or 0.45%, to $84.12. Likewise, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped by 44 cents, or 0.56%, to $77.46 a barrel. Higher rates could slow the global economy and weaken oil demand.

Brent <LCOc1> futures fell 94 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $84.98 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 70 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at 79.48. Markets at first reacted positively to U.S. data, which showed retail sales and manufacturing production declined more than forecast in December, on hopes the Fed would now ease up on interest rate hikes. Supporting oil prices early in the session, China reported economic data that beat forecasts after the country started rolling back its zero-COVID policy in early December. Rystad said the losses were at about 500,000 barrels per day and that India and China remain key buyers of Russian crude.

Summary China's reopening set to drive record 2023 oil demand -IEAChinese oil demand to rebound in 2023 -OPECRecord U.S. shale oil output seen in Feb -EIAAPI reports due at 4.30 p.m. ET (2130 GMT)LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday to their highest since early December on optimism that the lifting of China's strict COVID-19 curbs will lead to a fuel demand recovery in the world's top oil importer. China's economic growth slowed sharply to 3% in 2022, missing the official target of "around 5.5%" and marking its second-worst performance since 1976. Analysts polled by Reuters see 2023 growth rebounding to 4.9%. But OPEC kept its 2023 global demand growth forecast unchanged.

Summary OPEC says Chinese oil demand to rebound in 2023 after dropU.S. shale oil output set to rise in Feb to record -EIARussia sees sanctions impact on oil products -senior sourceJan 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending the previous session's gains, driven by optimism that the lifting of China's strict COVID-19 curbs will lead to a recovery in fuel demand in the world's top oil importer. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 68 cents, or 0.85%, to $80.56, having risen 0.4% on Tuesday. China's economic growth slowed sharply to 3% in 2022, missing the official target of "around 5.5%" and marking its second-worst performance since 1976. But OPEC kept its 2023 global demand growth forecast unchanged at 2.22 million bpd. Russia, meanwhile, expects Western sanctions to have a significant impact on its oil product exports and its production, likely leaving it with more crude oil to sell, said a senior Russian source with knowledge of the nation's outlook.

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