Chevron and Shell Nearing First Major Oil Production Agreements with Venezuela Since US Capture of President Maduro, Industry Sources Report
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 15 hours ago
0mins
Source: moomoo
US and UK Oil Companies: Major oil companies Chevron (US) and Shell (UK) are closing in on significant oil production deals in Venezuela.
Impact of Political Changes: These developments follow the US capture of President Maduro, which has shifted the landscape for oil production in the region.
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Analyst Views on COP
Wall Street analysts forecast COP stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 117.030
Low
98.00
Averages
115.67
High
133.00
Current: 117.030
Low
98.00
Averages
115.67
High
133.00
About COP
ConocoPhillips is an exploration and production company. Its Alaska segment primarily explores for, produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. The Lower 48 segment consists of operations located in the 48 contiguous states in the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. Canadian operations consist of the Surmont oil sands development in Alberta, the liquids-rich Montney unconventional play in British Columbia and commercial operations. The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment consists of operations principally located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, Qatar, Libya, Equatorial Guinea and commercial and terminalling operations in the United Kingdom. Asia Pacific segment has exploration and production operations in China, Malaysia, Australia and commercial operations in China, Singapore and Japan. Other International segment includes interests in Colombia as well as contingencies associated with prior operations in other countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strong ETF Performance: The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has surged over 20% year-to-date, driven by the geopolitical tensions following the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran, presenting lucrative investment opportunities for investors.
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- Market Risks and Defensive Strategy: Given the potential for significant oil price fluctuations due to the Middle East crisis, the diversified business models of the State Street Energy Select SPDR ETF provide a relatively safe investment option, particularly in the event of declining oil prices.
- Attractive Valuation and Yield: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 20x, below the S&P 500's 29x, and a distribution yield of 2.6%, the ETF demonstrates strong appeal in the current market environment, offering solid income regardless of oil price volatility.
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- Inflation Data Expectations: Economists forecast a 2.4% year-over-year increase in February's Consumer Price Index (CPI), which will provide crucial insights for the Fed's monetary policy, especially in light of recent oil price surges.
- Middle East Tensions: Investors are closely monitoring the conflict in the Middle East, which caused oil prices to spike to $120 per barrel on Monday; although prices have eased, they remain elevated, potentially exerting pressure on economic recovery.
- Upcoming Economic Releases: In addition to the CPI, housing starts and weekly initial jobless claims will be released on Thursday, followed by the personal consumption expenditures index on Friday, all of which will further shape market assessments of economic health.
See More
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- Shipping Traffic Disruption: Since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt, indicating a significant increase in security risks for this strategic waterway.
- International Warnings Escalate: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued warnings urging vessels to transit cautiously and report any suspicious activity, reflecting heightened international concern over the situation in the region.
- Global Energy Supply Risks: The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments, and the current tensions could severely impact global energy supplies, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts.
See More
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- U.S. Military Actions: The U.S. Central Command confirmed the sinking of several Iranian ships, including 16 minelayers, on Tuesday, signaling an increased military presence in the Strait of Hormuz that could escalate regional tensions and impact global oil prices and supply chains.
- Semiconductor Industry Pressure: Analysts warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could hinder access to critical materials for the semiconductor industry, while rising energy costs may suppress chip demand, leading to decreased investor confidence in related stocks.
- Oracle Earnings Boost: Oracle reported an earnings beat and issued strong guidance, with its stock rising nearly 10% in after-hours trading, alleviating investor concerns over its substantial debt load and showcasing its ongoing investment potential in the artificial intelligence sector.
See More
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- Escalating U.S. Military Actions: U.S. Defense Secretary warned of the most intense strikes on Iran, with Central Command confirming the sinking of several Iranian ships, including 16 mine layers, indicating a significant increase in U.S. military presence in the region, which could impact global oil prices and market sentiment.
- Oil Price Volatility: Asia-Pacific markets traded higher as global oil prices softened, with G7 discussions on using emergency crude reserves to ease supply constraints, highlighting international efforts to stabilize oil prices, which may influence future market trends.
- Focus on U.S. Inflation Data: U.S. stock futures hovered near flat ahead of key consumer inflation data, with economists expecting a 2.4% year-over-year rise in CPI, which will provide clearer insights into the strength of the U.S. economy and influence investor decisions.
See More
