Canadian energy producers are driving the largest oil sands merger wave in a decade, while the prolonged Strait of Hormuz crisis is permanently reshaping global liquefied natural gas trade routes. At the same time, Bank of Russia announced tighter cash and gold export limits to EAEU nations, and Baku highlighted regional energy transit initiatives affecting the South Caucasus.
Global market
Canada’s oil patch is experiencing its largest consolidation and M&A wave in a decade, driven by domestic producers expanding oil sands assets previously relinquished by international majors. In gas logistics, the prolonged Strait of Hormuz crisis has rendered roughly 20% of global LNG supplies interruptible, forcing European and Asian buyers to secure long-term supply contracts from alternative producers in Canada, Mozambique, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, maritime advisory firm Lloyd’s Register identified 200,000 cubic meter LNG carriers as the optimal standard for fleet renewal, reducing transit costs without disrupting terminal infrastructure. In Europe, Bulgaria’s parliament voted 121 to 0 to repeal export restrictions on diesel and jet fuel.
Russia & CIS
Bank of Russia Financial Monitoring Head Bogdan Shablya announced upcoming restrictions on exporting cash and gold from Russia to EAEU member states during the International Banking Forum. In regional logistics, Uzbekistan and Georgia finalized an agreement to establish Uzbek port terminals in Poti, expanding Middle Corridor trade infrastructure. On domestic infrastructure, falling drone debris damaged administrative buildings at an oil depot in Rostov Oblast, Governor Yury Slyusar reported. In Siberia, a transformer station fire at the Neryungri power plant delayed residential heating restoration in Yakutia, while fresh fuel shipments reached Zabaykalsky Krai to relieve local retail filling station limits.
Armenia
Baku highlighted the potential of the proposed regional transit corridor to strengthen South Caucasus energy connectivity, news.am reported. Reports on Russian EAEU financial controls and Siberian power station disruptions received close coverage across Armenian media outlets. Nevertheless, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas in Armenia remain stable. Natural gas supplies and operations at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant continue without disruption under long-term agreements within the EAEU, shielding domestic consumers from global price shocks recorded by international market price assessments.