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OnePlus Announces Return to Metal Unibody Design with OnePlus Nord 4 with In-Depth Discussion

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OnePlus

An interview with the Head of the OnePlus Industrial Design Center and the designer of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch and Cauldron
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 July 2024 – Global technology company OnePlus brought back the timeless metal unibody design with the launch of the OnePlus Nord 4 on July 16 in Milan. The first and only smartphone in the 5G era to feature a metal unibody[1], the OnePlus Nord 4 debuts in three brand-new Nord tones, each offering a fusion of “no-follower” colors and innovative finishings. With the OnePlus Nord 4, OnePlus aims to deliver worry-free durability, premium appeal, and a burdenless experience that liberates users and complements their self-expression.
To celebrate the renaissance of the metal unibody smartphone, two of the industry’s most creative minds — Ryan Ruan, Head of OnePlus Industrial Design Center, and Mathieu Lehanneur, Designer of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch and Cauldron — met for an in-depth discussion to delve into the timeless allure of metal and share the behind-the-scenes design stories of the OnePlus Nord 4.

Guilloché: A Designer’s First Impression
Taking a first look at the OnePlus Nord 4 in Mercurial Silver, Lehanneur was impressed by the stunning visual relief effect and high-end tactile feel created by the 3D nano-laser engraved matte finish. Sculpted from over 28,000 nano-laser cuts, the near-fluid profile that dances with light breaks free from the flat, two-dimensional designs of the past to render a masterpiece in motion.

“It reminds me of a super intricate and beautiful technique often used in luxury watches that we call ‘Guilloché’ in French,” said Lehanneur. “It’s not simply the case of loving the shape, or the color, or the features, but about how you can feel the design it in a more sensitive way.”

Timeless Metal and Bold New Look
In CMF (colors, materials, finishes) design, metal has long been favored for its durability, dependability, and minimalist allure. Lehanneur, a big fan of metal himself, has created a range of metal masterpieces throughout his career, including the recent Olympic torch for Paris 2024. Perfectly symmetrical in its design, the torch features a matte finish on its top half and a reflective, subtly indented lower half that emulates ripples and movements of water. Crafting such an emotive sensation from metal requires unmatched intricacy and innovation, and the application of cutting-edge processing techniques to breathe new life into this timeless material.

“OnePlus shares Mathieu’s belief that design and craftsmanship are key to redefining metal,” said Ruan. “We aim to push the boundaries of this premium material to bring our users entirely new and exhilarating experiences.”

To infuse a refreshing touch into metal and craft a unique metallic sheen and feel for the OnePlus Nord 4, OnePlus tested over a hundred different metal finishes, treatments, and color variations, ultimately resulting in three distinctive colorways: Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, and Oasis Green.

Each colorway enables users to effortlessly pick a color that resonates with them most, based simply on instinct and preference. This same burdenless ethos guided Lehanneur in designing the Olympic torch.

“I love the fact that only the designers, engineers, technicians, and makers truly understand the level of complexity behind the design,” said Lehanneur. “For me, the purpose is never to express this complexity to the public but to share a sensation of pure simplicity.”

Balance, Not Trade-off
Lehanneur believes that true validation of good design lies in the user experience — whether users can build an emotional connection with the product and feel the desire to own it. This same user-centric approach is what drives OnePlus designs too, based on the belief that while form should always follow function, good design is what ultimately defines the user experience. By balancing aesthetics and functionality, the new OnePlus Nord 4 embodies OnePlus’ Never Settle spirit, combining innovative technologies and solutions to create an all-round burdenless experience.

For instance, the optimized internal structure and U-shape antennas of the OnePlus Nord 4 enhance signal performance while mitigating the “death grip” issue that affected previous unibody metal designs. The aluminum alloy body, which is inherently cooler than other materials at room temperature and boasts high thermal conductivity, also offers superior heat dissipation. Additionally, the ingenious thermal conduction barrier design prevents heat transfer through the metal unibody to the gripping area. These features ensure reliable signal strength and consistent user comfort when gripping the phone in different positions, allaying any fears about the conventional drawbacks of metal bodied phones.

At the end of the day, however, much like Lehanneur envisioned the Olympic torch as a universally beloved symbol and memory, OnePlus’ aim is that the OnePlus Nord 4 can transcend being just a device to become a piece of art that brings meaningful experiences to more users.

Never Settle: Innovating Towards a Sustainable Future
“Metal comes from the Earth, from the planet itself, so its history is much longer than [that of] flowers,” said Lehanneur.

This timelessness and endless recyclability of metal is what inspired Lehanneur to design the Olympic torch using recycled steel. It also continues to drive his use of metal as a key medium in his future works.

Like Lehanneur, OnePlus shares this commitment to sustainability and employs a dedicated CMF team specializing in the innovative application of materials. From the bamboo back of the OnePlus One to the durable and recyclable aluminum unibody of the OnePlus Nord 4, OnePlus pioneers material innovations that marry functionality with sustainability. Looking ahead, OnePlus will continue to explore the next evolution of metal unibody designs, introducing more timeless classics to the world and even potentially placing metal once again at the forefront of innovation in smartphone design.

[1] The OnePlus Nord 4 is the only 5G smartphone to feature a metal unibody 5G in the markets in which it is sold.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) 2027 Deal Room Targets Joint Ventures, Service Agreements and Offtake Partnerships

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Register as a commercial partner at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 to connect with Venezuelan operators, projects and strategic energy opportunities

International operators, oilfield service companies and strategic partners are invited to register as commercial partners for the Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) 2027 Deal Room, where companies can pursue joint ventures, service agreements, technology deployments, offtake arrangements and other commercial opportunities.

 




 
 

Taking place February 22–25 at the Simón Bolívar Convention Center in Caracas, the Deal Room will bring international companies into direct discussions with local operators, project developers, asset owners and regional leadership. As international companies re-engage with Venezuela’s oil and gas industry, the platform aims to facilitate project-level discussions and establish commercial relationships spanning upstream development, infrastructure, technology and energy supply.

For international operators and investors, the Deal Room provides an opportunity to identify assets and local counterparties for joint development. Venezuela’s push to increase oil production to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2026 and 1.5 million bpd in 2027 is creating potential openings for companies with the technical expertise, operational capacity and financial resources to participate in field rehabilitation, enhanced oil recovery, drilling and production expansion. Partnerships with Venezuelan operators can provide a route to developing assets and sharing project responsibilities.

Recent agreements demonstrate how partnerships have already begun to take shape. In September, Chevron secured expanded development rights in the Orinoco Belt, underpinning plans by its Venezuelan joint ventures to invest more than $7 billion over five years. Eni also signed a 25-year contract with PDVSA to assume operatorship of the Junín 5 heavy-oil field, giving the company responsibility for its technical, financial and commercial development.

Oilfield service companies and technology providers can pursue commercial agreements supporting these activities. Demand spans drilling and workover equipment, artificial lift, engineering, digital production systems, reservoir technologies, power solutions and other services required to restore production and improve the performance of existing infrastructure.

Commercial partnerships are advancing this area. In September, Halliburton signed separate agreements with Eneva and WESCA covering development opportunities, field evaluation and technical planning, while SLB signed a framework agreement with PDVSA in June spanning field development, digital technologies and workforce training.

The commercial opportunity extends beyond upstream operations. Companies can explore technology and service partnerships supporting gas processing and transportation, refinery rehabilitation, power generation, grid infrastructure and energy logistics, creating multiple routes for international suppliers and specialist firms to establish a presence in the market and for Venezuelan companies seeking to strengthen their portfolios.

Recent agreements reflect growing momentum in these areas. In September, GE Vernova signed a strategic alliance with PDVSA to rehabilitate electrical infrastructure serving Venezuela’s oil industry. More recently, Baker Hughes partnered with PDVSA, Venezuelan engineering company Lindsayca and Fulcrum LNG to pursue gas processing, transportation and commercialization projects.

Offtake and supply agreements offer another route for strategic participation. Companies can negotiate arrangements linked to specific oil, gas or refined-product assets, while international trading and downstream partners can explore supply relationships connected to Venezuela’s expanding production and processing capacity. Trading companies Vitol and Trafigura have already secured agreements to purchase and market Venezuelan oil, while international refiners are increasingly pursuing direct supply relationships with PDVSA.

The Deal Room will also provide direct access to the institutions shaping project development and commercial activity, including the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, PDVSA and its operating leadership. These relationships can help companies identify counterparties, clarify project requirements and develop commercial frameworks around specific opportunities.

As international activity accelerates across Venezuela’s energy sector, the Deal Room offers companies a focused setting to identify partners and convert market interest into concrete commercial relationships.

International operators, service companies and strategic partners can register to engage as commercial partners at the Venezuela Energy Week 2027 Deal Room. To engage as a commercial partner email info@venezuelaenergyweek.com or visit https://apo-opa.co/4z16kLV for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

 




 

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Guinea-Bissau Natural Resources Minister to Join Petroguin Delegation at Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry (MSGBC) 2026

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The former head of the Senegal-Guinea-Bissau joint zone agency returns to Dakar as Chevron’s arrival and fresh seismic work are lifting interest in Guinea-Bissau’s deepwater

DAKAR, Senegal, October 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Júlio Mamadu Baldé, Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Natural Resources, will attend MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar at the invitation of Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf. National oil company Petroguin will accompany him with a delegation of its own, giving the conference a strong Bissau-Guinean presence during the most active period for the country’s offshore in nearly two decades.

 




 
 

Chevron’s entry in November 2025 brought a supermajor into Guinea-Bissau’s deepwater for the first time. The company operates Blocks 5B and 6B with a 90% interest in each, while Petroguin holds the remaining 10%. In April 2026, Petroguin formed a joint venture with Tender Oil & Gas covering Blocks 5C and 6C, with plans for new seismic surveys aimed at advancing the acreage toward exploration drilling.

As a longstanding participant in this important event, it will be a great pleasure for us to attend once again

Apus Energy’s Atum-1X well, spudded on the Sinapa license in September 2024 in roughly 890 meters of water, was Guinea-Bissau’s first deepwater exploration well. The project re-opened the country’s offshore acreage and reignited global interest in Guinea-Bissau’s potential as a producer in the MSGBC region. In the two years since, Petroguin has expanded the data available to explorers. On October 15, at African Energy Week in Cape Town, the company signed an agreement with Norwegian geoscience firm TGS to reprocess more than 11,000 km² of 3D seismic data, with final products expected in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Baldé took office in April 2026 after nearly two decades as Secretary General of the Agence de Gestion et de Coopération (AGC), which oversees the maritime zone jointly administered by Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. “As a longstanding participant in this important event, it will be a great pleasure for us to attend once again,” said Minister Baldé.

In Dakar, Minister Baldé and the Petroguin delegation will join Senegal’s government leadership and the international companies now evaluating acreage across the basin. The conference will also host its inaugural Data Room, offering investors direct access to regional acreage, subsurface data and partnership opportunities, as MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 positions Guinea-Bissau’s frontier blocks for global investment.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power (ECP), MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 takes place December 1–3 at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf in Dakar, under the High Patronage of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and in partnership with Senegal’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. For more information and registration, visit www.MSGBCOilGasandPower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 




 

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Côte d’Ivoire’s Poro Power Solar Plant Earns International Awards for Pioneering Africa Finance Corporation-Led Project

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The facility is expected to become Côte d’Ivoire’s largest solar plant when operational in 2027

LONDON, October 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Côte d’Ivoire’s Poro Power solar project has received international recognition for a pioneering investment structure led by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org/), demonstrating how African capital can be mobilised to develop essential infrastructure and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy. The facility is expected to become Côte d’Ivoire’s largest solar plant when operational in 2027.

 



 
 

The project won ESG Green Bond Deal of the Year for Africa at the recent Infra Global ESG Awards 2026 in London, while AFC received ESG Green Bond Arranger of the Year for Africa. The double honours recognise the innovation behind the Poro Power transaction and AFC’s role in structuring and mobilising investment for sustainable infrastructure.

Developed by Ivorian entrepreneurs, the 66-megawatt solar plant is under construction in northern Côte d’Ivoire near the city of Korhogo. It is projected to generate approximately 136 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, meeting the needs of more than 100,000 households and benefiting an estimated half a million people.

Beyond providing homes, public services and businesses with reliable power, the project will help Côte d’Ivoire towards meeting its target of increasing renewable energy’s share of electricity generation to 45% by 2030. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire is enabling projects such as Poro Power through its initiative to encourage local private-sector participation in large-scale renewable energy projects, led by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy under Minister Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.

“These awards are a tremendous recognition for an Ivorian project developed to meet the needs of our own communities,” said Jean-Marc Aie, Chairman and CEO of Poro Power 1 S.A. “Our ambition is not simply to generate clean electricity, but to support businesses, create opportunities and contribute to the development of Côte d’Ivoire. The Ministry’s strategy to empower local private developers to undertake large-scale renewable energy projects, together with AFC’s investment and innovative financing structure, has been instrumental in bringing Poro Power to this stage.”

Poro Power demonstrates that African financial institutions have both the capital and the expertise to finance large-scale renewable energy infrastructure through our own markets

The €65 million financing package, equivalent to approximately FCFA 42.6 billion, was raised through a green bond — an investment instrument that enables institutions to lend money to projects delivering environmental benefits. It was the first project-finance green bond in both Côte d’Ivoire and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), establishing a precedent for French-speaking West Africa, and was led, structured and fully funded by African institutions. The transaction allowed investors to participate in both euros and CFA francs, making it also Côte d’Ivoire’s first dual-currency green bond. Together, these features demonstrate how African financial institutions can mobilise their own capital for major infrastructure projects, using financing structures suited to African markets.

AFC invested €43 million (approximately FCFA 28.2 billion) in February 2026 and acted as anchor investor, lead underwriter and co-arranger. The equivalent of a further €22 million was raised from African investors, including local and regional banks, pension funds, insurance companies and high-net worth investors.

The bond has a 15-year term, a fixed interest rate of 8.75%, and quarterly repayments following a two-year construction grace period. The financing combines the flexibility of a bond with safeguards normally used in project finance, including first-ranking security, dedicated revenue accounts and contractual protections that separate the project’s cash flows from other activities. These measures help protect investors and align repayments with the plant’s expected revenues.

By bringing together AFC’s investment alongside capital from other African institutions through a structure that accommodates both local and international currencies, the transaction offers a potential model for financing further renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the region. Its significance extends beyond Poro Power, providing a practical example of African money financing African projects and a structure that could be replicated across the continent.

“Poro Power demonstrates that African financial institutions have both the capital and the expertise to finance large-scale renewable energy infrastructure through our own markets,” said Sameh Shenouda, Executive Board Member and Chief Investment Officer of AFC. “By combining the protections required for long-term project finance with the flexibility of capital markets, we have created a structure that can attract a broader range of African investors. This is an important model for mobilising the investment needed to expand reliable electricity supply, support industry and accelerate the energy transition across the region.”

Once operational, the plant is projected to avoid approximately 72,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually — equivalent to taking around 15,600 petrol-powered cars off the road for a year.

The project includes a commitment to allocate €0.01 for every megawatt-hour of electricity generated towards to initiatives intended to benefit local communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

 



 

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