Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Energy Traders Discuss Trade That Paid Off Before Attacks
Some large European energy companies are doing more oil and energy trading.
One of these companies is TotalEnergies.
Its traders noticed that the U.S. Navy was gathering near the Persian Gulf at the end of February.
This happened before the United States and Israel began attacking a country that the article does not name.
A trade made earlier in the year later benefited TotalEnergies.
People talked about this trade at Appec events.
TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné described the events at a shareholders meeting in May.
The story shows how traders watched military activity when making business decisions.
European energy majors BP and TotalEnergies have expanded their trading operations in recent years.
Guests at Appec events discussed a major trade earlier this year that benefited TotalEnergies.
TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said the company’s oil traders watched U.S. Navy activity near the Persian Gulf.
The naval buildup occurred at the end of February, before the U.S. and Israel began attacking the country.
Pouyanné made the remarks during a TotalEnergies shareholders meeting in May.
- Who
- TotalEnergies, BP, Patrick Pouyanné, the U.S. Navy, the United States, and Israel.
- What
- Energy majors expanded trading, while TotalEnergies’ oil traders identified a major trade before attacks began.
- When
- The naval buildup occurred at the end of February; Pouyanné discussed it at a shareholders meeting in May.
- Where
- Near the Persian Gulf and at Appec events; the shareholders meeting’s location was not specified.
- Why
- TotalEnergies’ traders observed the U.S. Navy’s buildup before the attacks, and a related trade later paid off.
- Companies
- BP and TotalEnergies
- Industry
- Energy and oil trading
- Trade outcome
- A major trade earlier in the year paid off for TotalEnergies
- Observed activity
- U.S. Navy forces amassing near the Persian Gulf
- Timing
- The buildup occurred at the end of February
- Disclosure
- Patrick Pouyanné discussed the matter at a shareholders meeting in May