All tagged energy

China’s Declared Imports of Iranian Oil Hit a (Deceptive) New Low

◢ New data from China’s customs administration show a significant drop in purchases of Iranian oil. The declared value of September imports was just USD 254 million, down 34 percent from August and down 80 percent from the same month last year. But observed exports from Iran remain high, suggesting that the customs data is not capturing the full value of Iranian oil sales to China.

Squeezing Gas Prices or Iran? Trump Must Choose

◢ The deadline for the US administration to decide whether to extend sanctions waivers granted to buyers of Iranian oil is now less than a month away, and President Donald Trump faces a tricky decision. He undoubtedly wants to increase pressure on the Persian Gulf nation, but in doing so he risks stoking oil prices and with them those all-important gas prices in swing states back home.

Iran Oil Exports: 8 Waivers and the OPEC Meeting

◢ Iran’s oil exports are likely to remain limited in 2019, with significant negative impact on Iran’s economy. Last month, the Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran’s energy sector as part of its ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against. But it nevertheless sought to prevent an unhelpful spike in oil prices ahead of the midterm elections. As a result the United States issued eight waivers to importers of Iranian oil:.

Could Trump Deliver Iran an Oil Windfall?

◢ The president’s recent statement that OPEC may have something to do with the president’s own decision to create a crisis with Iran. While attention is duly paid to how much Americans have to pay at the pump, a more subtle and complicated story will soon play out with respect to Iran and the reapplication of US sanctions ordered by Trump on May 8, 2018. In fact, unless oil prices are contained, the primary result of the president’s action may be to ensure that Iran profits from the oil market risks that sanctions have created.

As Trump Goes Nuclear On Iranian Oil, Europe Must Match His Brinkmanship

◢ As the US chooses the "nuclear option" on Iran's oil, Europe must find leverage and force the US to walk back on its announced policy of driving down Iranian oil exports to zero. The negative consequences for European economy could prove significant, and the risks of regional escalation are high. There are three measures that the EU can pursue to pressure Trump and prevent a dangerous escalation.

Cañete to Discuss Vital Central Banking Solution on Iran Visit

◢ Europe’s Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete is set to travel to Tehran this weekend. Cañete’s visit will include discussions on possible new payment mechanisms designed to allow Europe to repatriate oil revenues to Iran’s central bank despite despite Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal, offering a vital lifeline for the Iranian economy as sanctions begin to bite.

Iran’s Energy Sector Takes Stock After Year of Ambivalent Results

◢ The last Iranian year, which ended in March, saw several interesting developments for Iranian energy, both domestically and internationally. Despite persistent challenges, Iran is keen to build on the momentum of last year’s developments. In doing so, the question of whether the Trump administration will stay in the JCPOA and renew sanctions waivers on May 12 will have great importance.

Extention of Key Incentive Scheme Boosts Iran's Renewable Energy Market

◢ The recent extension of Iran's Feed-in-Tariffs scheme has renewable energy investors pushing to close deals in the next 12 months to take advantage of the strong government incentive packages. 

◢ But FiTs won't last forever, and Iranian energy authorities are working to improve the general mechanisms that support foreign investment in Iran's renewable sector, including the use of Iran's first competitive bidding tenders for renewable energy projects.