NewBase 30-January-2023 Energy News issue - 1588 by Khaled Al Awadi.pdf

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NewBase Energy News 30 January 2023 No. 1588 Senior Editor Eng. Khaed Al Awadi
NewBase for discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
Lebanon: TotalEnergies says well drilling in Lebanon's offshore
Block 9 to begin in Q3
Reuters + NewBase
TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) is keen to start work on Lebanon's offshore Block 9 "as soon as possible",
with assessments to begin early next month and well-drilling to launch in the third quarter of 2023,
its CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Sunday.
Pouyanne was speaking in a joint news conference in Beirut after signing a three-way consortium
deal with QatarEnergy and Eni (ENI.MI) to explore oil and gas in two maritime blocks off the coast
of Lebanon known as Blocks 4 and 9.
Following months of talks, QatarEnergy has taken a 30% stake in the consortium, leaving
TotalEnergies and Eni with 35% each.
Lebanon hopes discoveries will help it reverse a crippling economic crisis that has cost the local
currency more than 97% of its value, eroded the country's foreign reserves and caused rolling
blackouts across towns and cities.
ww.linkedin.com/in/khaled-al-awadi-80201019/

Pouyanne said a vessel would arrive in Lebanese waters on Feb. 6 to carry out an environmental
survey in Block 9, "and we plan to drill during the third quarter of the year". The CEO of Eni, Claudio
Descalzi, said the exploration could offer a "big opportunity" for Lebanon as the world was facing a
major lack of gas.
"From a geological point of view, I am positive" about a discovery in Lebanon's Block 9, Descalzi
told reporters. "We have to hope and pray that it is a real and material one," he said. Pouyanne and
Qatar's energy minister Saad al-Kaabi, also the CEO of QatarEnergy, said they were discussing
possible coordination on renewable energy in Lebanon.
Lebanon's first licensing round in 2017 saw a consortium of TotalEnergies, Eni and Russia's
Novatek win bids to explore.
Novatek pulled out in September 2022, leaving its stake in the hands of the Lebanese government.
The following month, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a landmark agreement brokered by the United
States to delineate their long-disputed maritime border.
Block 9 lies adjacent to the newly delineated border with Israel. According to the agreement, if
discoveries are made in a field that extends south of that border, they would also be exploited by
the consortium on behalf of Lebanon but with a royalties system set up for Israel.
Total and Israel have agreed a separate deal for any revenues generated from there. Pouyanne
said the maritime border agreement had ended the "deadlock" facing exploration activities in Block 9.

K.S.A: SWCC teams up with Carbonco for Saudi CCUS projects
TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia's Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has signed a co-operation agreement
with Carbonco, a unit of Korean engineering and construction company DL E&C, for joint research
in various Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) projects across the kingdom.
The world's largest seawater
desalination institution, SWCC is
an affiliated organisation under the
Saudi government. It is also the
second largest electricity producer
in the kingdom. Through its
research centre, SWCC is leading
carbon reduction projects in the
field of seawater desalination and
power generation using renewable
energy in Saudi Arabia.
A specialist in decarbonisation
solutions, Carbonco said it is
committed to advancing CCUS
technology to apply it to diverse
fields, while striving to provide total solutions for it.
As per the deal, Carbonco and SWCC will cooperate on the adoption of CCUS technology, which
captures carbon from power plants operated by SWCC and utilises it in the seawater desalination
post-treatment process.
"SWCC is working on the seawater desalination project using renewable energy to take the initiative
in realizing Saudi Arabia's VISION 2030," noted Tariq Al Ghaffari, the General Manager of SWCC
Local Competence Projects Department.
Both parties plan to collaborate across the CCUS business development, including commercial
CCUS plant construction, based on business feasibility analysis and basic design research for the
application of CCUS technology, noted Al Ghaffari.
Furthermore, the two companies will carry out joint research on various CCUS projects which
encompass biological and chemical conversion, mineralization, and storage of carbon that are
feasible in Saudi Arabia, he added.
Carbonco's Chief Executive of Business Development Office Jae-hyung Yoo said: "Carbonco is the
only Korean company invited to the EVOLVE 2023 forum hosted by SWCC to exchange vision and
technology for Saudi Arabia's seawater desalination project."
"If our CCUS technology is applied to the seawater desalination process, it will become a tailored
solution for carbon neutrality in Saudi Arabia," he added.
DL E&C established Carbonco last August as a company specializing in the CCUS business in an
attempt to expand its eco-friendly decarbonization business. Carbonco is conducting a green
developer business which includes hydrogen and ammonia business as well as CCUS.-

Oman: OQ celebrates inauguration of Bisat Oil Field
Times of Oman
OQ Group inaugurated the commissioning of the Bisat oil field located at Block 60 concession area
in Abu Butabul. The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin Assad
al Said, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Central Bank of Oman (CBO) at the Oman Convention
and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). It was also attended by members of the Royal Family, ministerial
dignitaries, sheikhs, key partners, community leaders and OQ’s executive leadership team.
The Bisat oil field comes as part of OQ’s contribution to supporting the government’s efforts to
maximise the use of Omani natural resources and enabling national companies to manage
operations in the oil exploration and production sector. This resulted in raising OQ’s share of the
total oil production in the Sultanate to 220,000 barrels per day, which represents about 13 per cent
of the upstream sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Sultanate.
During the inauguration ceremony, Talal bin Hamed Al-Awfi, Chief Executive Officer of OQ Group,
gave a speech in which he said: "We are delighted to inaugurate Bisat oil field whose discovery
represents a quantum leap in exploration operations, as the focus shifted to the production of crude
oil. The field recorded production growth rates from 5,000 barrels in 2019 to 55 thousand by 2022.
Today, the Group celebrates a production increase that reached 60,000 barrels per day."
"The Bisat oil field is one of the most important projects of OQ’s upstream sector and Oman
Investment Authority’s (OIA’s) national development portfolio. It comes as part of OQ’s efforts to
promote the added value of Oman’s natural resources, supports the development plans, improves
the revenues and achieves the objectives and aspirations of Oman Vision 2040. It is applying
modern technologies and digital solutions to enhance the sustainability of resources and
operations," he added.
Al-Awfi continued, "This project contributes to enhancing the company's position and reputation as
one of the oilfield developers in the Sultanate. This in turn bolsters the government's confidence in

our ability to develop other oilfields. It will also allow us to create job opportunities for our local
communities and support nation-building efforts, one of the key goals of Oman Vision 2040.”
He elaborated, "As part of the tireless efforts exerted by OQ to stimulate the productivity of the
Omani economy, the in-country value for the Bisat oil field project reached about OMR57 million. In
addition, the total amount spent on local SMEs and contractors logged OMR34 million of the overall
cost of the project. Products manufactured in Oman accounted for OMR60 million of the total
procurement of the project. The project has also created direct and indirect opportunities for the
Omani youth, resulting in a high overall Omanisation rate (85 per cent) of the group employees
working in concession area no. 60."
The CEO of OQ Group
concluded, "The Bisat oil field
applies advanced technologies
and modern solutions such as the
fabricated designs of production
stations. This contributed to
accelerating the production after
two years only following the
discovery of the field. As result,
the return on investment was
maximized within a record time.
This reflects the efficiency of the
strategy that has been adopted to
accelerate the production using
the latest technologies, the
outstanding levels of national
competencies working in the field,
and the assiduous efforts exerted
to support the targets and visions
of our national economy."
It is worth noting that the group
adopted and implemented plans
and systems that contributed to
neutralising the carbon footprint
and promoting sustainability
values. To this end, the Bisat oil
field used new innovative
technologies to monitor carbon
emissions, gas levels, flaring and
energy efficiency for the first time
in the Sultanate of Oman.
Moreover, the exploration and production arm of OQ used non-metal pipes that have a longer shelf
life compared to conventional metal pipes. These pipes could be fixed promptly and flexibly. This
resulted in reducing the risks related to the construction works and accelerating the pace of the
operation.
His Highness toured the exhibition that was held on the sidelines of the ceremony. This exhibition
showcased the stages of the Bisat oil field’s development. He listened to an explanation about the
potential of the field and the technologies used in it.

Libya: Italy's Eni signs $8 bn gas deal as Meloni visits Libya
Italian energy giant Eni signed an $8 billion gas deal with Libya's state-run National Oil Corporation
Saturday as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Tripoli.
European governments have been scrambling to find alternatives to Russian gas since last year's
invasion of Ukraine saw deliveries slashed to less than half their pre-war levels, sending prices
soaring to record highs and triggering costly state subsidies to protect consumers.
Eni said it was the first
major project in Libya since
early 2000 and involved the
development of two
offshore gas fields. "The
combined gas production
from the two structures will
start in 2026 and reach a
plateau of 750 million of
standard gas cubic feet per
day," Eni said in a
statement.
"Production will be ensured
through two main platforms
tied in to the existing
treatment facilities at the
Mellitah Complex," 80
kilometres (50 miles) west
of the capital, it added.
"The project also includes the construction of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Mellitah,
allowing a significant reduction of the overall carbon footprint," the company added.
"The overall estimated investment will amount to $8 billion, with significant impact on the industry
and the associated supply chain, allowing a significant contribution to the Libyan economy."
Eni has an 80 percent share of Libya's gas production.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Meloni and her host Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who heads
the UN-brokered Government of National Unity which is contested by a rival administration in the
east.
Her visit is the first by a European leader to war-battered Libya since her predecessor Mario Draghi's
visit in April 2021.
Meloni also visited Algeria this week seeking supply deals from Africa's top gas exporter.
During her trip to Libya, she was expected to discuss the issue of migration amid rising numbers of
irregular migrants from Libya to Italy.
Libya is a conduit for thousands of people each year fleeing conflict and poverty across Africa,
seeking refuge across the Mediterranean in Europe.
Meloni's far-right government took office in October, vowing to stop migrant landings in Italy, which
reached more than 105,000 in 2022.

U.S House Passes Bill Tying Oil Reserve Releases to Federal Output
Bloomberg - Ari Natter
Legislation that would tie the release of oil from US emergency stockpiles to more federal oil and
gas production was passed by the House, as Republicans use their majority to highlight the Biden
administration’s historic drawdown from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The Strategic Production Response Act, which was approved by a vote of 221-205 on Friday, would
bar the Energy Department from releasing oil from the SPR unless it creates a plan to increase
leasing on federal lands and waters. The restriction wouldn’t apply in cases where there is a severe
energy supply disruption, according to a summary of the legislation.
The bill, which President Joe Biden has vowed to veto, isn’t expected to become law. But the
measure gives Republicans a chance to spotlight the administration’s 180 million barrel release
from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve last year, a move they have cast as misuse of the oil reserve
in an effort to lower gasoline prices before the November midterm elections.
“At a time when gas prices are on the rise, Secretary Granholm and the Biden administration need
to be transparent with the American people about their efforts to cover up how they’ve abused the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve as an election-year gimmick,” said Representative Cathy McMorris
Rodgers, the Washington Republican who authored the bill. “Republicans want durable, long-lasting
relief at the pump.”
The White House has said the release of oil from the reserve was needed to address price spikes
caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing supply disruptions. And it has accused the
GOP of trying to raise gasoline prices for Americans by pushing the legislation, while touting the
fact that costs at the pump have dropped about 30% from highs that peaked at more than $5 a
gallon last summer.
“The bill would significantly weaken a critical energy security tool, resulting in more oil supply
shortages and higher gas prices for working families,” the White House said in a statement regarding
the House legislation, H.R. 21. “By interfering with the United States’ ability to release oil collectively,
this legislation would help Putin’s war aims.”

UK's National Grid asks for coal power to be warmed as back-up
Reuters + NewBase
Britain's National Grid asked coal-fired power plants to be warmed up as a back-up option for power
generation on Thurs day as cold we ather was expected to push up demand.
"The ESO has issued a notification that we will warm winter contingency coal units for potential use
on Thursday 26 January," National Grid Electricity System Operator said on Twitter
The Liddell coal-fired power station is pictured in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, Australia,
April 9, 2017. Jason Reed, Reuters Image used for illustrative purpose.
"This notification is not confirmation that these units will be used on Thursday, but that they will be
available to the ESO, if required."
National Grid requested three coal-powered generators to be fired up on Sunday, but stood them
down a day later as the supply picture had improved. It also activated a scheme through which it
offered to pay customers to use less power.
Drax, the owner of the Yorkshire units, and West Burton, owned by France’s EDF, agreed in the
summer to extend the lives of their coal-fired generation units through the winter in exchange for
fees as the UK government looked to shore up Britain’s energy supplies after Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine.
The Drax and West Burton plants had been due to close their coal operations in the autumn to
reduce use of the more polluting fuel, but their owners agreed to keep them open until at least March
if needed by National Grid.

India asks utilities to not retire coal-fired power plants till 2030
Reuters + NewBase
India has asked utilities to not retire coal-fired power plants till 2030 due to a surge in electricity
demand, according to a federal power ministry notice reviewed by Reuters, just over two years after
committing to eventually phase down use of the fuel.
The energy-hungry nation said last May it plans to reduce power generation from least 81 coal-fired
plants over the next four years, but the proposal did not involve shutting down any of its 179 coal
power plants. India has not set a formal timeline for phasing down coal use.
"It is advised to all power utilities not to retire any thermal (power generation) units till 2030 and
ensure availability of units after carrying out renovation and modernisation activities if required," the
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said in a notice dated Jan. 20 sent to officials in the federal power
ministry.
The CEA, which acts as an advisor to the ministry, cited a December meeting where the federal
power minister had asked that ageing thermal power plants not be retired, and to instead increase
the lifetime of such units "considering (the) expected demand scenario".
India, the world's second largest-consumer, producer and importer of coal, fell short of its 2022
renewable energy addition target by nearly a third. Coal accounts for nearly three-quarters of annual
electricity generation.

Power demand in India has surged in the recent months due to extreme weather, rising household
use or electricity as more companies allowing employees to work from home, and a pickup in
industrial activity after easing of coronavirus-related restrictions.
Peak power demand met - a measure of maximum power supplied during the day - rose to a record
of as much as 210.6 GW on Jan. 18, 1.7% surpassing the previous peak of 207.1 GW at the height
of an intense heatwave last April that caused India's worst power crisis in six and a half years.
"Peak power demand has already risen 5% this year. If it increased by another 3-4%, we could be
staring at another cris is," a senior official at a utility in a southern Indian state said.
"There is no question of retiring old coal units," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity
because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

NewBase January 30 -2023 Khaled Al Awadi
NewBase for discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
Oil stable after drone attack in Iran, China's pledge to promote consumption
Reuters + NewBase
Oil prices climbed in early Asia trade on Monday, supported by tensions in the Middle East following
a drone attack in Iran and as Beijing pledged over the weekend to promote a consumption recovery
which would support fuel demand.
Brent crude futures initially rose 54 cents, but later dropped 29 cents, or 0.33%, to $86.37 a barrel
by 05.55 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $79.51 a barrel, down 17 cents,
or 0.2%.
"It is not really clear yet what's happening in Iran, but any escalation there has the potential to disrupt
crude flow," said Stefano Grasso, a senior portfolio manager at 8VantEdge in Singapore.
Ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by
Russia, known collectively as OPEC+, are unlikely to tweak its current oil output policy when they
meet virtually on Feb. 1.
Oil price special
coverage

Still, indication of a rise in crude exports from Russia's Baltic ports in early February caused Brent
and WTI to post their first weekly loss in three last week.
On Saturday, China's cabinet said it would promote a consumption recovery as the major driver of
the economy and boost imports, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
"We have Russia on the supply side and China on the demand side. Both can swing by more than
1 million barrels per day above or below expectation," said Grasso, formerly an oil trader with Italy's
Eni.
"China seems to have surprised the market in terms of how fast they are coming out of zero COVID
while Russia has surprised in terms of resilience of export volume despite the sanctions."
China resumes business this week after its Lunar New Year holidays. The number of passengers
travelling prior to the holidays rose above levels in the past two years but is still below 2019, Citi
analysts said in a note, citing data from the Ministry of Transport.
"Overall international traffic recovery remains gradual, with high-single to low-teens digits to 2019
level, and we expect further recovery when outbound tour group travel resumes on Feb. 6," the Citi
note said.

NewBase Specual Coverage
The Energy world –January -01 -2023
CLEAN ENERGY
‘There Is No Hope Left’: Five Charts Show Tunisia’s Descent
 Arab Spring’s birthplace wracked by political, economic crisis
 Parliamentary runoff takes place Sunday amid widespread apathy
Bloomberg - Abeer Abu Omar and Souhail Karam
When Tunisian President Kais Saied visited a cafe in a working-class district of the capital recently,
a group of young men served a terse dose of realism. “There is no hope left,” one said.
Such sentiments aren’t unusual in Tunisia, where many are frustrated by both a slide in living
standards since the 2011 Arab Spring revolts and food shortages in the wake of Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine. A potential bailout from the International Monetary Fund may be accompanied by cuts
in government spending and further economic hardship, though it’s not clear how quickly funds will
trickle in.
As Tunisia holds a second round of parliamentary elections Sunday, the following five charts show
the depth of the North African nation’s social and economic crisis.
Shrinking Pie
Factoring in estimated 2.5% growth in 2022, Tunisia’s economic pie is still smaller than it was before
the overthrow of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. The population has grown some
12% in the past decade, and about a fifth of the country now lives in poverty.
Tunisia's Population Grew as Economic Growth Faltered
Population growth (millions) vs. economic growth (billions)
Source: World Bank

Inflation Speeds Up
Inflation looks set to deliver more pain for Tunisians this year after the consumer price index hit
double digits in 2022 — its highest level in 30 years. The country has seen sporadic shortages of
key food items over the past 12 months. Earlier in January, oil-rich neighbor Libya sent wheat, rice
and sugar as assistance.
Voter Apathy
Tunisians appear to have had it with elections and voting. Participation has fallen since Saied
assumed sweeping powers in July 2021 and suspended parliament, moves critics dubbed a coup.
Just 11% of the electorate took part in December’s initial parliamentary vote, one of the world’s
lowest turnouts for any major election. Meanwhile, the national journalists’ union reports growing
media censorship and physical and verbal attacks in recent years.
The Number of Tunisian Voters Has Dwindled, Voter numbers between Oct. 2011 and Dec. 2022
Source: Bloomberg calculations from election commission figures

Lack of Jobs
Youth unemployment rose to 37.8% in the third quarter of 2022, up from 35.4% in 2019, the year
Saied, a law professor, rode a wave of popular discontent with the political establishment to win the
presidential election. The rate peaked at 42.5% in the last quarter of 2020, its highest since
Tunisians ousted Ben Ali.
Unemployment Among Tunisian Youth Picked Up Pace
Unemployment among 15-24 year-old Tunisians (2020-2022)
Source: Tunisia National Statistics Institute, Note: Latest data available are for 3Q22
Youths Fleeing
Tunisian youth are fleeing by sea to Europe at the highest rate since before the Arab Spring. Last
year about 18,000 arrived in Italy, the destination for the vast majority of illicit migrants, while twice
that number were intercepted en route to Europe. The voyage is fraught with risks — about 580
people either drowned or were reported missing after leaving Tunisian shores in 2022.
Growing Numbers of Tunisians Are Trying to Flee, Illicit migration attempts from 2019 to 2022

NewBase Energy News 30 January 2023 - Issue No. 1588 call on +971504822502, UAE
The Editor:” Khaled Al Awadi” Your partner in Energy Services
NewBase energy news is produced Twice a week and sponsored by Hawk Energy Service – Dubai, UAE.
For additional free subscriptions, please email us.
About: Khaled Malallah Al Awadi,
Energy Consultant
MS & BS Mechanical Engineering (HON), USA
Emarat member since 1990
ASME member since 1995
Hawk Energy member 2010
www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-al-awadi-38b995b
Mobile: +971504822502
khdmohd@hawkenergy.net or khdmohd@hotmail.com
Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with over 30 years of experience in the Oil & Gas
sector. Has Mechanical Engineering BSc. & MSc. Degrees from leading U.S.
Universities. Currently working as self leading external Energy consultant for the
GCC area via many leading Energy Services companies. Khaled is the Founder of
the NewBase Energy news articles issues, Khaled is an international consultant,
advisor, ecopreneur and journalist with expertise in Gas & Oil pipeline Networks,
waste management, waste-to-energy, renewable energy, environment protection
and sustainable development. His geographical areas of focus include Middle East,
Africa and Asia. Khaled has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in
the areas of Gas & Oil with extensive works on Gas Pipeline Network Facilities & gas
compressor stations. Executed projects in the designing & constructing of gas pipelines, gas metering &
regulating stations and in the engineering of gas/oil supply routes.
Has drafted & finalized many contracts/agreements in products sale, transportation, operation &
maintenance agreements. Along with many MOUs & JVs for organizations & governments authorities.
Currently dealing for biomass energy, biogas, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. He has
participated in numerous conferences and workshops as chairman, session chair, keynote speaker and
panelist.
Khaled is the Editor-in-Chief of NewBase Energy News and is a professional environmental writer with over
1400 popular articles to his credit. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable
energy, waste management, plant Automation IA and environmental sustainability in different parts of the
world. Khaled has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas Conferences and for many Energy program
broadcasted internationally, via GCC leading satellite Channels. Khaled can be reached at any time, see
contact details above.

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NewBase 30-January-2023 Energy News issue - 1588 by Khaled Al Awadi.pdf