** Top European energy companies on Friday asked U.S. regulators to reject Venture Global LNG’s request for a one-year construction permit extension to its Louisiana export plant. Shell PLC, Italian utility Edison, Repsol, Orlen SA, and Galp Energia SA oppose the request because they believe Venture Global LNG has completed its plant but has failed to give them contracted cargoes.
** EQT Corp., the largest US natural gas producer, agreed to buy back its former unit Equitrans Midstream Corp. for about $5.5 billion in stock in the latest in a flurry of deals in the oil and gas pipeline industry.
** The US could further tighten controls on China’s access to sophisticated semiconductor technologies, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, signaling Washington may intensify its campaign to prevent Beijing catching up in military capabilities.
** Bitcoin topped $72,000 for the first time, advancing for a sixth straight day and taking gains this year to almost 70% on the back of massive inflows into US exchange-traded funds.
** Electric vehicle maker Rivian struggled with supply chain issues, sagging demand for EVs and pressure from investors before canceling plans to build a $5 billion factory in Georgia.
** Ten coal barges break free from a towing vessel in the Ohio River, with two ending up partially submerged.
World
** India signed a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on Sunday that includes a commitment of $100 billion investment and creating 1 million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years, officials said.
** Saudi Aramco is in talks with companies for liquefied natural gas projects in the US as it looks to the fuel for global growth at a time when rivals in the region are also expanding in the sector.
** The Philippines is counting on the US and its allies to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea, according to Manila’s envoy to Washington.
** Resource-scarce Japan is shoring up long-term supplies of liquefied natural gas from close allies Australia and the United States as key contracts from providers including Russia are set to expire by the early 2030s.
** Brazilian state-controlled oil giant Petrobras sent a team of production specialists to Venezuela at the request of Nicolás Maduro, whose administration is welcoming oil majors despite US sanctions threats on its oil industry.