Price of natural gas in Europe falls to a 3-year low

• Gas reserves, which are usually drawn down during winter for heating, are at 64.7 percent of storage capacity on average in the European Union.
• Gas prices soared in 2022 and into 2023 as Russia's invasion of Ukraine made EU countries limit consumption and diversify their sources of supply.

GCC, OPEC boost ties to stabilize global oil markets

• GCC commits to global oil market stability through OPEC cooperation, says GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
• OPEC predicts strong oil demand growth in 2024, led by economic activity in China and air travel recovery.

Europe’s gas demand at 10-year low, to peak in 2025: report

• IEEFA said that European gas demand has declined by 20% since the start of the Russian invasion
• IEEFA noted that rush to build LNG terminals was continuing despite imports holding steady

Dutch court upholds $50bn payment award in Yukos case

• The Amsterdam Appeals Court turned down a claim by Moscow that shareholders had "committed fraud" during the arbitration process.
• In 2014 the international Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled in favor of shareholders,

WEF24: Pragmatic actions to help in carbon neutrality

• Technology investment and corporate partnerships can play a crucial role in driving significant emission reduction, Hans Kobler of Energy Impact Partners tells TRENDS.
• He stresses the need for concrete action, emphasizing the importance of pragmatic strategies and sustained investment to overcome the challenges of climate finance.

Qatar minister urges Gaza ceasefire to end Red Sea insecurity

• Many companies have chosen to divert their vessels to avoid the Red Sea
• US and UK strikes on Houthi targets have failed to halt the rebel attacks

Roadmap out for environmental education, sustainable development at WEEC2024

QEWC 2023 net profit US$426m

• The earnings per share amounted to US$0.38 (QR 1.41) as of December 31, 2023.
• QEWC reported revenue of $799 million in 2023 compared to $747 million in 2022.

Saboteurs hit Iran pipelines disrupting gas supply: state media

• State media reported that the sabotage had disrupted gas supplies in at least three provinces -- North Khorasan in the northeast, Lorestan in the west and Zanjan in the northwest
• No group claimed responsibility for the attacks and Iran did not immediately apportion blame, although Iran has generally blamed Israel for similar acts of sabotage in the past

Iran fires first ship-based long-range ballistic missiles

• The Iranian military exercises come at a time of regional tensions since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
• Iran does not recognize Israel and has long fought a shadow war of killings and sabotage against it.