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Shares of Russian oil dinosaur Surgut soar in mystery rally

The shares of Russian fourth largest oil producer Surgutneftegaz (Surgut) leaped by a third (31%) in value between October 23 and October 25 and setting a new all time high price record of RUB48 ($0.75), with no apparent catalysts or news flow.

Baltic Pipe clears last major hurdle as Denmark grants offshore construction permits

The Baltic Pipe is a major element in Poland’s plan to wean itself off Russian gas, which currently covers around two-thirds of the country’s demand.

Bulgaria’s competition watchdog bans sale of CEZ’ assets to Eurohold

Czech utility's second attempt to offload its Bulgarian assets is blocked by regulator, which warns deal would cause a "significant deterioration" of market competition.

Enel Russia sells its biggest coal-burning power station as it goes green

Russia’s biggest foreign-owned utilities company has finally sold its Reftinskaya power station for an undisclosed amount as part of its efforts to “go green” as well as become more profitable.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy announces cooperation with richest Pole on small modular reactor for Synthos

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has signed an agreement with Poland’s chemical giant Synthos, owned by the richest Pole Michal Solowow, on the potential construction of a small modular reactor.

Ukraine expects to more than double its renewable capacity in 2019

Ukraine has already been investing heavily in the renewable sector, and the goal of the government's renewable energy strategy is to reach 25% renewables by 2023.

Central Asia’s electricity network – underpowered and fragmented

Power planners were left with major headaches when the demise of the Soviet Union caused all Central Asian Power System (CAPS) member states to scramble to remake their grids along national lines. However, pan-region ideas are now back in fashion.

Russian petrochemical giant Sibur produces first polyethylene from its own feedstock at ZapSibNeftekhim

After the ramp-up to its full capacity, the ZapSibNeftekhim petrochemical facility will manufacture 1.5 mt of polyethylene per year, making it Russia’s largest polymer production facility.

Rosneft builds base in Arctic

Rosneft has won subsoil rights to a new oil and gas block in the north of the Krasnoyarsk region, consolidating its position in the Arctic.

Lithuania considers banning purchases of electricity from Belarus’ nuclear power plant

President Gitanas Nauseda says he wants to prevent countries with “unsafe nuclear power plants” from exporting electricity to Lithuania, but fellow Baltic states Estonia and Latvia appear not to share his concerns.

Tajikistan’s massive Rogun hydropower dam: a blessing or a curse?

Poorest Central Asian nation Tajikistan is in danger of defaulting on its first ever Eurobond as the construction of the giant Rogun hydropower dam gobbles up scarce resources.

NEWSBASE: Third of large Russian oilfields unprofitable: Rosnedra

Russian subsoil licensing agency Rosnedra has taken an inventory of Russia’s major oilfields and found that one third of them are unprofitable to develop.

NEWSBASE: Gazprom advances LNG plans

Russia’s Gazprom has struck a deal with Germany’s Linde on setting up a joint venture to design facilities for the processing and liquefaction of natural gas.

Russia blocks booming suspicious coal exports to Ukraine via Belarus

The Russian authorities have been blocking exports of coal from its territory to Ukraine through the territory of neighbouring Belarus, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and Coal Mining.

Chinese solar power developer ReneSola sells 55 MW of Polish solar capacity to Aberdeen Standard Investments

Tusk tells Turkey “illegal” drilling in Cyprus EEZ will damage ties between Ankara and EU

Hungary utility-scale solar capacity reaches 1.1GW

Hungary can rely on two energy sources, nuclear and solar energy to meet the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement, said President Janos Ader recently.

Cyprus accuses Turkey of “bullying tactics of an era long gone” as drill ship heads for ‘licensed’ waters

On same day, Greek PM warns Ankara not to “exploit” the migrant crisis for its own ends as overcrowded camps experience sharp spike in arrivals.

Hungary fills up gas storage facilities to full capacity

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto says move guarantees domestic supply security and allows Hungary to store gas for other countries, after Gazprom agrees to top up Hungary's gas reserves.

IRAN STAND-OFF: Day brings tentative step towards peaceful Gulf outcome

Tehran backs French plan for talks with US as broadly acceptable. Saudi energy minister described as “friend” by Iranian counterpart. Putin refuses to blame Islamic Republic for oil attacks. Riyadh says it wants regional “security and stability”.

Uzbekistan’s five-year goal to overhaul its energy industry

The relaxation of Uzbekistan's energy industry’s ownership has created a bonanza of redevelopment projects set to be completed in the next five years. These projects including energy generation and a general liberalisation of state ownership

Poland cannot afford climate neutrality goal in 2050 minister says

Poland’s energy sector would need €300bn-€400bn for transformation towards carbon-neutrality while the price tag for the entire Polish economy to meet the EU’s climate ambitions could be €700bn-€900bn, Energy Minister Krzysztof Tchorzewski said.

Pumps deal progresses Iran’s ambition to build pipeline to enable oil exports from Sea of Oman terminal

GULF ON EDGE: Saudi Arabia hit by ratings downgrade as reverberations from oil attacks spread

In possible sign kingdom is backing off from potential conflict, Iran says third countries have delivered messages from Riyadh.

IRAN STAND-OFF: Sour conclusion to UN Assembly week as Trump denies ever offering to drop sanctions for talks

Relations deteriorate further as Iran's president says United Nations HQ in New York should be moved to a “better country”. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Erdogan returns home saying Ankara will defy Washington by buying oil and gas from Islamic Republic.