#international crude oil price

[mariacallous]

In 2025, we will see a fundamental transformation in the language of climate politics. We’re going to hear a lot less about “reducing emissions” from scientists and policymakers and a lot more about “phasing out fossil fuels” or “ending coal, oil, and methane gas.” This is a good thing. Although it is scientifically accurate, the phrase “reducing emissions” is too easily used for greenwashing by the fossil-energy industry and its advocates. The expression “ending coal, oil, and methane gas,” on the other hand, keeps the focus on the action that will do most to resolve the climate crisis.

This discourse shift has been initiated by the latest report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The world’s climate scientists say that already existing fossil-energy infrastructure is projected to emit the total carbon budget for halting global heating at 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial temperatures. This statement means two things. It means that the world cannot develop any more coal, oil, or gas, if we want our planet to remain relatively livable. And it means that even some already developed fossil-fuel deposits will need to be retired before the end of their lifetime, since we need to leave space in the carbon budget for essential activities like agriculture.

The international community has already integrated this new science into its global climate governance. The 28th Conference of the Parties—the annual conference of the world’s nations party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—called for every country to contribute to “transitioning away from fossil fuels.” Never before in the history of international climate negotiations had the main cause of global heating been clearly named and specifically targeted. The United Nations itself now calls for the phaseout of coal, oil, and methane gas.

This new climate language will become mainstream in 2025. In her policy plans for her second term aspPresident of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen pledged not to work to lower EU emissions, but to “continue to bring down energy prices by moving further away from fossil fuels.” The new UK government promised in its manifesto that it will withhold licenses for new coal and for oil exploration—and states outright that it will “ban fracking for good.” And in France, Macron has explicitly vowed to end fossil-fuel use entirely.

Climate politics in the US will also evolve in the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection for president. Republicans will continue to embrace a “drill, baby, drill” climate agenda, denying the danger or sometimes even the reality of climate change while advocating for expanding domestic crude and methane-gas production. They may try to greenwash their policies by claiming they embrace an “all of the above” energy strategy, but this messaging will have limited effects. Due to political polarization the association of Trump with coal, oil, and gas will raise Democratic support for phasing out fossil fuels. Before the 2024 election, 59 percent of Democrats said climate change should be the Federal government’s top priority, but only 48 percent said they supported a phaseout. In 2025 majorities of Democrats will begin to support fossil-fuel phaseout, especially if climate advocates revive science-based climate messaging, continue to emphasize that clean-energy deployment is job creation, and frame choosing to phase out fossil fuels as a form of freedom that upholds our right to a livable future.

Given that Democrats won many down-ballot races, and cities and states are still pledging to pass climate policies, this shift in the Democratic majority will keep the US on the map in international climate negotiations, whether or not Trump withdraws the US from the Paris Agreement, creating new local alliances with the UK, the EU, and global south nations calling for international fossil-fuel phaseout targets. This bloc can counter the power of petrostates in international climate negotiations. At the very least, the mainstreaming of the language of fossil-fuel phaseout will help undermine the greenwashing strategy of current oil and gas company PR, which falsely advertises industry as pursuing technologies at scale to help “reduce emissions” even as they continue their upstream investments.

Of course the petrostates, along with India and China, will push back against the rhetoric of fossil fuel phaseout. But India can be helped to turn away from its domestic coal stores by clean-energy financing at close to cost along with the international aid and technology transfers already pledged at previous climate conferences. And although its rhetoric may not align with that of the West, China should not be imagined as opposed to climate action. China has enacted the most comprehensive climate policy on the planet, in service of its goal to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2060. If their climate messaging remains focused on “emissions,” in light of their plan to keep using fossil fuels past 2030, they are preparing for next decade’s pivot away from fossil fuels by building out clean energy at a truly extraordinary rate.

In 2025 climate discourse will recenter on the message that halting global heating requires the phaseout of coal, oil, and gas. This new consensus will shift the politics of climate change and help motivate an urgent sprint to a clean-energy, ecologically integrated economy—the only economy that ensures a livable future.

[rjzimmerman]

Trump’s Oil and Gas Donors Don’t Really Want to ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’. (Wall Street Journal)

Excerpt from this Wall Street Journal story:

Donald Trump wants oil companies to “drill, baby, drill” on the first day of his presidency, but his fossil-fuel benefactors have a different agenda.

Many of the tycoons who backed the Republican’s victorious campaign say what they need help with is shoring up demand for their products—not pumping more fossil fuels, which they have little incentive to do.

They are pushing for policies that would lock in fossil-fuel use, such as easier permitting for pipelines and terminals to shuttle fossil fuels to new markets. They also favor eliminating Biden administration policies meant to put more electric vehicles on the road. 

Under President Biden, shale companies produced record amounts of oil and natural gas as crude prices rebounded from the pandemic’s depths and then soared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But the industry is also confronting the early stages of a long-term shift away from fossil fuels, as well as concerns that gasoline consumption has peaked in the U.S.

Trump handed shale donors their first big return on investment by nominating Liberty Energy Chief Executive Chris Wright, a fracking booster and fossil-fuels champion, to lead the president-elect’s Energy Department. 

When Dan Eberhart, the CEO of oil-field services firm Canary, met with Trump during a fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida this summer, Eberhart had a unique request. He asked Trump to push back on the International Energy Agency, the influential, Paris-based energy forecaster. The agency has predicted global oil demand will peak by the end of the decade, earning scorn from GOP lawmakers who dubbed the group an “energy transition cheerleader.” 

“You need to stop acting like fossil fuels are the devil,” Eberhart said in an interview, referring to the IEA’s stance. 

A spokesperson for the IEA said it remains “focused on its key missions of energy security and energy transitions, based on the mandates from our member governments.”

Many of Trump’s oil and natural-gas supporters favor easing regulations that govern drilling. The changes would include scrapping rules targeting methane emissions, getting new permits to frack on federal land and eliminating climate disclosure rules.  

But some donors grimace when they hear Trump promise that under his watch, crude-oil producers would open the floodgates. He has also promised to cut Americans’ energy costs by 50% or more. 

Oil backers’ skepticism stems from the fact that Wall Street has successfully pressured chronically indebted frackers to stop burning through cash, and return it to shareholders via buybacks and dividends instead of reinvesting it to frack more wells.  

[partisan-by-default]

"What's unusual about this moment is that the oil market seems to be well supplied. Prices are relatively low, global demand is down and there really has been an increase in supply," Yellen said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

The global oil markets are weighed down by ample supply and demand concerns, in part because of China's flagging economy. Analysts at Macquarie are forecasting a "heavy surplus" next year because of non-OPEC supply growth and "below-trend" demand growth.

International Brent crude-oil futures are down 4% year to date. US West Texas Intermediate futures are 1% lower over the same period.

"So the global oil market is softer, and that creates possibly an opportunity to take some further action," Yellen said.

Yellen said that she wouldn't preview any new sanctions but that the US would continue to put pressure on the Kremlin to end its war.

[magicshopaholic]

The Boyfriend (Namjoon x OC)

Summary: You use the boyfriend card to get out of a sticky situation.

Pairing: Namjoon x OC

Genre: Smut, some fluff

Word count: 5 K

Rating: 18+

Warnings: dirty talk, making out, fingering, oral sex, unprotected sex, doggy style, lots of insinuations

A/N: Smut. Just shameless smut. Set around six months after Seoul and can be read standalone.

Tagging: @bbl32, @quarter-life-crisis2, @margopinkerton, @faearchives, @whoisbts, @purpleseoul7, @kflixnet (if you want to be added to the taglist, lmk)

Listen to: “i wanna be yours” by arctic monkeys

namjoon masterlist | main masterlist

“So, based on what we’ve just talked about, which of these would be the best decision in a deflationary economy if you’re advising a crude oil giant?”

Answers pop up in a garble of voices, some educated guesses and some plain incorrect. There’s only one who seems to be completely confident in her answer.

“Jane, go for it.”

“Regulating supply to Q-1 until it hits the kink on the curve and the price rises to P-1.”

Before Kaya can respond, a student behind her wrinkles his nose.

“In a deflationary economy? So manufacturing and transportation costs can increase even more?”

“You want prices to increase so there’s greater investment in the economy -”

“How does investment help when there’s -”

“Alright, that’s enough,” calls Kaya, somewhat amused. Both students roll their eyes and each other and face forward. “You’re both right… theoretically. Who can tell me why?”

There’s another mess of answers and she chuckles, her gaze moving instinctively to the back of the class. There’s her thesis advisor, observing her teaching the class. He nods encouragingly behind his glasses, sharing her amusement. Behind him, in the last row, is that student again, the one with the baseball cap still on his head tilted low. 

In spite of it, she can’t miss his eyes behind his glasses finding hers, and her heart stutters. 

She averts her gaze instantly and takes a step backwards, reaching inside the bowl on her table. The sound of her heels clicking against the floor brings the class to relative silence.

Jane raises her hand again, pushing her glasses up with her other hand. In front of her, the open pages on her notebook are filled with scrawls in black ink of diagrams and text. Feeling a vague sense of kinship, Kaya points at her.

“Increased crude oil prices lead to greater investment in the shale oil space,” she answers immediately, and the guy behind her closes his eyes and sighs, evidently having forgotten this rather important detail. “This leads to an influx of cash in the economy, leading to more jobs and employment. As for the increase in costs,” she adds, turning around conspicuously to look at him, “that’s a side effect that can’t be helped. Those companies would be better off moving from consuming crude oil to shale oil.” Satisfied, she looks back to Kaya.

“Near perfect answer,” she confirms, tossing her a candy.

Despite the compliment, Jane frowns, absently catching the candy. The bell rings then and there’s a rustle as everyone begins standing up and gathering their things.

“Good class, everybody,” says Kaya, doing the same. “Don’t forget your pre-read for Wednesday’s class.”

There’s a murmur of assent as everybody begins heading out through the side doors in front of the class, passing by her desk to do so. Jane bounds up to her.

“Um, just asking for future reference,” she begins, “what was… not perfect about my answer? Because according to my notes,” she says, leafing through her notebook, “it was exactly what you said.”

Kaya winces internally, knowing that while teaching the class requires days of preparation, this is the hard part. Straightening up to face her, she sighs.

“Your answer was perfect,” she admits gently. “The gloating was not. Trust me, I’ve been there. Learnt it the hard way,” she adds honestly when Jane’s shoulders deflate and she trudges out with the rest of the class.

There aren’t too many people left in the class now. Another student, the same one who was caught unawares by Jane, stops by her desk. “I should’ve realised it was the shale thing,” he mutters, sounding disgruntled. “I don’t know how I missed it. I missed another thing last class. I don’t know why… is it possible - I mean…” He shuffles uncomfortably. “Do you… do you tutor?”

Hell no. “You don’t need tutoring, Jakob,” she answers instead, hoping she sounds encouraging. “You just need to pay a little more attention.” Kaya turns to switch off the projector, effectively ending the conversation. She doesn’t turn around until she hears footsteps behind her again, and her smile fades when she sees the student with the baseball cap, his hands in the pockets of his open hoodie. His glasses frame his face, and she sees blond hair peeking out from under the cap.

“I was going to ask the same thing,” he says after a moment, voice deeper than Jakob’s. “About the tutoring.”

Kaya swallows, her eyes darting around at the remaining few people still packing up. “My answer is the same as well,” she says shortly. “You don’t need tutoring.”

“I don’t?”

“No. You just need to pay attention in class.”

His gaze travels down her figure, from the slim white top to the pencil skirt she’d worn in hopes of being professional. The way he’s looking at her, though, is anything but. “You don’t make that very easy.” 

She pauses, her heart racing. Still aware that they aren’t alone, she bites her lip. “I have a boyfriend,” she murmurs, too low for anyone else to hear.

There’s a shadow of a smile under the cap. He takes a step closer and she catches a whiff of his familiar cologne. He’s taller than Jakob, too… “That’s what you said last time,” he reminds her.

Kaya’s cheeks grow hot but before she can respond, someone else comes over. 

“Kaya,” calls Adam, smiling. “Great class. You’re a natural,” he says, coming over and giving her a friendly one-armed hug.

She chuckles in relief, momentarily diverted. “Thank you. I tried to do everything you told me - notes and all,” she tells him. 

“You nailed it,” he assures her, patting her shoulder encouragingly. In contrast to the previous conversation, Adam speaks at a regular volume. Tall and lean in his mid-thirties, he adjusts his laptop bag and a file of papers in his other hand. Behind him, the other student has smoothly stepped back and is leaning against Jane’s desk, pretending to pay attention to his phone even though his thumb isn’t scrolling.

“It was… fun,” she admits. “Kind of like a high.”

“The good ones are,” agrees Adam. “The students really respond to you. Keep it up and I can start unloading even more of my classes onto you,” he jokes, pushing glasses up his nose in a move identical to Jane’s.

“Can’t wait.” Kaya grins and waves as he exits the lecture hall, feeling the unique calmness of relief. She waits until he’s well out of sight, leaving only one other person in the room.

“Was he asking about tutoring, too?” he asks, voice a little dryer than before.

The relief still seeping through her veins, she shrugs. “No. He was complimenting my class, as I’m sure you heard.”

“I was going to do that, too.”

She chuckles. “I appreciate it, but Adam is my thesis advisor,” she tells him, now giving him her full attention as he approaches her. “In this case, his opinion matters the most.”

He nods, jaw hardening slightly. “Well, good thing I’m not your boyfriend or that would actually hurt a little,” he tells her, now standing right in front of her. His hand strokes her hip and she gasps softly, grabbing it to move it.

“Not here,” she whispers. “Anyone could walk in.” When he smirks, presumably in anticipation of exactly that, she deliberately shoves his hand away. “And there are cameras.”

“Afraid your boyfriend’s going to see? You weren’t this worried the last time.”

“That’s because the last time we did this, it was in the privacy of your studio,” she reminds him, slipping out from in front of him and grabbing her bag. “How did you even get in here? Didn’t anybody see you?”

“Um… no, actually,” he answers, shaking his head. “I literally just gave my name at the gate and walked in. Security’s not great here, now that you mention it,” he informs her, now at a more normal volume.

Kaya frowns, not expecting this. “Seriously? What - you just said your name is Kim Namjoon and just… walked in?”

“Oh, no, I gave a fake name, obviously,” he says as they walk out together. “But it still worked. No one gave me a second look,” he adds, sounding almost uncertain. “Quite surprising. But a good thing.”

“That is surprising,” she agrees in a low voice, hoping it stays true for the short walk to her office as well. Namjoon is taller than average; even wearing heels, it feels like he’s towering over her, shielding her whole figure. Still, the clothing probably works, for no one seems to pay them any attention. She’s thankful it’s a Sunday - the number of people on campus is fewer than usual. They reach her office in relative silence and it isn’t until they’re both inside and she’s shut the door that she finally relaxes.

“I don’t allow hats and hoods in my class, by the way,” she tells him pointedly, grinning when he takes the hat off. “Don’t make me give you detention,” she warns.

“I can handle detention,” he says easily, running a hand through his hair. Kaya allows herself to admire him freely now, leaning back against her table in the small, air-conditioned office. 

“What are you doing here?” she asks him finally, tone softer than before.

“It’s your first class; I wanted to be there,” he answers, coming up to her and placing his hands on her hips again, tracing the shape in the pencil skirt. “And you were amazing. So confident and sexy,” he murmurs, tilting his head and brushing his lips against her collarbone.

Kaya feels goosebumps appear on her skin. “That’s… really sweet. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well…” Namjoon straightens up. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get in,” he admits. “And I didn’t want you to be nervous. Wanted you to focus on nothing but the class.”

She nods, biting her lip and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she says softly, leaning up before stopping abruptly. “Wait, what fake name did you use? I need to know who I’m making out with in my office.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And cheating on your boyfriend with?”

“Exactly.”

Namjoon rolls his eyes but tugs her hips closer to his. “I said my name was Jackson. It was the first one that popped into my head.”

“Jackson?” Kaya frowns, something stirring in her memory. “Don’t you have a friend called Jackson? Didn’t we - hang on, didn’t we go to a party at his house or something?”

“No, that wasn’t Jackson. Jackson was the one who sent me flowers and soup when I got a cold, remember? I think it was May,” he says vaguely.

“Oh, yeah, I remember you told me about that. He was a better girlfriend than me,” she teases, leaning up again.

“You still edge him out just a bit,” he mutters, pulling her closer and kissing her. She sinks into him instantly, the day’s stress, anxiety and relief disappearing in his taste and his scent. She feels his hands roaming her body with ease, running down the curves of her top and skirt, the pads of his thumbs pressing into the flesh, and she can tell here a restrained intake of breath.

“Don’t you think it’s unfair?” Namjoon murmurs, trailing kisses across her jaw. He takes a step forward and backs her into the table.

It takes Kaya a moment to respond. “What is?”  she asks, eyes still closed. 

“Expecting your students to concentrate the whole time when you’re up there looking like this,” he answers calmly, softly sucking the skin under her earlobe.

She almost rolls her eyes at this line but the feel of his body pressing up against hers makes it difficult to do so. “If they want that grade, they’re going to have to,” she says instead, tugging at the bottom of his hoodie. “Take this off,” she whispers, running her hands up to his shoulders and slipping it off.

He pulls away slightly. “What else can they do for a grade?”

She grins. “What can they do…” Hooking her fingers through the belt loops on his jeans, she pulls herself closer. 

“... or what can you do?” 

Being a famous person, presumably, is fraught with the possibility of scrutiny and inappropriate invasion of privacy. Namjoon seems to be an unwilling expert at it, knowing the ins and outs of using disguises, fake names, timed outings and secret exits. 

Being with a famous person, at least for Kaya, is a black box. It sounds dangerous and mysterious, like the depths of Tartarus with the sounds of cameras clicking echoing from inside it. She doesn’t do well with not knowing, but this is one area where she’s restrained herself from Googling more than she should, for she knows the kind of stories she’s bound to stumble across. 

In a somewhat insane attempt to cope, she’d convinced herself that as long she doesn’t see them, there’s a chance her mind is exaggerating and they don’t exist at all, like Schroedinger’s paparazzi. She hates the phrase, doesn’t believe in it - but Ignorance is bliss seems to be the safest option in this case, letting Namjoon take the lead when it comes to navigating a relationship in secret.

A good thing that’s come out of it? The desire to take advantage of every situation that presents itself, even at the most inopportune moments.

The last time Kaya had been in Seoul, she’d made a calculated decision to ask Hoseok to sneak her into the Big Hit building so she could find Namjoon in his studio. 

“With respect, Hobi,” she’d said carefully on the phone, biting her lip, when he’d asked her curiously why she wanted to do this, “don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to?”

It had taken Hoseok a full minute to understand what she might be referring to, during which time she wished very much that Yoongi wasn’t out of town at this time. Still, Hoseok had been kind enough to help her out and she’d smoothly made her way inside and knocked on her boyfriend’s studio, hoping the lace wouldn’t start chafing before it could be taken off.

To her horror, Namjoon hadn’t been alone. His eyes had widened in shock and she’d been ready to turn around and run, but whoever it was with him had frowned and pointed at her, asking Namjoon something in Korean.

Namjoon had stuttered out a response, tacking on “an intern” at the end in English, she knew, for her benefit. There had been some conversation after that which Kaya could make no sense of, following which Namjoon had handed her a folder filled with papers and a pendrive, apparently waving her away.

Fortunately, his companion had also left then, leaving only Namjoon and the intern in the studio.

“I’m sorry,” he’d said instantly, seeming a little confused, “but, what are you…”

“Obviously, since I’m an intern here,” she’d begun wryly, “I am doing my job. I’m… interning.”

“M-hm.”

There had been a moment where they’d met each other’s eyes and it occurred to Kaya that her surprise visit could unearth more than just a quickie in his studio. 

“Anything else you need?” Namjoon had asked after a moment, taking a seat in his chair, elbows resting on his thighs and feet flat on the ground.

He was playing along. Kaya’s heart had raced in excitement and she’d tried to suppress her smile. “I’ve always admired your work,” she’d ventured, feeling just the tiniest bit ridiculous. But she’d tried to push the thought out of her mind and stay committed to the bit. “Could you teach me something?”

Namjoon hadn’t responded for a moment and she’d cringed, hoping it hadn’t gone from sexy surprise to average porno in three seconds straight. But then he’d cleared his throat and gestured for her to come closer. “Sure. I can teach you.”

Kaya had walked over and once she’d reached him, pretended to look around the studio. “Um… there’s no other place to sit,” she’d said, ignoring the four seater sofa and armchair. “From where I can see the monitor,” she’d added quickly.

He’d nodded thoughtfully and simply leaned back in the chair, gazing up at her calmly. Even sitting down, he was almost her height, torso long and broad, jeans stretching over his thighs and making his lap look most inviting.

“Have a seat.”

Her toes had curled inside her shoes and she’d nodded mutely, carefully resting on his knee while his hands lightly guided her hips. The slightest touch made her heart palpitate, as though sitting on his lap wasn’t one of the most natural parts of her days with him.

“Are you comfortable?” he’d asked.

Kaya had nodded. “Yeah. I mean,” she’d shrugged, going where her inspiration took her, “my boyfriend won’t like it, though.”

She’d felt him stir then, just a bit, underneath her. The next moment, he’d leaned forward so his chest was touching her back and his nose brushed her hair. 

“Jackpot,” he’d whispered.

Kaya had only gone over with the intention of surprising her boyfriend during a busy week, maybe making out for a while like they had in his home studio years ago, maybe sneaking out to go grab a coffee. Unearthing a rudimentary fantasy that neither of them knew existed had not been part of the plan, but they’d rolled with it to achieve vastly satisfying results.

Now, Kaya feels similar stirrings low and deep in her abdomen, the same impulse in response to how intensely Namjoon is gazing at her, almost amused, but mostly hopeful - and this time, on her turf.

“I’m sure I can offer you something in return,” he suggests after a moment.

She raises an eyebrow, trying to ignore the leap in her chest. “Are you bribing me for a grade?”

“I’m bribing you really well for a grade,” he corrects her, reaching for her hips and gently squeezing her arse. “Fuck, that’s tight,” he mutters, his eyes falling to her skirt.

Kaya gasps, feeling her core tingle suddenly. “So far, you’re only teasing me for a grade,” she retorts, unable to keep the annoyance out of her voice. 

Namjoon grins, dimple popping and eyes darkening. Without another word, he lowers his head to kiss her again, slipping his tongue into her mouth instantly. He squeezes her arse again before bringing his hands up higher, his fingers tightening on every curve and quietly grunting in pleasure when he reaches her chest. 

“Have I mentioned how much I love this top?” he murmurs against her lips, squeezing her left breast and swallowing her sigh. “It makes your boobs look so sexy. I couldn’t look away the whole time,” he adds quietly, running his thumb over her nipple. Even through her bra, he can feel it hard and straining against the fabric.

“I can take it off,” she offers, struggling to keep her legs pressed together and her wits about her amidst his body up against hers. She fumbles in the chiffon ruffles for the string and tugs at it, loosening the top and feeling the tops of her breasts exposed to the cool air conditioner. She moves to take it off but he stops her.

“Keep it on,” he says, catching her wrist and bringing it down. “It’s too pretty to take off.” His lips move down her jaw to her neck, cupping her breast and thumbing her nipple again. 

Kaya finds herself torn between regretting and being glad that she isn’t wearing a padded bra today. She lets out a soft sigh as he thumbs it again, his hair brushing her neck as she drops her head back slightly. His lips move lower, sucking a mark above the hem of her bra and she waits eagerly for him to pull down her top, knowing he’ll take his time.

He never does, though, straightening up as his hands smoothly moving down her chest and to her hips.

“I hate you,” she groans softly, her heart fluttering at his chuckle next to her ear.

Namjoon reaches down and pulls her skirt up her thighs until he can slide his hand in between her legs. He places his palm against her cunt and squeezes it, feeling her soaked through her underwear. “No, you don’t,” he murmurs, swallowing her gasp.

He rubs her through her underwear, his palm at her clit and his fingers right at her entrance. Kaya’s hands fall backwards to land on the table, supporting her as her knees feel weaker by the second. Namjoon holds her to him, though, his other hand on her arse as he presses her into his palm.

“Take it off, take it off,” she whines, dropping her head on his shoulder and grabbing his forearm for support. She breathes a sigh of relief as he silently tugs her underwear down, feeling the fabric fall down her legs just before he resumes his position: his palm rough against her clit and his fingers slowly sliding inside her walls.

“How close are you?” he asks against her lips, his tongue teasing hers.

“So - so fucking -” She breaks off into a moan as he moves his hand in a circular motion, giving her exactly the friction she so desperately needs. “Yes, yes…”

Namjoon pulls her closer as she climaxes, kissing her exposed neck and holding her as she screws her eyes shut, breathing heavily as she comes down from her high. 

“Shit,” she whispers, eyes fluttering open after a few moments when she feels his hands slide off her. “That was - that was - wait, what are you doing?”

He simply raises an eyebrow as he unbuckles his belt and unbuttons his jeans, his erection straining through the material of his boxers. “What do you think?” he asks, wrapping an arm around her waist and hitching her up on the table. “I’m earning my grade.”

Kaya laughs breathlessly, her heart racing at his strength and the desire in his eyes. “You know this is my office, right?” she tells him as he gently spreads her legs and comes to stand in between them. “I work here.”

“And I work in my studio,” he replies, lowering his head to kiss her. “Didn’t mean I couldn’t take a break.”

It’s true, she agrees privately, kissing him back. The intern bit had gone on only for a few minutes before she’d felt Namjoon’s hand come up from behind her and slide in between her thighs, palming her until she’d silently unbuttoned her jeans in response. He’d fingered her there, too, muttering soothingly that her boyfriend would never find out - that, as his other hand reached up her top to squeeze her breast, her secret was safe with him.

His mouth is on her clit now, sucking softly at the swollen nub. The thought of him on her knees for her, here, in her office, only gets her wet again. His lips, soft and ample, glide through her folds as he holds her legs apart, hands gentle but firm on her thighs.

“God, I want you so bad,” he mutters, standing back up and wiping his mouth. Kaya tugs him closer by the t-shirt, kissing him while he lowers his boxers until she feels his tip on the inside of her thigh. She whimpers in anticipation into his mouth, their lips separating but brushing against each other as he eases himself inside her.

“Yes - oh, God…” 

Namjoon feels so big, so thick inside her that she doesn’t even register when he starts moving, his groan low and throaty. She leans back slightly, resting her elbows back on the table so he can get a better angle as he keeps going, his arm tight around her waist.

“Fuck, you feel amazing, baby,” he murmurs at her neck, his voice reverberating through her bones. His lips trail down her collarbone, to her breasts, partially uncovered and moving in rhythm with every whimper she makes. He grabs her other thigh, fucking her harder with each thrust.

“How am I doing?” he asks after a few moments, pulling her up to kiss her again.

“What?” she answers absently, her hands reaching for his neck as she kisses him back. One of her hands glides through his hair and he grunts at the feel of her nails against his scalp.

“How am I doing?” he repeats pulling away slightly and picking up the speed. “Grade-wise?”

“Oh.” She chuckles, pulling playfully at his hair. He suspects she can barely focus on what he’s saying until she meets his eyes, her lips an inch away from his. “B-minus,” she murmurs, her body still moving from the intensity of his thrusts but her gaze steady.

Namjoon’s chest leaps. “Have to fix that,” he mutters, pulling out abruptly. Ignoring her momentary gasp, he picks her up to put her back down on the floor, before holding her shoulders and turning her around until she’s facing the table. She falls forward on her hands in surprise, feeling him sweep her long hair over one shoulder.

He kisses the other shoulder softly, one arm coming protectively around her waist. “Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?” he whispers clearly next to her ear, kissing her cheek tenderly.

Kaya nods, feeling his arm tighten around her and knowing the moment has passed. She bends forward a bit more as he enters her, trying to suppress her groan so it doesn’t carry out of the room but it’s too difficult. He feels incredible; the new angle allows him to hit every nerve ending he couldn’t reach before and he begins moving again, sliding smoothly in and out of her, his low grunts in sync with his movements.

Back then, in his studio, Kaya had been the one to change the tone, turning around on his lap and straddling him on his chair. Ground-breaking music swept aside, she’d rode him in the Big Hit building until they’d both cum together for the first time that afternoon. The walls were soundproof and there had been no fear of being heard; the sounds Namjoon had elicited from her less than hour later when they’d fucked on his couch had been unbelievable, leaving her with legs too shaky to walk herself out after that.

Now, in a quieter work environment, the air is filled with sounds of pleasure; her whimpers increasing in frequency and the soft sounds of skin on skin escaping in between. Namjoon’s hands are tight on her hips, holding her steady as he pounds into her. 

Kaya has no opportunity to warn him when she cums again, finally letting herself moan out loud as he hits the spot and she feels the the heat travel from her core to the rest of her body. She shudders and falls forward on her hands, trying to catch her breath as Namjoon keeps going, faster now, his grip on her hips tightening.

“Fuck, baby, I’m gonna cum…” Namjoon’s thrusts are harder, his hips slamming against her until he pushes forward with a muffled groan against her shoulder, followed by two more slower thrusts, emptying himself inside her. As he pulls out slowly, Kaya feels his seed drip down her legs; cringing slightly, she reaches for the box of tissues at the corner of her desk and wipes herself down as Namjoon pulls up his jeans and zips them up.

“Come here,” he murmurs, turning her around gently and capturing her lips in a kiss before she has a chance to respond. It’s less desperate this time, more loving. Kaya, still trying to breathe normally, kisses him back but pulls away quickly.

“I need a moment,” she says tiredly, leaning back against the desk and panting. He chuckles and nods, wrapping his arms around her waist and lowering his head to her shoulder.

“How about now?” Namjoon murmurs against her skin, stroking her back and pressing soft, lingering kisses to her neck. “Did I do better? Oh, hang on.” He notices something on the floor and kneels down.

Kaya’s forehead clears when she remembers. “Oh. I guess you talked yourself into an A,” she ventures, looking down when he taps her leg. It’s her underwear on the floor; a blush creeping up her neck, she awkwardly steps into it, her hands on his shoulders for support. He pulls it up her legs and she adjusts her skirt over it, biting her lip as he stands up again.

“Okay, an A plus,” she allows, giggling as he pulls her back into his arms.

He winks. “I thought so. Although, I really feel like I have to clear this up,” he adds, running a hand through his hair and taking a deep breath. “I was… I was a really good student. A grea student, in fact. I studied really hard and never skipped a class, so I never actually needed to go the extra mile or do anything that -”

Kaya laughs, pushing him away playfully and stepping away from the desk. “I never doubted you, honey. Don’t worry,” she reassures him, rifling through a stack of test papers before stopping. “I still have a quick meeting with Adam about the next class… do you want to wait? Or I can meet you at home?”

Namjoon frowns slightly before shrugging. “I can wait.”

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah.” He nods, linking his fingers with hers. “I’ll take you out to dinner after, at that place by the river,” he adds, tugging slightly and kissing her cheek.

Kaya chuckles. “You love that place. Alright, I’ll be back in about half an hour, I think.” With a massive effort, she steps away from him and grabs her bag.

“Alright, love you. Oh, wait -” He reaches forward and adjusts the sleeve of her top, covering the corner of a hickey on her chest. “There.”

“Stop it, you already got the grade you wanted,” she teases, walking backwards.

Namjoon grins. “Don’t let him keep you too long,” he warns her as she leaves, “or I might have to come find you and ask for another grade.”

—

Thank you for reading. Don't forget to drop a review :)

[darkmaga-returns]

Keep swallowing the Presstitute bullshit that prices are down because Israel didn't strike Iranian energy infrastructure

Oct 29, 2024

NOTE TO READERS: This article and dozens of others was published in this week’s issue of The Trends Journal. Subscribe here for the world’s top trend forecasting and news analysis. TRENDSJOURNAL.COM

As we have long noted, there is absolutely no connection between Wall Street and Main Street.

They are two different worlds.

The equity markets keep going up as most of the global economy goes down.

Need more proof?

Just take a look at oil prices.

Feeling the pain of declining economic growth, tanking 6 percent on Monday, U.S. crude oil prices had their worst day in more than two years.

Why did oil prices sharply fall? The bullshit that the mainstream media sold for the selloff was that Israel did not bomb Iranian oil facilities when it launched its missile strike this past weekend.

Again, total crap mainstream media Presstitute bullshit. This past April, West Texas Intermediate was selling at nearly $87 per barrel. By September, it fell to $65.75 per barrel. Why did the prices fall? It had nothing to do with the Israel War. It had to do with declining world economic growth... especially in China.

According to a September report from the International Energy Agency:

·       Global oil demand growth continues to decelerate, with reported 1H24 gains of 800 kb/d y-o-y the lowest since 2020. The chief driver of this downturn is a rapidly slowing China, where consumption contracted y-o-y for a fourth straight month in July, by 280 kb/d. Average annual gains of 900 kb/d in 2024, compared to 2.1 mb/d last year, will take demand to almost 103 mb/d. An increase of 950 kb/d in 2025 will be equally subdued. ·      Much weaker than expected Chinese runs in July and a further deterioration in margins continue to weigh on the forecast. Cracking margins briefly turned negative in Europe and Singapore. US Gulf Coast cracking margins are more resilient, but they have nevertheless fallen by two-thirds versus year-ago levels. ·   

[imperialchem]

The Economic Impact of Paraffin Dispersant Exports:  A Global Perspective

In the modern oil and gas industry, paraffin or wax deposition has emerged as a significant challenge.  Paraffin, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon, can solidify in pipelines, tanks, and other equipment, leading to blockages that disrupt production and transportation.  The answer to this growing problem lies in the development and export of wax or paraffin dispersants, chemicals designed to mitigate wax build-up by keeping the wax particles suspended in oil.

India has established itself as a key player in the production and export of wax or paraffin dispersants, supplying global markets with these critical chemicals.  With the growing demand for oil, especially in emerging economies, the need for these dispersants continues to rise.  This blog explores the economic impact of paraffin dispersant exports, with a focus on India’s role as a key manufacturer, exporter, and supplier in the global market.

Understanding the Role of Paraffin Dispersants in the Oil and Gas Industry

Wax build-up in pipelines and storage tanks is a costly and time-consuming issue for oil producers worldwide.  Paraffin dispersants, also known as wax dispersants, are chemicals that prevent the solidification of paraffin by dispersing it into smaller particles, allowing it to flow with the crude oil.  This significantly reduces the risk of blockages in pipelines, maintains efficient flow, and ensures smoother operations in oilfields.

The demand for paraffin dispersants has increased over the past decade due to the global expansion of oil production, especially in regions with colder climates where paraffin solidification is more likely to occur.  As oil exploration and production continue to grow globally, especially in emerging economies like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, the need for reliable paraffin dispersants will only increase.

India:  A Leading Wax / Paraffin Dispersant Manufacturer

India has become a major hub for the production of wax dispersants.  As a wax dispersant manufacturer in India, the country is home to several companies that specialize in producing high-quality paraffin dispersants.  These companies have invested heavily in research and development to create efficient and eco-friendly dispersants that meet global standards.

Indian manufacturers benefit from a robust chemical production infrastructure and access to raw materials, making them competitive on the global stage.  The strategic geographic location of India also allows for easy access to key markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where oil production is booming.  Companies like Imperial Oilfield Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. have emerged as leaders in the production and export of wax dispersants, driving economic growth through international trade.

The Growing Importance of Paraffin Dispersant Exports

As a leading wax dispersant exporter in India, the country plays a critical role in supplying global markets with the chemicals necessary to ensure the smooth operation of oil and gas infrastructure.  The export of paraffin dispersants contributes significantly to India’s foreign exchange earnings, supporting the nation’s economy and positioning it as a key player in the global oil and gas supply chain.

India’s wax dispersant exports have found markets in oil-producing countries across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.  These regions are experiencing rapid growth in oil exploration and production, leading to an increased demand for chemicals that can enhance operational efficiency.  By providing high-quality dispersants at competitive prices, India has established itself as a trusted supplier on the global stage.

Economic Impact of Wax Dispersant Exports on India’s Economy

The economic impact of paraffin dispersant exports on India’s economy is multifaceted.  The growth of this industry has created jobs, generated foreign exchange, and driven innovation in the chemical sector.  Some key impacts include:

Job Creation:  The manufacturing and export of paraffin dispersants have led to job creation in both the chemical production sector and related industries, such as logistics and transportation.  This has helped boost local economies, particularly in regions where manufacturing facilities are located.

Foreign Exchange Earnings:  As a major wax dispersant exporter in India, the country generates significant foreign exchange earnings.  These earnings contribute to the overall economic stability of the nation, supporting investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Technological Advancements:  The increasing demand for high-quality dispersants has encouraged Indian manufacturers to invest in research and development.  This has led to innovations in the production of eco-friendly dispersants, enhancing the competitiveness of Indian companies on the global stage.

Trade Relationships:  Exporting paraffin dispersants has strengthened India’s trade relationships with oil-producing nations.  These relationships open doors to further collaboration and trade opportunities, particularly in related sectors such as oilfield services and equipment.

Diversification of the Economy:  The growth of the paraffin dispersant industry helps diversify India’s economy.  As the country becomes less reliant on traditional exports like textiles and agriculture, it builds a more resilient economy capable of weathering global economic fluctuations.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Wax Dispersant Market

While the global demand for paraffin dispersants is on the rise, there are also challenges that manufacturers and exporters face.  These include fluctuating oil prices, environmental regulations, and competition from other global suppliers.

Fluctuating Oil Prices:  The price of oil is a major factor influencing the demand for paraffin dispersants.  When oil prices drop, oil producers may cut back on production, leading to reduced demand for dispersants.  However, when prices rise, production increases, driving up the need for dispersants.  Indian manufacturers must be agile and responsive to these market fluctuations to remain competitive.

Environmental Regulations:  With increasing global concern about the environmental impact of chemicals used in the oil industry, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly dispersants.  Indian manufacturers are investing in the development of biodegradable dispersants to meet these regulatory demands.  This presents an opportunity for India to position itself as a leader in the production of environmentally sustainable chemicals.

Competition from Other Suppliers:  As a wax dispersant supplier in India, Indian companies face competition from manufacturers in other countries, particularly those in the United States, China, and Europe.  To maintain their competitive edge, Indian exporters must continue to focus on quality, cost-efficiency, and customer service.

The Future of India’s Paraffin Dispersant Exports

The future looks bright for India’s paraffin dispersant export industry.  As oil production continues to expand globally, especially in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, the demand for dispersants will rise.  Indian manufacturers are well-positioned to meet this demand, thanks to their competitive pricing, innovative solutions, and established trade relationships.

In addition, India’s focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly dispersants will allow the country to capture a growing segment of the market that prioritizes eco-conscious products.  By staying ahead of global trends and continuing to invest in research and development, Indian companies can ensure long-term success in the global wax dispersant market.

Conclusion

India’s role as a wax dispersant manufacturer in India, exporter, and supplier is having a significant economic impact both domestically and globally.  The country’s ability to produce high-quality paraffin dispersants at competitive prices has positioned it as a trusted supplier in key oil-producing regions.  As the global demand for these chemicals continues to grow, India stands to benefit economically from its leadership in this critical sector.

From job creation to foreign exchange earnings, the export of paraffin dispersants is a vital part of India’s economic landscape.  By continuing to innovate and meet the demands of the global market, Indian manufacturers will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the world’s oil and gas infrastructure.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Petrobras' new CEO upholds current pricing policy

The new CEO of Brazil's State-run oil company Petrobras Monday defended during a press conference the company's current pricing policies to preserve domestic market stability, Agência Brasil reported. Magda Chambriard had been on her post three days after a reshuffle ordered by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

“Petrobras has always worked in line with international price trends. Sometimes a little higher, sometimes a little lower. What is highly undesirable is that you bring price instability to Brazilian society every day. Petrobras has always ensured this stability,” Chambriard said.

“Recently, we had a scenario in which the prices of gasoline, diesel, and derivatives in general were extremely high. President Lula, in his election campaign, promised to lower prices. And how has this been done? Now, is it fair to charge the same price for a product that I don't import as for a product on the international market that pays for freight, insurance, import risk, and importer earnings? All of this is present in a great formulation that has made the price of fuel more Brazilian,” she added.

Petrobras' current fuel pricing policy was adopted in May last year and represented the end of the International Parity Price (PPI), which had been in place for more than six years. Since 2016, prices charged domestically were linked to the international market based on the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil, which is calculated in US dollars. This practice led to the distribution of record dividends to the company's shareholders. In the current model, Petrobras does not stop taking the international market into account but incorporates references from the domestic market, it was explained.

Continue reading.

[alisaint]

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in Cuba in recent days, furious over the lack of food and electricity. With chants of "hunger" and "we want food," the demonstrations have centered in Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-biggest city, and surrounding towns in the southeastern area of the island. They are the biggest anti-government protests since 2021, when thousands of Cubans took to the streets, triggering a massive crackdown by the state. Since then, the economic situation has deteriorated further, and analysts say the crisis is the worst in at least three decades. Claribel, 58, a resident of Santiago, says hardly a day goes by when there aren't at least five hours of power outages. Food is in such short supply that her 2-year-old great-nephew is being fed juice instead of milk. Public transportation has dried up because of a lack of fuel. "The situation here is horrible," Claribel says. "To live in Cuba is a tragedy." NPR is withholding her last name for her safety. Cuba's economy began tanking during the pandemic, when international tourism plummeted and inflation soared. During that same period, former President Donald Trump imposed a range of sanctions on Cuba after re-designating the country a "state sponsor of terrorism." But conditions in the country have rapidly spiraled in recent months, especially in poorer regions outside of the capital of Havana. Fuel prices have increased five-fold since the beginning of March. The cost of public transportation has also soared, to the extent there is any. The Cuban government suspended all sports tournaments because of a lack of transportation. Blackouts have become a constant. The communist government — which uses a rationing system to provide a certain amount of food per household — has even started limiting its allocations of bread to children and pregnant women. Some analysts say conditions are worse than the economic crisis that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a time known as the Special Period. "I was a kid but I recall that during the Special Period we got a ration of bread daily. Every Cuban. Not this time," says Ricardo Torres, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington, D.C. He says Cuba's problems, from food shortages to power outages, are the result of the country's massive financial deficit and lack of money to pay for imports. Dilapidated power plants have shut down and there's not enough fuel to power those still working. "Around 95% of Cuba's electricity is produced by power plants that burn oil. Fuel oil, diesel, even crude oil. So if you don't have the fuel, you cannot operate the plants," Torres says. In other words, he says, there's "no fuel, no electricity."

For more than two decades, Cuba relied on oil-rich Venezuela — a political ally — for crude and fuel in exchange for sending doctors and school teachers to the South American country. But as Venezuela's oil production plummeted in recent years, so did its generosity toward Cuba. Russia is now believed to be sending a large oil tanker to help the island amid the shortage, according to news reports citing a researcher at University of Texas who closely tracks shipping to Cuba. Cuba's president said in a statement his government will address protesters' concerns, but also denounced "enemies of the revolution" for trying to destabilize the country and accused the U.S. of stoking the protests. A spokesperson for the Cuban government blamed the economic crisis on decades-old U.S. sanctions that have complicated the island's purchase of fuel and food. That's partially true, says Johanna Cilano Pelaez, a researcher with Amnesty International. "But it's irresponsible to blame U.S. sanctions alone for the state of the Cuban economy," she says. For now, the Cuban government's response to the protests has been relatively subdued compared to 2021, when hundreds of demonstrators were arrested and some sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. While authorities have detained some protesters in recent days, they have also given out extra rice, milk and sugar in an effort to appease the growing outcry. In Santiago de Cuba, Claribel says Cubans' anger and frustration are beginning to outweigh their fear of government retaliation. "The people aren't going to back down," Claribel says. "If there hadn't been protests, we would still be without rice and chicken." When she heads out to demonstrate, she plans to bring her grandchildren. "They can't touch the children," she says.

[windbreakblog]

Foods and Fuel Sources of Windbreak

Hello!!! I wanted to make a comprehensive list of popular foods ranked by class, from lowest to highest, just to have it here for future reference. This is specifically talking about foods that keep the energy-source alive and active, which includes fire, steam engines, nuclear reactors, and electricity. This does not cover metal-based foods used for growth. That will be covered and explained later.

Low-Class (Hearthfire robots)

Tar Dirt Tar dirt is a mixture of tar and other materials, like metal shavings, dirt or sand. The mixture is made to make consuming it easier, as tar is extremely sticky and hard to swallow on its own. It is rather effective, but it burns extremely dirty. It's the lowest of the low when it comes to poverty foods, and those who eat it for long periods of time often get their smoke vents so black and caked in soot and tar residue it can eventually clog vents if left to fester long enough. When vents are clogged, the internal fire (sometimes called a "hearth") of a robot will suffocate itself with its own smoke. This can be lethal without proper medical help, which the impoverished often don't receive.

Pitch Pitch is another extremely dirty-burning fuel source, but it's slightly less degrading to one's health than tar dirt. Most of these materials like tar, pitch, and crude oil are byproducts of coal processing, like in the making of coke or coal gas. These are extremely labor-intensive and low-paying, so in order to stay alive, historically, coal processors would take the flammable waste products of their trade and use it as food.

Sulphur (powdered) Sulphur is a very flammable material in powdered form, and burns a unique blue flame, but it comes at the price of dreaded rotten-egg breath. The stench it carries is bound to make the consumer unpopular, but it isn't always inherently dangerous in its pure form*. Some robots even use sulphur almost exclusively for fuel, though it is to be noted that they are specialized in hyperthermic fuels. However, Sulphur its pure form is rarely being consumed by the average robot. The dangers of Sulphur come mainly from what it's cut with. Pure Sulphur is hard to come by and rather expensive for those not specialized. But mixing it with other materials, such as stone dust, magnesium powder, etc. cheapens the manufacturing process, and can cause a litany of hazards. In general, it is ill-advised to consume anything non-metallic and non-flammable, as when nonflammable material is burned by hearthfire robots it tends to either stick to the bottom of the Hearth-chamber or clog up the vents. In extreme cases, both of these occurrences can kill by smothering one's hearth or reacting badly to the fire. * Sulphur, even pure Sulphur, is extremely dangerous to robots not suited to handle extreme heat. Burning it creates an extreme exothermic reaction that can gravely damage naturally lower-temperature robots, so if your hearth is low-burning or you have a hearth-related thermoregulation disorder, it is very dangerous to use this fuel. Sulphur shares many dangers with White Phosphorus, which burns at extremely high temperatures and is very combustible when in contact with oxygen or certain metals. If a robot is not specialized to process unstable materials like Sulphur and Phosphorus, it is strongly advised to avoid them.

Coal Gas Coal gas is another byproduct of coking and other coal processes. This one is a bit different, as it isn't as actively damaging to the vents of a robot as pitch or tar, so it isn't as unhealthy. But using coal gas as a fuel source is oftentimes not very filling, and doesn't really give the impression of having eaten a good meal. for this reason, it isn't very popular outside of necessity.

Coal Coal is still considered a "poor" food by most outside of the lower districts, but this isn't just for those that are most desperate. Coal is a major fuel source in the iron district, and sometimes in lower parts of the stone district, too. In those lower circles, it's considered a rather normal food, and only has connotations of poverty in higher levels. Most super poverty-stricken robots, like those who work in coal processing mentioned above, or even coal miners for that matter, rarely if ever get to eat coal. The coal that they are employed to handle is a product that does not belong to the workers who gather it, so personal use of it is considered stealing, and is a punishable offense.

Moonshine (homemade ethanol products) Ethanol itself is a very sought-after fuel, normally popular in the middle and higher classes, like the upper stone district and lower ember district. It's very clean-burning, easy to consume, fizzy and pleasant, though overconsumption of highly concentrated alcohols are considered mind-altering and are banned in many places. Alcohols with a concentration more than 60-70% are illegal and dangerous, and can even be addictive. The creation of any type of alcohol is banned in the Iron district, because it's basically copyrighted by the companies that do create and sell it. Nonprofessional creation of booze can also be dangerous in some cases, for instance, if there is too much water it can douse your hearth and kill you. If the concentration of alcohol is too high, it can cause your fire to burn itself out or cause other permanent damage to your hearth/body. non-authorized creation of booze for personal use/distribution anywhere is banned, because the government of Windbreak cannot tax it like it can commercial trade. But brand-name alcohol, being an efficient, clean-burning and desirable fuel, is expensive to get compared to something like coal, so oftentimes illegal manufacturing is practiced anyways. It's better than tar, at least. This bootlegging is often done in basements, cellars, or anywhere large enough for several booze-filled barrels to fit into. Moonshine is a common alcohol to make, but often the materials used in fermenting doesn't matter much. Any organic material will do, which often consists of any kind of plant that manages to grow in the iron district. This has caused major problems for the already struggling flora there. Sometimes, in high-profile cases, criminal organizations with ways of moving between levels will purchase, steal or poach sugar and plant material from upper districts and supply it to illegal ironclad distilleries for a cut of the profits.

Gasoline/Petrol The most common fuel source for Ironclads. This is cheap to get, legal, and commonplace. It is a fossil fuel, and does not burn the cleanest, but it does not cause many issues if regular maintenance to the vents and general body is practiced. This is a low-risk fuel, so is unlikely to cause problems for the average Hearthfire robot. (part 2 coming soon)

[trustednewstribune]

Saudi Arabia dives into Ukraine war peace push with Jeddah talks

India has also confirmed its attendance in Jeddah, describing the move as in line "with our longstanding position" that "dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward."

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia was set to host talks on the Ukraine war on Saturday in the latest flexing of its diplomatic muscle, though expectations are mild for what the gathering might achieve.

The meeting of national security advisers and other officials in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah underscores Riyadh's "readiness to exert its good offices to contribute to reaching a solution that will result in permanent peace," the official Saudi Press Agency said Friday.

Invitations were sent to around 30 countries, Russia not among them, according to diplomats familiar with the preparations. The SPA report said only that "a number of countries" would attend.

It follows Ukraine-organised talks in Copenhagen in June that were designed to be informal and did not yield an official statement.

Instead, diplomats said the sessions were intended to engage a range of countries in debates about a path towards peace, notably members of the BRICS bloc with Russia that have adopted a more neutral stance on the war in contrast to Western powers.

Speaking on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the wide range of countries represented in the Jeddah talks, including developing countries that have been hit hard by the surge in food prices triggered by the war.

"This is very important because, on issues such as food security, the fate of millions of people in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world directly depends on how fast the world moves to implement the peace formula," he said.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude exporter which works closely with Russia on oil policy, has touted its ties to both sides and positioned itself as a possible mediator in the war, now nearly a year and a half old.

"In hosting the summit, Saudi Arabia wants to reinforce its bid to become a global middle power with the ability to mediate conflicts while asking us to forget some of its failed strategies and actions of the past, like its Yemen intervention or the murder of Jamal Khashoggi," said Joost Hiltermann, Middle East programme director for the International Crisis Group.

The 2018 slaying of Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist for The Washington Post, by Saudi agents in Turkey once threatened to isolate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler. But the energy crisis produced by the Ukraine war elevated Saudi Arabia's global importance, helping to facilitate his rehabilitation.

Moving forward Riyadh "wants to be in the company of an India or a Brazil, because only as a club can these middle powers hope to have an impact on the world stage," Hiltermann added.

"Whether they will be able to agree on all things, such as the Ukraine war, is a big question."

'Balancing'

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, failing in its attempt to take Kyiv but seizing swathes of territory that Western-backed Ukrainian troops are fighting to recapture.

Beijing, which says it is a neutral party in the conflict but has been criticised by Western capitals for refusing to condemn Moscow, announced on Friday it would participate in the Jeddah talks. "China is willing to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis," said foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

India has also confirmed its attendance in Jeddah, describing the move as in line "with our longstanding position" that "dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward."

South Africa said it too will take part.

Saudi Arabia has backed UN Security Council resolutions denouncing Russia's invasion as well as its unilateral annexation of territory in eastern Ukraine.

Yet last year, Washington criticised oil production cuts approved in October, saying they amounted to "aligning with Russia" in the war.

This May, the kingdom hosted Zelensky at an Arab summit in Jeddah, where he accused some Arab leaders of turning "a blind eye" to the horrors of Russia's invasion.

In sum, Riyadh has adopted a "classic balancing strategy" that could soften Russia's response to this weekend's summit, said Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi politics at the University of Birmingham.

"They're working with the Russians on several files, so I guess Russia will deem such an initiative if not totally favourable then not unacceptable as well."

[mariacallous]

While Ukraine’s surprise combined-arms incursion into the Russian oblast of Kursk gets all the headlines, Kyiv continues to carry out a parallel, deep-strike operation to target Russian vulnerabilities, with continued attacks on oil refineries and fuel depots behind the front lines.

A massive tank farm in Proletarsk, a city in Russia’s Rostov region, has been burning uncontrollably for four days after Ukrainian drones slammed into 70-odd tanks full of diesel and gasoline; by some estimates, the fire could be incinerating as much as $200 million worth of Russian fuel. Overnight on Tuesday, Ukraine launched one of its biggest attacks yet on Moscow, and although most of those drones and missiles were shot down, Ukraine did seem to start another conflagration at an oft-hit refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, also in Rostov.

So far this year, Ukraine says that it has successfully attacked more than 30 Russian oil installations, some deep inside Russia. The latest estimates are that about 17 percent of Russia’s (admittedly ample) oil-refining capacity has been damaged to some extent by the strikes. But more broadly, Russia continues to export huge volumes of oil and even a fair bit of natural gas, ensuring that oil revenues continue to fuel its war machine despite the odd million spent here and there to repair damaged crackers and condensers.

Ukraine’s pinprick assaults on Russia’s oil infrastructure, often answered with counter-battery Russian missiles aimed at vulnerable Ukrainian power plants, are part of the latest tit-for-tat energy battle in the longer-term, less violent energy war that the two countries have waged for years, especially over natural gas supplies and prices. 

In some ways, the energy fight is an adjunct to the fight on the battlefield. Ukraine’s ability to damage (even for short periods of time) Russian refineries and fuel depots is meant, in part, to undermine logistics for the Russian army, which continues to occupy large swaths of southern and eastern Ukraine. Blowing up expensive installations deep inside Russia is also a psychological boon for Ukraine, which has been largely on the back foot since early 2022. Russia’s systematic destruction of the Ukrainian electric power grid, meanwhile, is meant to undermine civilian morale and resilience ahead of winter.

The White House had initially warned Kyiv not to strike Russian oil installations, fearing Russian reprisals as well as an inconvenient spike in oil and gasoline prices ahead of the U.S. election, but Ukraine has plowed ahead regardless (just as it did with the Kursk incursion). 

The big question is: Do all the eye-grabbing explosions at refineries and fuel depots make much of a difference to Russia’s surprisingly resilient oil-based economy?

“The drones can cause economic damage an order of magnitude or higher than the cost of the drones themselves, and so yes, there is some economic damage and net benefit, cost-wise. But the damage done is brief and relatively easy to repair,” said Sergey Vakulenko, an energy expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. “Will it make drastic impacts on Russian oil revenues? Probably not. The drones cannot do what the sanctions were unable to achieve.” 

In some cases, Vakulenko said, the oil installations that Ukraine is targeting, chosen because they are within easy range of drones, may not be the critical marks that Kyiv imagines. Many of the older refineries in western Russia were built to take advantage of export customs loopholes that made it more beneficial to export barely refined oil products, even very low-quality ones, than to export regular crude. These aren’t the crown jewels, but the cracked zircons.

“The benefits of hitting those refineries may not be what the Ukrainians thought,” said Vakulenko, who was previously an oil executive at Russian and international companies. 

Like the Kursk operation, high-profile blows by Ukraine threaten to distort the view of what otherwise remains an unequal battle. If the war has come to the energy patch, it is because Russia—from nearly the beginning of the conflict—has targeted Ukrainian power installations as a deliberate part of its campaign to destroy civilian infrastructure. During the first year of the full-scale invasion, Russia targeted easy-to-hit structures, such as power transformers, that could disrupt electricity across Ukraine, especially in big cities. But that damage was relatively easy to repair, and Ukraine made it through the first winter in fairly good shape. 

At the beginning of this year, once Ukraine had homemade drones and missiles that could strike deep into Russia, thus neatly skirting both U.S. targeting prohibitions and leaky Russian air defenses, Kyiv began systematically hitting oil installations. 

In response, Moscow intensified its campaign against Ukraine’s power grid, this time using heavy missiles to go after harder-to-destroy and much-harder-to-repair power plants themselves. More than half of Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity has been blown up or seriously damaged, a huge problem heading into winter given the reliance of Ukraine’s urban heating system (and water supplies) on the power plants.

But that campaign peaked just before summer; since then, there has been a respite in the Russian vendetta against power plants. The aftershocks are still felt, though. This week, in addition to a small-scale Russian attack on power facilities just across the border in Sumy, Ukraine announced a return to rolling blackouts for many parts of the country—mostly due to increased peak power demand during the hot summer months, but clearly exacerbated by the loss of so much generation capacity, which is still a huge concern for Ukrainian officials and Western experts.

“We have not seen wide-scale attacks for six weeks or so. Russia may just be collecting missiles to attack later in the year, in October or so. As of now, there is no sign that weaponization of energy is weakening,” said Andrian Prokip, an energy expert at the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute in Kyiv.

Yet the fight over refineries and power plants is just part of an even broader energy war that has aspects both of the absurd and of the absurdly normal. 

Last week, after months of feverish speculation, conspiracy theories, and finger-pointing, reporting (and a German arrest warrant) emerged that seemed to put blame for the high-profile 2023 destruction of Russia’s no-longer-operational Nord Stream gas pipeline on a band of Ukrainian freelancers. 

Meanwhile, Russian natural gas continues to transit in pipes through war-torn Ukraine, headed for customers farther west in Austria, Slovakia, and Italy. Not even Ukraine’s cross-border grab of Sudzha, the pumping station for the last trans-Ukraine pipeline, has interrupted the (limited) flows of gas moving from one belligerent state through another. 

And then there are the nuclear power plants. Since early in the war, Russia has occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, in the south-central part of Ukraine. Since then, the International Atomic Energy Agency has periodically warned of concerns over the safety and security of the plant, which is now in shutdown but still potentially dangerous. Two weeks ago, a mysterious fire broke out at one of the cooling towers; a few days later, a drone explosion threatened the power supply to the facility. For years now, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of nuclear blackmail and brinkmanship over the plant. 

Once Ukraine leapt across the Russian border, Russian media immediately warned that Ukrainian forces were seeking to capture the Kursk nuclear power plant for an apparent atomic hostage swap; most recently, Russian defenders began digging trenches around the reactors.

“The Russians have used and will continue to use the precarious state of nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia for their own rhetorical and blackmail purposes. I suspect they may try to do the same in relation to the Kursk NPP,” said Darya Dolzikova, a research fellow of the Royal United Services Institute. 

“I see no indication that Ukraine is looking to attack the nuclear plant and the Ukrainian government has refuted any suggestions to that end,” she added. “So any Russian statements or actions to the contrary I take to be fear-mongering by Moscow.”

[kudkund]

TOP PETROCHEMICAL STOCKS IN INDIA

As Crude Oil has been in focus lately with prices of Brent Crude Oil Futures fluctuating, the world is paying special attention to oil, petroleum, and petroleum products. Companies related to petroleum and petroleum products are currently in focus. Thus, this would be an excellent opportunity to take trades in the stocks of these companies. This requires a basic understanding of the current scenario of crude oil and some background on what the company does so we can take positions based on oil price movements. In this blog, we will be discussing the top petrochemical stocks in India.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries projected robust increase in crude oil demand for 2023 in their Monthly Oil Market Report. The International Energy Agency also mentioned that they expect crude oil demand to rise next year. These positive demand outlooks bode well for petrochemical stocks and might lead to higher revenues for the companies and better earnings per share for shareholders.

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[nicklloydnow]

“Strained by the need to finance its war machine, the Russian government said on Tuesday that it posted a $47 billion budget deficit in 2022, which is the second-highest since the break up of the Soviet Union.

The budget gap reached 3.3 trillion rubles in 2022, or 2.3 percent of the size of the Russian economy, Anton Siluanov, the country’s finance minister, said during a government meeting on Tuesday.

Russia’s revenues increased by 2.8 trillion rubles in 2022, or $40 billion, but that was not enough to cover rapidly increasing expenditures, which skyrocketed by 6.4 trillion rubles, or $92 billion, officials said.

(…)

Still, the posted deficit for 2022 is second only in Russia’s post-Soviet history to the one reported for 2020, the year the coronavirus pandemic unfolded.

(…)

The Russian economy performed above expectations, however, buoyed by high commodity prices. And some sanctions, like a $60 a barrel cap on the price for Russian oil, were introduced later in the year, softening their effect on the economy.”

“Forty-six per cent of the 167 experts responding to the think-tank said Russia’s failure or break-up could happen in the next 10 years. In a separate question, 40 per cent pointed to Russia as a country they expected to break up for reasons including “revolution, civil war or political disintegration” over that time.

“Ukraine clearly highlights the possibility of internal problems for Russia, and the possibility that the war itself might have boomerang effects for not only its leadership, but for the country as a whole,” said Peter Engelke, the Atlantic Council’s deputy director of foresight who helped to design and interpret the survey.

Western officials say Russia has been significantly weakened by its invasion of Ukraine 11 months ago, including by sanctions and export controls. Economists believe Russia’s productive capacity is steadily degrading as a result of the punitive measures, pushing the country back decades.

(…)

The foreign policy experts also predicted some degree of American decline. While 71 per cent of those polled predicted the US would continue to be the world’s dominant military power by 2033, just 31 per cent believe that the US will be the number one diplomatic power and 33 per cent the pre-eminent economic one.”

“Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues fell 17% last month to their lowest level since before the war began, according to a study published Wednesday by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent think tank based in Finland that focuses on energy and pollution.

After the EU imposed new restrictions on Russian energy in December, Russia’s net energy export revenues declined €160 million ($172 million) a day. Russia continues to rake in huge amounts from its fossil fuel trade—around €640 million ($689 million) daily—but the study found that even stricter policies against Russian energy would deal a devastating blow to the country’s economy, and potentially weaken Putin’s ability to maintain his costly war in Ukraine.

(…)

As of Dec. 5, EU vessels can no longer transport Russian crude oil. The ban will be extended to all petroleum products on Feb. 5, which will slash Russia’s oil revenues by another €120 million a day, CREA estimated.

The sanctions have already dug deep into Russia’s oil revenues, as crude oil exports fell 12% in December while crude oil revenues fell by a whopping 32%, the study found. The decline comes as a massive blow to Putin, as oil was among his biggest cash cows at the beginning of the war, while fossil fuel revenues constituted the “financial bloodline for Putin’s war,” Svitlana Romanko, founder of Razom We Stand, an organization seeking a full embargo on Russian fossil fuels, said in a statement accompanying the CREA study.

A June study from CREA found that, of the ���93 billion in fossil fuel revenues Russia collected during the first 100 days of the war, half came from crude oil and around two-thirds from all oil products.

(…)

Last month, the EU imposed a price cap on Russian oil at $60 a barrel thereby freezing transactions for Russian oil in markets covered by the cap at any price over that limit. The price cap has so far helped limit Russian oil revenues, the CREA study found, but the authors added that lowering the cap to $25 to $35 a barrel would create even more problems for Russia, while still keeping prices above what it costs to produce and transport Russian oil.”

[darkmaga-returns]

Among the many promises and commitments that he has made during his ongoing transition period, President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to pull United States support for the World Health Organization and cancel its commitments related to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. If a new report issued this week by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and incoming chairman Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), is any guide, Trump perhaps should add continuing US support for the International Energy Agency to his growing list of cancellation opportunities.

“French President Macron’s observation that IEA has become the ‘armed wing for implementing the Paris Agreement’ is regrettably true,” Barrasso wrote in a letter sent to IEA Chief Fatih Birol earlier this year. “With the many serious energy security challenges facing the world, however, IEA should not be a partisan cheerleader. What the world needs from IEA—and what it is not receiving now—is sober and unbiased analyses and projections that educate and inform policymakers and investors. IEA needs to remember why it was established and return to its energy security mission.”

The IEA was established in 1974 in response to the first Arab Oil Embargo which resulted in dramatically higher prices for crude oil and gasoline at the pump. Originally supported by 31 member countries including the US, the Agency’s mission was to provide accurate information related to global oil supply and demand which subscribing countries could use to help form effective energy policies. That original mission held firm for decades, during which the IEA was widely considered a leading source of real, unbiased energy information.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil's Petrobras seen to remain profitable despite Q2 drop

Brazil's federal oil company Petrobras reported net income of US$5.8bn in the second quarter, down 20.3% from the previous quarter and 35.9% from a year earlier.

The result mainly reflected a lower Brent price, a 40% decline in the diesel crack spread (i.e. the difference between derivatives and crude oil) and higher operating expenses, in particular US$400mn of impairment charges and US$100mn of tax charges.

Mahatma Santos, head of petroleum, gas and biofuels association Ineep, expects Petrobras to maintain revenue and profit levels – if the company can keep its fuel prices below the import parity price (PPI) and if other factors such as the international price of crude oil and the exchange rate work out. 

“The scenario is one of uncertainty, given the context of strong geopolitical tensiondue to the war in Ukraine, which has direct impacts on the prices of natural gas, LPG [cooking gas] and other inputs for the industry,” Santos told BNamericas. 

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