Afghanistan’s mineral bounty 💥 Big Oil’s chemical high
Plus: Governments bankroll dubious hydrogen projects, the escalating cost of decarbonisation, Equinor ‘trolls’ EU gas market + MORE
First up: Demand for petrochemicals helped pandemic-bludgeoned integrated oil companies repair their balance sheets in the second quarter. The outlook for petchems is bullish, and strategic investments are flowing according.
And: The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan is stoking fears that vital energy transition minerals and rare earth metals could end up in China’s hands. But the situation is more nuanced than some commentators would have you believe.
Here’s the line-up:
⚡Transition lines:
Afghanistan’s minerals, China and the Taliban
Governments bankroll dubious hydrogen projects, despite warnings
Decarbonisation starts cheap, gets more expensive
Equinor ‘trolls’ overheated EU gas markets
Tellurian fever breaks Nasdaq
And lots more…
🧠Energised minds:
EU faces long battle over carbon border taxes
China’s aluminium decarbonisation paradox