In this week's Market Movers, we look at upcoming major energy meetings including OPEC, its gas equivalent, GECF; Saudi Arabia showcasing its mining industry; and the EU's plans for a green Europe.
In this week's Market Movers, we look at upcoming major energy meetings including OPEC, its gas equivalent, GECF; Saudi Arabia showcasing its mining industry; and the EU's plans for a green Europe.
First: The Gas Exporting Countries Forum sees heads of state and government meeting in Equatorial Guinea this week to discuss the state of the global gas market.
With prices having been especially low globally in 2019, the GECF - whose members include heavyweights Russia, Qatar and Iran - will have much to ponder.
As the chart shows, GECF members exported some 515 billion cubic meters of gas and LNG last year, around 42% of the world's total exports.
They also make up 70% of the world's gas reserves.
Unlike its sister organization in the oil sector, OPEC, the GECF does not get involved in coordinated market action, instead focusing on promoting the use of gas.
But with prices in the doldrums - largely due to an oversupplied global LNG market - and an increasing backlash against fossil fuels from environmentalist groups, GECF members may also look at ways to preserve the role of gas in the global energy mix.
While the group is unlikely to make the switch to coordinated market intervention, the conclusions of the summit will still make for very interesting reading.
And talking of that sister organization, we're watching the build-up to next week's meeting of OPEC and its allies in Vienna on December 5 and 6.
Again, Russia will figure prominently.
Moscow, a participant in production cuts as part of the OPEC-plus pact, is proposing a re-jig of the agreement to exclude new volumes of gas condensate.
Russia is expecting to ramp up condensate production as its LNG industry expands.
Energy minister Alexander Novak is expected to discuss the government's position with Russian oil companies this week.
That brings us to this week's social media question: How successful will Russia be in excluding gas condensate from OPEC's production cut? Tweet us your thoughts with the hashtag #PlattsMM.
Moving away from fossil fuels, literally, on Wednesday in Strasbourg the European Parliament is due to vote in a new college of EU Commissioners.
This is likely to trigger an intense 100-day period of policy activity as Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen pursues her core aim for a new European Green Deal.
She aims to make Europe "the world's first climate-neutral continent."
Staying with the theme of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, Saudi Arabia will showcase its new mining initiatives at the annual Mines and Money conference in London.
Earlier this year, the Kingdom launched a major drive to develop its varied mineral resources as part of its Vision 2030 plan, as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil.
Thousands are expected to attend the three-day event which starts on Monday.
This is despite a fall this year in global non-ferrous metals exploration budgets and a climate of increased resource nationalism.
That's not only in Africa, but worldwide.
Other topics being discussed will include M&A activity in the gold sector, environmental, social and governance criteria, as well as the latest projections for battery metals and electric vehicle demand.
And finally we're holding a conference of our own.
The inaugural S&P Global Platts European Shipping Seminar takes place in Athens this Wednesday.
Freight market participants from around the world will gather to discuss the impact of the cut in marine fuel sulfur to 0.5% from 3.5% from January 1, known as IMO 2020.
With talks and panels covering tankers, dry bulk, and container shipping, the focus will be on fleet developments, marine fuels of the future, and growing digitalization across the sector.
Thanks for tuning in, and have a great week ahead!