Lammy: Iran blocking Strait of Hormuz would be ‘catastrophic mistake’ June 23, 2025 Foreign secretary David Lammy has warned Iran that blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane would be a “mistake” after the nation vowed repercussions following the US’ attacks. Lammy told the BBC this morning: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. It would be a mistake to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.” The foreign secretary [...]
Brent crude could hit $110 if oil flow through Strait of Hormuz halved June 23, 2025 Oil prices could surge to new highs, Goldman Sachs has warned, after the US attacked three sites in Iran spiking fears that a crucial Iranian-controlled waterway could be disrupted. The price of Brent crude oil spiked 5.7 per cent in the aftermath to $81.40 a barrel – marking a five month high. Prices later gave [...]
Former Centrica boss in running to be next BP chair June 21, 2025 The former boss of multinational energy firm Centrica is among those in talks to be the next chairman of BP. Sam Laidlaw is being considered as a successor to Helge Lund, who announced he would step down from BP in April. Laidlaw is one of a number of prominent candidates in the running to chair [...]
Shell and BP: FTSE 100 giants get analyst backing after oil surge June 18, 2025 FTSE 100 oil heavyweights are back in analysts favour after oil prices surged from the intensifying Middle Eastern conflict. BP and Shell shares have jumped around three per cent in the last week and climbed further as President Donald Trump weighed in on the attacks in Israel and Iran. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ [...]
Gold rallies to near-two month high as Middle East conflict intensifies June 13, 2025 Investors were flocking to gold on Friday after Israel’s attack on Iran sparked a demand for the safe haven asset. The rush sent gold prices up one per cent to their highest level in nearly two months at $3,441.90 The bullion pulled on track for a weekly gain as the Middle Eastern conflict ramped up. [...]
Profit slump revealed at Jim Ratcliffe-backed Petroineos ahead of major closure May 15, 2025 Profitp at Petroineos slumped in the months leading up the closure of its Grangemouth refinery, heavily delayed accounts have revealed, as the energy trading company wrestled with economic uncertainty, supply chain shocks and a shift away from fossil fuels. The Jersey-based business, which is backed by billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, posted a [...]
Harbour Energy forecasts higher oil and gas production May 8, 2025 Oil and gas firm Harbour Energy has edged up its full-year production guidance despite recent market volatility. Annual production is expected to come in at between 455 to 475 kboepd, up from a previously guided range of 450 to 475. The London-listed group on Thursday also reaffirmed guidance for a full-year operating costs of $14/boe, [...]
Harbour Energy to axe 250 jobs as it slams Rachel Reeves May 7, 2025 Harbour Energy has slammed the government’s “punitive fiscal position” as it announced plans to cut 250 jobs in Aberdeen. The London-listed company, which is the largest oil and gas producer in the North Sea, blamed the Energy Profits Levy and a challenging regulatory environment for the decision. It also noted delays in the ramp-up of [...]
Why the UK can’t get a grip of its energy crisis April 14, 2025 A months-long cost-of-living crisis, state bailouts of consumer energy bills, endless planning rows, judicial interventions and now the near-collapse of Britain’s only manufacturer of virgin steel all show different sides to the UK’s ongoing energy crisis. Its dependency on foreign imports, poor planning of infrastructure and lack of control over soaring bills means the extent [...]
Grangemouth: Green future for oil refinery needs £3.5bn, report finds March 19, 2025 Delivering a green future for the Grangemouth oil refinery will require around £3.5bn in private investment, a report has found. The long-awaited Project Willow study, which itself cost £1.5m, sets out nine options for the future of the industrial cluster in central Scotland. Hundreds of jobs are set to be lost this year when the [...]