A man discovered a decomposing sea turtle carcass on the beach; some netizens urged him to pry off the turtle shell. Others commented: 'This is highly illegal! Picking it up violates the law!'

By the way, the 'green' in green sea turtle does not refer to the color of its shell, limbs, or head—but rather to its fat! Because green sea turtles feed heavily on seagrasses and large algae, green pigments accumulate in their body fat, giving it a pale green hue—hence the name 'green sea turtle'. I had expected the comment section to feature reflections on the fragility of life,科普 about the rarity and ecological importance of sea turtles, or curious questions about why the blogger happened to be working in such a distant African country. Instead, most people were preoccupied with whether this sea turtle could generate economic value—specifically, monetary value. Many netizens actively encouraged the blogger to take the turtle’s shell, and one even remarked: 'The skull is quite nice!' Most likely, these commenters have never handled sea turtle products themselves. Anyone who actually owns such items—or has ever facilitated their trade—would hardly dare speak so openly. Perhaps they’ve read online articles or news reports highlighting the enormous profits from illegal sea turtle trade and are merely repeating what they’ve heard. I know they’re probably just joking, but such remarks shouldn’t be made lightly. Some people may harbor malicious intentions yet lack the courage to act; others may simply be completely unaware of the legal implications. What if, as the saying goes, 'the speaker means nothing, but the listener takes it seriously'? If someone actually commits an illegal act based on such comments, could those netizens be considered accomplices? A few netizens did demonstrate awareness: they pointed out that protected wildlife—including all parts of their bodies, even after death—is strictly prohibited from possession, let alone collection or trade. Under Chinese law, all sea turtle species found within China’s territory are protected—not only the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), which netizens repeatedly mentioned due to its high profile in black-market trade (especially for its ornamental shell). China’s Wildlife Protection Law covers not only living individuals but also carcasses, shells, bones, and other remains. According to provisions in the Criminal Law concerning crimes endangering precious and endangered wildlife, unauthorized collection or disassembly of sea turtle remains for personal possession constitutes a violation; further acts such as transportation or trading may trigger criminal liability. Some might consider this regulation overly strict—but there’s no alternative. If merely picking up a dead turtle were legal, then every convicted offender could claim their seized protected wildlife products were 'found by accident,' making it nearly impossible for conservation authorities and law enforcement agencies to verify the truthfulness of such claims. This would significantly increase protection costs—and provide real criminals with convenient cover and excuses. Moreover, netizens have no idea about the actual conditions at the site: Is the current strong? Is the seabed mud unstable? Is accessing the beach even safe? Issuing such casual instructions puts others at risk of accidents. And if the carcass carries dangerous pathogens, unauthorized handling or dissection poses serious public health hazards.

What will the new landscape of global oil and gas exploration and development look like in the future?

Exploration assessments of these 'energy super-basins' are largely focused on low-carbon natural gas—for example, the Rovuma Basin in Mozambique (East Africa), the Pre-Caspian Basin in Kazakhstan (Central Asia), and the Sarawak Basin in Malaysia. Operators will refine estimates of resource potential and assess the feasibility of integrating oil fields with carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure—enhancing economic viability and supporting long-term emissions-reduction goals. Over 70% of new projects commencing production in 2025 will be natural gas-based, with major developments concentrated across the Asia-Pacific region, Russia–Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Only the Americas will focus predominantly on oil development. Crude oil output in the Americas will grow robustly: beyond the Permian Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and Latin America will also make significant contributions. In 2025, crude oil production in the Americas is projected to surge by 1.135 million barrels per day (bpd). Specifically, U.S. shale oil from the Permian Basin will add approximately 300,000 bpd under a new 'moderate growth' trajectory; deepwater production in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to rise by 300,000 bpd; Brazil’s deepwater pre-salt fields will contribute another 300,000 bpd; Guyana’s fourth floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel—deployed at the Yellowtail and Redtail discoveries—will add 135,000 bpd; and Argentina’s shale oil output will increase by 100,000 bpd. Given divergent corporate strategies, prospects for upstream asset mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the oil and gas sector are becoming increasingly fragmented. Meanwhile, policy support for the oil and gas industry from the new U.S. administration may become a key catalyst driving M&A activity. Among international oil companies (IOCs): Shell is the most likely candidate to launch a major acquisition in 2025. Its production is expected to peak in 2028 and fall significantly behind U.S. peers after 2030. Yet, with a solid balance sheet, Shell possesses both the motivation and capacity to pursue upstream M&A—primarily targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and deepwater assets. bp’s outlook through 2033 appears relatively stable; however, if considering corporate transactions, its comparatively weaker financial strength and less attractive equity currency limit options. Given its portfolio and financial positioning, bp will concentrate on U.S. operations and seek expansion via partnerships or strategic joint ventures. Eni aims to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce net investment; in 2025, it plans divestitures—including stakes in Indonesia’s Kutai Basin and Côte d’Ivoire’s Baleine field—both of which are expected to attract interest from IOCs and national oil companies (NOCs). ExxonMobil boasts an exceptionally strong portfolio with no pressing acquisition needs, yet its high credit rating in capital markets enables easy stock-for-stock swaps to facilitate asset trades. Chevron’s $60 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation—subject to a priority right clause—may reach a decision mid-2025; should the deal fail, Chevron will likely redirect investment into its existing Permian assets, use cash flow for share buybacks, or explore potential equity-swap targets. Among national oil companies (NOCs): Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Saudi Aramco are actively seeking strategic global natural gas assets. In 2024, ADNOC partnered with bp and acquired Galp’s stake in Mozambique’s Block 4; in November, it announced the formation of XRG—a new $80 billion international investment subsidiary dedicated to global chemicals, low-carbon energy, and international natural gas business. This move positions ADNOC to continue pursuing suitable asset acquisitions globally in 2025.

Senegal and Eni Sign MoU to Evaluate Five Offshore Blocks

6 days ago

Senegal and Italian oil company Eni have signed an MoU to conduct preliminary studies on five offshore blocks, supporting the government's strategy to resume oil and gas exploration with Petrosen playing a central role.

reuters

2026-09-15

Senegal and Eni Sign MoU to Evaluate Five Offshore Blocks

Senegal and Eni Sign MoU to Evaluate Five Offshore Blocks

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