{"id":112563,"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/02\/02\/this-morning-carlyle-could-tap-a-uae-investor-for-lukoil-acquisition-fuel-prices-down-again-in-february\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T00:00:00","slug":"this-morning-carlyle-could-tap-a-uae-investor-for-lukoil-acquisition-fuel-prices-down-again-in-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/02\/02\/this-morning-carlyle-could-tap-a-uae-investor-for-lukoil-acquisition-fuel-prices-down-again-in-february\/","title":{"rendered":"THIS MORNING: Carlyle could tap a UAE investor for Lukoil acquisition + Fuel prices down again in February"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Good morning, friends, and happy first workday of a new month. <\/strong>We have a relatively busy issue with which to start the week, with two big stories coming up over the weekend: <strong>ADQ is now firmly under new sovereign wealth fund L\u2019Imad\u2019s umbrella<\/strong>, and the Wall Street Journal reports that US President Donald Trump\u2019s crypto venture <strong>World Liberty Financial has now found a major shareholder in Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan-backed investment vehicles<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>On the macro front, non-oil trade came in at AED 3.8 tn last year<\/strong>, marking a new record and bringing us very close to the government\u2019s AED 4 tn target. Plus: Abu Dhabi wrapped the year with a slight acceleration to 1.5%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">PSA<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt3\"><\/a> <strong>February<\/strong><strong> oil prices are in: <\/strong>The UAE fuel price committee has lowered costs across the board for February, according to an Emirates Petroleum Company <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmaratOfficial\/status\/2017542048409366611?s=20\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">post on X<\/a>. This marks another dip from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/01\/05\/this-morning-fuel-prices-slashed-for-january-minimum-wage-hiked-for-emiratis\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">January<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Here\u2019s the new breakdown per liter:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Super 98 is now AED 2.45, down from AED 2.53 in January (-3.2%);<\/li>\n<li>Special 95 is AED 2.33, down from AED 2.42 (-3.7%);<\/li>\n<li>E-Plus 91 is AED 2.26, down from AED 2.34 (-3.4%);<\/li>\n<li>Diesel is AED 2.52, down from AED 2.55 (-1.2%). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>\u26c5WEATHER- It\u2019s a partly cloudy day today<\/strong>, with temperatures reaching 26\u00b0C in Dubai and 27\u00b0C in Abu Dhabi, with an overnight low of 16\u00b0C in Dubai and 14\u00b0C in the capital. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Watch this space <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt1\"><\/a>  <strong>M&A WATCH<\/strong> <strong>\u2014 Not out of the race for Lukoil\u2019s assets after all?<\/strong> US private equity firm Carlyle is reportedly in early-stage talks with UAE investors to bring them on as co-investors for <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/01\/30\/this-morning-uae-eyes-investments-in-rosatoms-nuclear-projects-adnoc-ihc-out-of-the-race-for-lukoils-assets\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">its proposed acquisition<\/a> of Russian oil firm Lukoil\u2019s foreign assets, sources told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/transactional\/carlyle-talks-with-potential-uae-partners-lukoil-assets-sources-say-2026-01-30\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>ICYMI- We had reported last week that IHC and Adnoc \u2014 both of whom were rumored to be in talks with Lukoil \u2014 may be out of the running for Lukoil\u2019s international assets<\/strong>, after Carlyle and Lukoil announced a preliminary agreement <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/01\/30\/this-morning-uae-eyes-investments-in-rosatoms-nuclear-projects-adnoc-ihc-out-of-the-race-for-lukoils-assets\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">a few days ago<\/a> to acquire a broad portfolio of assets from Lukoil, but sources have told Reuters that Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Adnoc\u2019s XRG, and IHC were holding discussions with the US private equity player about stakes in the portfolio. Nothing has been set in stone so far.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Where we\u2019re at:<\/strong> The transaction remains subject to approval from US authorities. No valuation has been agreed, though one source put the assets\u2019 value at around USD 22 bn. One source says Emirati investors were particularly keen on Litasco, Lukoil\u2019s trading arm, which shifted its regional trading business to a newly-formed Dubai entity <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2025\/08\/07\/this-morning-president-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-kicks-off-russia-visit-pakistan-mart-is-coming\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">last summer<\/a>. However, US officials are keen to keep Lukoil\u2019s portfolio intact. The Russian firm is also still talking with other firms on a takeover.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What\u2019s still needed? <\/strong>The US imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/01\/30\/this-morning-uae-eyes-investments-in-rosatoms-nuclear-projects-adnoc-ihc-out-of-the-race-for-lukoils-assets\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">last October<\/a> and Lukoil has until 28 February to sell the assets. US authorities are requiring Carlyle to carry out due diligence. Proceeds from a sale would go into US-controlled coffers and remain frozen until the sanctions are lifted.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt2\"><\/a> <strong>DISPUTE WATCH \u2014<\/strong> <strong>NMC<\/strong><strong> drops GBP 2 bn lawsuit against EY: <\/strong>Abu Dhabi-based hospital operator NMC Healthcare dropped its GBP 2 bn London lawsuit against auditor EY, initially filed in 2022, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/boards-policy-regulation\/uae-hospital-operator-nmc-withdraws-2-billion-pound-uk-lawsuit-against-ey-2026-01-31\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> reports. The trial began in London\u2019s High Court in May and concluded in October, with the operator withdrawing its claim before the court could rule on the case.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>BACKGROUND- <\/strong>NMC\u2019s administrators <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2025\/05\/20\/this-morning-emirates-nbd-to-set-up-unit-in-india-ex-magellan-trader-files-complaints-over-alleged-regulatory-breaches\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">were suing EY<\/a> for failing to detect fraudulent activity between 2012-2018. Later in 2020, the healthcare operator collapsed and was forced into administration after a report from shortseller Muddy Waters claimed it had inflated its assets and owned over USD 4 bn in hidden debt. In response to NMC\u2019s allegations, EY said senior NMC figures were deliberately hiding the firm\u2019s accounts and denied accusations of negligence.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>REAL ESTATE \u2014 AED 500 mn Umm Suqeim<\/strong><strong> beach renovation: <\/strong>Dubai\u2019s Umm Suqeim Beach is getting an AED 500 mn upgrade, after Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved a redevelopment master plan, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mediaoffice.ae\/en\/news\/2026\/february\/01-02\/hamdan-bin-mohammed-approves-master-plan-to-develop-umm-suqeim-beach\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Dubai Media Office<\/a>. Spanning a 3.1-km stretch and covering nearly 445k sqm in total, the development will increase the beach area by 30% and feature a 38-m observation tower.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The details: <\/strong>Infrastructure upgrades include a 200% increase in parking capacity to accommodate 2.4k spaces, 11 taxi hubs, and a designated network for bicycles and electric scooters. The project will also construct a 2-km retaining wall to address rising sea levels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>M&A WATCH \u2014 <\/strong><strong>Mubadala <\/strong><strong>to back USD 10 bn buyout of Singapore data giant: <\/strong>Mubadala and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC are in talks to join KKR & Co and Singapore Telecommunications in their bid to purchase <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sttelemediagdc.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">ST Telemedia Global Data Centres<\/a> (STT GDC) \u2014 a Singapore-based data center operator \u2014 in a transaction that could value the operator at above USD 10 bn, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-01\/gic-mubadala-said-to-be-set-to-join-kkr-in-10-billion-stt-deal\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports, citing sources it says are in the know. The sovereign wealth funds would back the bid as minority co-investors. More details could be announced later this week, the sources said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>STT GDC is a global data center player that <\/strong><strong>operates over 100 facilities across 20 <\/strong><strong>countries.<\/strong> KKR and Singapore Telecommunications became minority owners in the firm after securing a USD 1.3 bn stake last year. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Happening today<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Our fellow photo nerds in the UAE have been looking forward to this year\u2019s Xposure, on until Wednesday, 4 February in Sharjah.<\/strong> This year\u2019s global celebration of visual storytelling features a who\u2019s who of talented photographers \u2014 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/xposure.net\/photographer\/romany-hafez\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">including our friend Romany Hafez<\/a>, whose haunting analog work explores memory, presence, and sacred spaces. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Happening this week<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Trilateral Ukraine, Russia, US talks in Abu Dhabi: <\/strong>The next round of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US will be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/2017906757511659583\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">post on X<\/a>. He added that Ukraine is seeking \u201ca real and dignified end to the war.\u201d <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>ICYMI- <\/strong>The talks would follow the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/uae\/2026\/01\/27\/round-two-of-ukraine-russia-us-talks-in-abu-dhabi-on-sunday\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">first round of meetings<\/a> held in the UAE capital at the end of January. The ceasefire negotiations came amid ongoing fighting, and security assurances and territorial disputes remained sticking points. However, in recent days both countries have scaled back their attacks following a temporary truce to protect energy infrastructure, which expired yesterday, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/International\/round-us-russia-ukraine-talks-begin-feb-4\/story?id=129749027\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">ABC News<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.worldgovernmentssummit.org\/events\/2026\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">World Governments Summit<\/a><\/strong> <strong> runs from tomorrow to Thursday, 5 Februar<\/strong><strong>y in Dubai <\/strong>under the theme Shaping Future Governments. Government leaders, international organizations, and private-sector executives will focus on governance reform, technology, and global policy challenges.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>MENA\u2019<\/strong><strong>s <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/luma.com\/o8778k2y\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">MEVCA Investors Summit<\/a><\/strong><strong> takes place on Wednesday, 4 Fe<\/strong><strong>bruary in Abu Dhabi<\/strong>, gathering the venture capital community as capital allocators and fund managers assess fundraising conditions, LP sentiment, and sector priorities shaping the region\u2019s VC pipeline.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/proptechconnect.com\/official-press-release-dubai-hosts-proptech-connect-middle-east-2026\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">PropTech Connect Middle East<\/a><\/strong><strong> is happening <\/strong><strong>on Wednesday, 4 February and Thursday, 5 February in Dubai<\/strong>, bringing investors, developers, and property-tech firms together to discuss AI, data, blockchain, and digital tools reshaping real estate markets across the region.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/forums.menamoney.org\/product\/test-arab-actuarial-conference-2026\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">The International Arab Actuarial Conference<\/a><\/strong><strong> runs from Wednesday, 4 February until Friday, 6 February in Dubai<\/strong>, bringing together actuaries, insurers, regulators, and banks from across MENA. Sessions will focus on AI, health ins., cyber risk, catastrophe modeling, and pension sustainability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> The big story abroad<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>It\u2019s a quiet Monday morning in the global business press<\/strong>, with one story dominating the headlines \u2014 the gold and silver crash. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-01\/how-chinese-speculators-set-the-stage-for-gold-and-silver-crash?srnd=homepage-americas\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> is out with a piece looking at the role Chinese speculators played in the metals\u2019 rally and subsequent crash. The rally seen by gold, sustained over years by central banks hedging against potential losses from the USD, was intensified in recent weeks by a wave of buying from Chinese investors and equity funds. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Then came the selloff: <\/strong>As soon as the greenback started heading upwards, boosted by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2026\/02\/01\/the-us-wants-american-companies-to-invest-in-egyptian-ports-but-geopolitics-not-economics-seems-to-be-driving-the-push\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a> of Kevin Warsh\u2019s nomination as Fed Chair, Shanghai cashed out its holdings in gold. The fallout saw the metal dropping at one point by more than USD 200 an ounce in ten minutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Silver was another casualty of the sudden twist of fate<\/strong>, dropping by 27% on Friday \u2014 its biggest drop on record. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">^^ We have more on the rebound of the USD and gold crash in this morning\u2019s Planet Finance. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>CLOSER TO HOME- Egypt, Qatar, Turkey to broker US-Iran talks this week: <\/strong>The Trump administration is reportedly open to a diplomatic solution with Iran, as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey work to broker a sitdown in Ankara this week, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/02\/01\/us-iran-deal-talks-trump\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Axios<\/a> reported, citing sources it says are in the know. Negotiations would involve a meeting between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and high level Iranian officials to discuss averting the breakout of a regional war. <\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 subscribe-box-panel\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h4 class=\"fw-lighter mb-10\">   Get <b style=\"font-weight: 700\">Enterprise<\/b> daily   <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-10\">The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/egypt\/en\/user\/NewsLetters\" type=\"button \" class=\"btn-green px-3 d-flex align-items-center\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe here<\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>You\u2019re reading EnterpriseAM UAE<\/strong>, your essential daily roundup of business, economics, and must-read news about the UAE, delivered straight to your inbox. We\u2019re out Monday through Friday by 7am UAE time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>EnterpriseAM UAE is available without charge <\/strong>thanks to the generous support of our friends at Mashreq and Hassan Allam Properties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Were you forwarded this email?<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\/user\/news-letters\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Tap or click here<\/a> to get your own copy of EnterpriseAM UAE. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Want to send us a story idea, request coverage, ask for a correction, or otherwise get in touch? <\/strong>Reach out to us on  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:UAE@enterpriseAM.com\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">UAE@enterpriseAM.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>DID YOU KNOW that we also cover <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/egypt\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Egypt<\/a><\/strong><strong>, <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/ksa\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Saudi Arabia<\/a><\/strong>, and the MENA <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/logistics\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">logistics<\/a> industry?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">***<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Market watch<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt4\"><\/a> <strong>Op<\/strong><strong>ec+ is sticking to its guns and keeping oil output increases on hold th<\/strong><strong>rough March<\/strong>, attributing the decision to \u201cseasonality,\u201d according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.opec.org\/pr-detail\/589-1-february-2026.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">press release<\/a>. The cartel had agreed last year to pause hikes through 1Q 2026, after raising production quotas by about 2.9 mn barrels a day between April and December 2025. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>This is despite oil prices increasing to over USD 70 a barrel last week<\/strong>, despite earlier expectations of a supply glut pushing prices down. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What to watch:<\/strong> The next meeting is set for 1 March, and we have no forward guidance to go off of from Opec+, which is in itself \u201csignificant,\u201d an analyst told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/opec-set-keep-planned-oil-output-pause-march-prices-jump-sources-say-2026-02-01\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a>. This could most likely be due to current geopolitical uncertainty, with the cartel possibly leaving all options on the table pending further clarity on ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Circle your calendar<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Check out our full calendar on the web<\/strong> for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plus: NMC drops GBP 2 bn lawsuit against EY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":112564,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_primary_brand":0,"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1543],"tags":[57,833,143,7,60,1061,266,389,98,838,6],"brand":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"class_list":["post-112563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-what-were-tracking-today","tag-adnoc","tag-dispute-watch","tag-energy","tag-enterpriseam-uae","tag-ma-watch","tag-nmc-healthcare","tag-oil-and-gas","tag-opec-2","tag-real-estate","tag-russia-ukraine-war","tag-what-were-tracking-today","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"15b6e73a-7d3a-45d9-a42f-96a8bd17ee59","order":"2","is_powered_by":false,"story_type":"4","photo_url":"https:\/\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/77.jpg","photo_position":"above","homepage_title":"","full_issue_title":"THIS 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