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Canada's federal environment ministry on Thursday opened a formal investigation into a tailings leak at Imperial Oil's Kearl oil sands mine, signaling a potential prosecution.

The two countries released long-awaited plans to further slash methane emissions from oil and gas operations, in keeping with last year’s pledges to rein in emissions by 2030.

Many hydrocarbon producers are making policy progress to fight climate change and prepare for the energy transition, despite major global macroeconomic and energy market headwinds. Elections in Australia, Brazil and Colombia saw victories by new, more climate friendly governments, while new US policy could reduce emissions. COP27 saw several new net-zero pledges and emissions reduction targets, with methane a particular focus. However, many key challenges remain, including questions about financing that will have to be addressed if countries are to meet their ambitious goals.

The Central Asian country is seeking to reduce its dependence on Russia as a transit route for its oil exports, but it still has a long way to go.

Energy security concerns are preserving a role for gas — but also propelling efforts to diversify clean-energy supply chains.

Fighting between the official Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to rage. Energy Intelligence expects prolonged fighting as the most likely near-term scenario, as peace talks drag on and neither seems capable of winning outright. Key outside actors currently support diplomacy, but the odds of them becoming more involved increase as the conflict continues. Energy sector risks in Sudan and its neighbors are rising, while Red Sea trade flows may be threatened if fighting spreads to the coast or undermines the Horn of Africa. The conflict also threatens the fragile stability in neighboring producers in South Sudan, North Africa and the Sahel.