Bitumen Africa Podcast
Podcast about Market and Finanacial Events
Updated Weekly on Saturday
Bitumen Africa Podcast e20 – Oil Price Decline: Tariffs, Ukraine Talks, and Bitumen Overview
Bitumen Africa Podcast e19 – Geopolitical Tensions: US-Russia, Ukraine, and Oil Market Impacts
Bitumen Africa Podcast e18 – Trump’s Policies: Tariffs, Hostages, and International Relations
Fundamentals
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OPEC+ announced a small production increase
OPEC+ announced a slight increase in oil production for April, citing a "healthier oil market outlook." The alliance remains optimistic about global oil demand, forecasting growth of 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) for both 2025 and 2026. However, this optimism may not be the primary reason behind the decision, as OPEC+ has delayed easing […]
Analysts Think Oil Prices Will Remain Subdued
Oil prices are expected to remain around current levels or even decrease further in 2025, according to analysts in a recent Reuters poll. Experts believe that sufficient oil supply and spare capacity within the OPEC+ group will help maintain prices in the low $70s per barrel. The group’s spare capacity of 5 million barrels per […]
Bitumen Price Trends in 2026: Navigating Market Shifts and Future Projections
The bitumen market is a critical component of the global construction and infrastructure sectors, playing a key role in road construction, roofing, and various industrial applications. As we look towards 2026, the dynamics surrounding bitumen prices will be shaped by a blend of factors, from global economic recovery and policy changes to innovations in production […]
Europe’s Automakers Shift Gears Towards Affordable EVs
China is rapidly emerging as the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, thanks to favorable government policies, easy access to critical minerals and battery technology, and low-cost manufacturing capabilities. This has spurred the development of a large EV production industry in China, making it a formidable competitor to other parts of the world, including […]
Negative Energy Prices Threaten Renewable Investment in Europe
The rapid expansion of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, has led to an increasing number of hours where electricity prices dip below zero, meaning utilities must pay consumers to take excess energy. This phenomenon, once rare, is becoming common as renewable energy production does not always align with demand due to factors like weather […]
What Happened to the Green Hydrogen Boom?
A fleet of 37 hydrogen-powered buses has been delivered to Bologna, Italy, as part of a broader initiative by the local transport operator TPER to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This marks the first phase of a larger order of 137 hydrogen buses, which will also be deployed in nearby Ferrara. The project is co-funded by […]
Oil, Gas Drillers See Increased Activity
The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States rose this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday, after a 6-rig increase in the week prior. The total rig count rose by 4 rigs, to 586, according to Baker Hughes, down 37 from this same […]
Iraq Targets 7M Bpd, But Smarter Strategy Could Unlock Much More
aq is targeting an increase in its oil production capacity to 7 million barrels per day (bpd). country holds significant proven oil reserves, estimated at 115 billion barrels, with potential additional reserves in unexplored regions. Noy, Iraq possesses nine super-giant fields and 22 giant fields, primarily located in the southeastern part of the country. (enikipedia.org) […]
China’s Economic Dominance in Central Asia Continues to Grow
The Trump Administration has prioritized countering China’s expanding global influence, particularly in Central Asia, where the U.S. faces challenges in reducing Beijing’s dominant economic presence. China has solidified its role as the region’s top trade partner, surpassing Russia, with trade turnover reaching $94.8 billion in 2024, up from $89.4 billion the previous year. Chinese exports […]
Oil hits 2-week low as China’s DeepSeek AI spurs demand fears
Oil prices fell by about 2% to a two-week low on Monday, driven by concerns over energy demand following the rise of Chinese startup DeepSeek’s low-cost AI model. Prior to this news, oil was already trading lower due to weak economic data from China and fears that proposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump could […]