Novak steps down as Russian energy minister

Market: Coal, Condensate, Crude oil, Electricity, LPG, Natural gas, Oil products
09/11/20

Russia's long-serving energy minister Alexander Novak, who oversaw the country's participation in the Opec+ agreement, is stepping down after more than eight years in the post.

Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin has proposed that Novak move into a deputy prime minister role, and he has recommended Nikolai Shulginov, the chairman of state-controlled hydro-power company RusHydro, as Novak's replacement.

Novak's departure from the energy ministry is part of a wider reshuffle in which natural resources minister Dmitry Kobylkin and transport minister Yevgeny Ditrikh will also step down.

Novak took up the energy minister's post in May 2012. He has played a key role in managing Russia's co-operation in the Opec+ production restraint agreements. Before taking the energy minister job, Novak worked in Russia's finance ministry.

By Anastasia Krasinskaya

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20/03/25

Nigeria's Trans-Niger oil pipeline restarts after fire

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TotalEnergies delays, cuts size of Grandpuits HVO

20/03/25

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20/03/25

TotalEnergies delays, cuts size of Grandpuits HVO

Barcelona, 20 March (Argus) — TotalEnergies is delaying the start up of its Grandpuits hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) plant, and is planning to reduce the plant's proposed capacity. TotalEnergies confirmed the planned 400,000 t/yr HVO and HVO jet fuel (SAF) plant, near Paris, will not start in 2025 as previously outlined. Instead, a first phase of 210,000t of SAF output is slated to begin operations "early in 2026." TotalEnergies said there will then be a second phase of 75,000t, which will start at an unspecified point in 2027, giving 285,000 t/yr. If all production is SAF this would be equivalent to around 6,155 b/d. The CGT union said its members at Grandpuits downed tools for 24 hours yesterday, 19 March, as a result of the company's announcement. Workers say they have been promised a meeting with management in mid-April, and there does not appear to be industrial action at the site today. TotalEnergies halted crude distillation at the 93,000 b/d Grandpuits four years ago . The transformation includes a 10,000 t/yr plastics recycling unit. It said 1,200 workers are on site to undertake the conversion and this will result in 250 full time posts on completion. This is consistent with previous plans . The delay and reduction in size at Grandpuits does appear to confound targets for TotalEnergies' HVO and SAF output previously laid out by chief executive Patrick Pouyanne . The company operates a 500,000 t/yr HVO and SAF plant at La Mede, near the port of Fos-Lavera. A Grandpuits worker said management has indicated the company will look to purchase HVO and SAF, in order to honour contractual obligations. By Adam Porter Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Canberra backs Li battery projects in Western Australia

20/03/25

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20/03/25

Canberra backs Li battery projects in Western Australia

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Australia must rethink gas strategy: Grattan

20/03/25

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20/03/25

Australia must rethink gas strategy: Grattan

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US Fed keeps rate flat, eyes 2 cuts in '25: Update

19/03/25

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19/03/25

US Fed keeps rate flat, eyes 2 cuts in '25: Update

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