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As cash flow flattens, major energy companies increase debt, sell assets

Cash from operations for major energy companies has flattened in line with flat crude oil prices, which have had the lowest price volatility in years. Based on data compiled from quarterly reports, for the year ending March 31, 2014, cash from operations for 127 major oil and natural gas companies totaled $568 billion, and major uses of cash totaled $677 billion, a difference of almost $110 billion. This shortfall was filled through a $106 billion net increase in debt and $73 billion from sales of […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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EIA: Firms with flattened cash flow increase borrowing to meet spending

In line with the lowest price volatility in years and stable crude oil prices, cash flow from operations for major energy companies has flattened. Data compiled from quarterly reports suggest that, for the year ending Mar. 31, cash from operations for 127 major oil and gas companies totaled $568 billion, and major uses of cash totaled $677 billion, generating a gap of almost $110 billion, according to a recent study by the US Energy Information Administration . The study noted that to fill the shortfall and increase the overall cash balance, major energy companies have increased net debt by $106 billion and gained proceeds of $76 billion from asset sales. EIA also noted that, during the past 3 years, the gap between cash from operations and major uses of cash has widened in recent years from a low of $18 billion in 2010 to $100-120 […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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EU Aims at Russian Banks, Technology in Widest Sanctions Yet

The European Union curbed Russia’s access to bank financing and advanced technology in its widest-ranging sanctions yet over President Vladimir Putin ’s backing of the rebellion in eastern Ukraine. EU governments agreed today in Brussels to bar Russian state-owned banks from selling shares or bonds in Europe and restricted the export of equipment to modernize the oil industry, a key prop for Russia’s economy, two EU officials told reporters. New contracts to sell arms to Russia and the export of machinery, electronics and other civilian products with military uses will also be banned. “The political implications of the escalation in tensions are likely to cast a further chill over relations between Russia and the West,” Citigroup Inc. analysts including Eric Lee and Tina Fordham said in a note to clients before the EU decision. “Economic costs are starting to bite, but it could be a while before the economic […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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EU and U.S. announce new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

The European Union and the United States on Tuesday announced further sanctions against Russia, targeting its energy, banking and defense sectors in the strongest international action yet over Moscow’s support for rebels in eastern Ukraine. The measures mark the start of a new phase in the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War, which worsened dramatically after the downing of Malaysian flight MH17 over rebel-held territory on July 17 by what Western countries say was a Russian-supplied missile. "If Russia continues on this current path, the costs on Russia will continue to grow," President Barack Obama said in Washington. "Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the sanctions that we’ve already imposed have made a weak Russian economy even weaker," he said. In Brussels, diplomats said ambassadors from the 28-member European bloc agreed to restrictions on trade of equipment for the oil and defense […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Siemens to BP Prepare for Downward Russia Business Spiral

BP Plc , Siemens AG and Renault SA are among European companies preparing for a downward turn in their Russian business following the European Union’s decision to impose its widest-ranging sanctions yet over President Vladimir Putin ’s involvement in eastern Ukraine. EU leaders announced plans yesterday to restrict the export to Russia of equipment to modernize the oil industry and forbid the sale of machinery, electronics and other civilian products with potential military uses. New arms contracts with Russia are also not allowed. The sanctions will have a direct impact on companies like Siemens, which may no longer be able to sell oil equipment to Russia, and an indirect effect on many others like Renault, which expects the country’s auto market to contract more than 10 percent in 2014 as consumers hold back purchases. BP, owner of 20 percent of state-backed OAO Rosneft , yesterday warned of risks to […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Russia's central bank supports sanctions targets

Russia’s central bank promised to support financial institutions hit by U.S. sanctions as stocks took a tumble in Moscow on Wednesday. In an online statement, the bank promised to "take adequate measures" to support targeted institutions. Russia’s state-owned VTB bank – Russia’s second-largest – was down 0.5 percent on Wednesday morning. Other major banks that were left unscathed by sanctions – such as the country’s largest, Sberbank – were trading higher. Russia’s MICEX benchmark index added 2.3 percent from its previous closing. U.S. officials said Tuesday that roughly 30 percent of Russia’s banking sector assets are now constrained by sanctions. The move comes after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine. Western officials accuse pro-Russian separatists of bringing down the plane with a missile supplied by Moscow. The West also halted future sales to lucrative Russian economic sectors, with the U.S. announcing plans […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Russia’s central bank supports sanctions targets

Russia’s central bank promised to support financial institutions hit by U.S. sanctions as stocks took a tumble in Moscow on Wednesday. In an online statement, the bank promised to "take adequate measures" to support targeted institutions. Russia’s state-owned VTB bank – Russia’s second-largest – was down 0.5 percent on Wednesday morning. Other major banks that were left unscathed by sanctions – such as the country’s largest, Sberbank – were trading higher. Russia’s MICEX benchmark index added 2.3 percent from its previous closing. U.S. officials said Tuesday that roughly 30 percent of Russia’s banking sector assets are now constrained by sanctions. The move comes after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine. Western officials accuse pro-Russian separatists of bringing down the plane with a missile supplied by Moscow. The West also halted future sales to lucrative Russian economic sectors, with the U.S. announcing plans […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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BP frets over 'strategic objectives in Russia'

British energy company BP said Tuesday its second quarter profits soared, but any additional sanctions could impact "strategic objectives in Russia." BP reported second quarter replacement cost profits, a measure that eliminates oil price volatility, at $3.2 billion, up 34 percent from the same period in 2013. BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in a statement cash flow during the second quarter was "robust." The company attributed its strong second quarter to upstream operations in the Gulf of Mexico and overhauls at its refinery in Whiting, Indiana. Elsewhere, the company said sanctions on the Russian energy sector, particularly oil company Rosneft, could impact business operations in Russia. "Any future erosion of our relationship with Rosneft, or the impact of further economic sanctions, could adversely impact our business and strategic objectives in Russia, the level of our income, production and reserves, our investment in Rosneft and our reputation," the company […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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BP frets over ‘strategic objectives in Russia’

British energy company BP said Tuesday its second quarter profits soared, but any additional sanctions could impact "strategic objectives in Russia." BP reported second quarter replacement cost profits, a measure that eliminates oil price volatility, at $3.2 billion, up 34 percent from the same period in 2013. BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in a statement cash flow during the second quarter was "robust." The company attributed its strong second quarter to upstream operations in the Gulf of Mexico and overhauls at its refinery in Whiting, Indiana. Elsewhere, the company said sanctions on the Russian energy sector, particularly oil company Rosneft, could impact business operations in Russia. "Any future erosion of our relationship with Rosneft, or the impact of further economic sanctions, could adversely impact our business and strategic objectives in Russia, the level of our income, production and reserves, our investment in Rosneft and our reputation," the company […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Europe, U.S. Significantly Expand Sanctions Against Russian Economy

President Barack Obama said the U.S. is intensifying its economic sanctions against Russia, hitting Moscow’s energy, arms and banking industries in response to what he said was President Vladimir Putin’s continued fueling of violence in eastern Ukraine. Jerry Seib joins the News Hub with Sara Murray. Photo: Getty Images. The U.S. and the European Union adopted sweeping economic sanctions against Russia on Tuesday to punish Moscow’s unbending stance in the Ukraine conflict. The question for the West now is whether the move will make Russian President Vladimir Putin more cooperative or prompt him to dig in. The trade and investment restrictions that EU governments, after much agonizing, agreed upon mark a major escalation of sanctions against Russia, which so far have been mostly token measures targeting individuals. New measures hitting Russia’s banks, oil industry and military could increase financial strains in its already sluggish economy while withholding technology that […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple