Shell Weighs Sale of $2B-plus Share in Queensland LNG
Royal Dutch Shell is considering raising more than $2 billion from the sale of a stake in the common facilities at its Queensland Curtis LNG plant in Australia, according to a sale flyer reviewed by Reuters."Royal Dutch Shell plc is considering a sale of a 26.25% interest in the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) Common Facilities - a multibillion-dollar investment opportunity," the sale flyer said.The sale process is being run by Rothschild & Co and is due to be completed in 2020, the document showed.Shell declined to comment on what it called market speculation.
Gastech Postponed for 2021
Gastech, one of the world's largest gas, LNG and energy industries events has been postponed for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The event was expected to take place in Singapore in September this year, however, the organizers have now decided to delay the event to September 13 to 16, 2021.Organizers dmg events said the decision had been based on concerns around the global pandemic, accessibility and for the wellbeing of speakers, delegates, exhibitors and visitors. Nick Ornstien, Vice President Energy for dmg events…
New Hospital Planned for Russian Village Building Novatek's LNG Plant
Russia's Arctic region of Murmansk plans to build a new temporary hospital in a village where a vital liquefied natural gas supply plant is being built after an outbreak of the new coronavirus.Murmansk governor Andrey Chibis said the authorities had contained the outbreak in Belokamenka, where Russian gas producer Novatek is building the plant, and construction of the plant had not been suspended.But the Murmansk region, which borders Finland and Norway, must be prepared for a possible second wave of the virus, he said."We clearly understand that the virus is likely to stay for a long time," Chibis told Reuters by telephone.
US LNG Exports Drop More Than a Third
U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are down by more than a third since governments started imposing lockdowns to stop the spread of the coronavirus.Worldwide gas prices have plunged as lockdowns squeezed energy demand even as strong renewables output boosted supply. Gas prices are more expensive now in the United States than in Europe for the first time in a decade.Buyers in Asia and Europe have already canceled over 20 U.S. LNG cargoes for June and July, and more cancellations are anticipated.Gas flows to U.S. LNG export plants fell from a record 9.5 billion cubic feet per day in late March to a six-month low of 5.6 bcfd this week…
Qatar Petroleum to Cut Spending by 30%
Qatar Petroleum will slash its spending by around 30% this year in the face of the sharp drop in oil and gas prices due to the coronavirus epidemic, its Chief Executive said on Thursday.Speaking during a webcast organized by the U.S-Qatar Business Council, Saad al-Kaabi however said that plans to sharply expand Qatar Petroleum's liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity by the middle of the decade remain on track."We are going through budget revisions... In June we will be somewhere in the range of 30% reduction in expenditure…
Total Secures $14.4 Bln Funding for Mozambique LNG
French energy major Total has secured $14.4 billion funding for its Mozambique liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, two sources said on Wednesday.A source with knowledge of the matter said Total has reached a financing agreement with a group that includes around 20 lenders for the first phase of senior debt funding of $14.4 billion. The source did not specify the name of the banks involved in the financial arrangement.Total declined to comment. Bloomberg reported earlier on Wednesday that Total was set to sign $15 billion financing for the project in June.The company expects the financing to be closed in the third quarter…
EXIM Bank Amends Mozambique LNG Loan. Earmarks $1.8B for Offshore Work
The U.S. EXIM Bank has amended its previously approved September 2019 direct loan supporting U.S. exports for the development and construction of the Total-operated LNG project located on the Afungi Peninsula in northern Mozambique.The original scope of the $4.7 billion loan for the project has been amended from exclusively the onshore portion of the LNG plant and related facilities to also allocate an estimated $1.8 billion to support the project’s offshore production. "As a result, the transaction now will support an increased number—16,700—of estimated American jobs over the five-year construction period," EXIM said Friday.The number of U.S.
Japan Spot LNG Import Prices Hit Record Low
Prices for spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes imported into Japan, the world's biggest buyer of the fuel, fell in April to their lowest since the country's trade ministry started compiling data in 2014. The latest low for LNG cargoes into Japan - reflecting actual prices paid rather than those derived from surveys or indices - highlights the evisceration of demand for gas, along with other commodities, brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak has turned markets on their heads, with U.S. oil prices slipping into negative territory during April and in Japan…
Virus Lockdowns Pummel Global Gas Demand, Force LNG Output Cuts
Lockdowns to slow the coronavirus pandemic are pummelling gas demand in the world's biggest buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), pushing Asia's spot prices to record lows and forcing some suppliers to start cutting output. Economies worldwide have ground to a halt as virus containment measures have taken their toll, slashing gas demand for power generation, heating, cooking, vehicles and chemical manufacture. The world's biggest LNG markets - Japan, China, South Korea, and India - are all seeing a drop in demand. Asia's spot LNG prices dropped to $1.85 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) last week…
Woodside Watching Supermajors' Woes for Opportunities
Woodside Petroleum is keeping a close eye out for assets that might come up for grabs from the oil supermajors amid the oil market rout, seeing itself in a position to bid, Chief Executive Peter Coleman said on Friday.The head of Australia's top independent gas producer said, however, deals were unlikely until the third or fourth quarter of this year."We are watching closely the super majors," Coleman told reporters on a conference call the day after Woodside's annual meeting.He said Woodside was watching how the supermajors…
Inpex Sells Ichthys LNG at Record Low
Inpex sold a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Australia's Ichthys plant for loading in May at what traders say is a record low price.Inpex had offered two cargoes for loading in May and has sold at least one of them at about $1.70 to $1.75 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), four traders said.The cargo was sold on a delivered ex-ship (DES) basis, two of them said. Details of the buyer and the second cargo could not immediately be confirmed. (Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Sinopec Building LNG Storage Tanks at Tianjin Terminal
China's energy giant Sinopec has started building storage tanks in the second phase of its Tianjin terminal project to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG), the company said in a statement.The plan for the second phase is to have five LNG tanks, with storage capacity of 220,000 cubic metres each, and a new berth for LNG vessels.After the project is completed in end-2021, the LNG receiving capacity at the terminal will expand to 10.8 million tonnes per annum from the current 6 million tonnes.So far, the terminal has received 11.21 million tonnes of LNG since the first phase of the project was launched in March 2018.(Reporting by Muyu Xu and Shivani
BP Issues Force Majeure Notice for Golar FLNG Unit
Golar LNG Ltd said on Tuesday that it received a force majeure notice from a BP Plc unit seeking to delay taking delivery of a floating liquefied natural gas facility by a year.The notice is the latest force majeure claim issued in the LNG sector that is struggling with a seasonal plunge in demand as well as the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, which has further hammered the consumption of the super-chilled fuel globally.BP is expecting a one-year delay due to the pandemic and currently sees no possibility in reducing the duration of the new timing…
Exxon Cuts Spending by $10B
Exxon Mobil Corp on Tuesday throttled back a multi-year investment spree in shale, LNG and deep water oil production and will cut planned capital spending this year by $10 billion as the coronavirus pandemic saps energy demand and oil prices.Oil companies are reversing 2020 spending and production increases by an average 20% as countries limit air travel, order businesses to close and tell residents to stay home. In a one-two punch to suppliers, crude prices are down nearly 60% this year and demand for fuels is falling sharply.The largest U.S.
Tankers Carrying U.S. LNG Heading to China After Tax Waivers Granted
Tankers carrying U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) are on their way to China after Beijing started granting tax waivers to some importers, according to shipping and trade sources.This is the first time since March 2019 that shipments have resumed after a long-standing trade war that saw China raise tariffs on LNG imports from the United States to 25% last year.Four LNG tankers are currently en route to China after loading cargoes last month in the United States, ship-tracking data from Refinitiv and data intelligence firm Kpler showed.The tankers are expected to arrive in China between late April and early May, according to the data.
Shell to Exit Lake Charles LNG Project
Royal Dutch Shell said on Monday it will exit the Lake Charles liquefied natural gas export project in Louisiana, citing the plunge in oil prices due to the coronavirus pandemic.The project is a 50-50 venture with U.S. midstream company Energy Transfer, which said in a separate statement it will take over development of the project.(Reporting by Shradha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni)
Yamal LNG Resumes Loading Operations in Norway
Yamal LNG, controlled by Russia's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Novatek, is resuming ship-to-ship transfers in Norway, Novatek said on Monday, after plans to shift the operations to Russia fell through due to coronavirus.Novatek suspended transfers in Norway in June last year due to what it termed "pressure from the West".According to Refinitiv Eikon data, the Arc7 tanker Vladimir Vize is due to arrive at the Norwegian Arctic port of Honningsvag on April 1, carrying a cargo from Yamal LNG.The data also showed that an empty Arc4 tanker…
Fully Laden LNG Tankers Sit Idle Off Indian Ports after Force Majeure
At least five fully-laden liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are idling offshore India, as yet unable to discharge their cargoes, after importers there declared force majeure earlier this week, according to an analyst and shipping sources.Gas demand is falling globally amid the fast-spreading coronavirus which has capped industrial output, forcing LNG tankers in several regions to remain at sea fully laden with no immediate destination, the sources said.At least three major buyers in India, the world's fourth largest LNG importing country…
Indian LNG Importers Issue Force Majeure Notices
Indian liquefied natural gas (LNG) importers have started to issue force majeure notices as domestic gas demand slumps and as port operations in the country get hit by a lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, sources told Reuters."Demand has reduced drastically and it is likely to go down further, a company source with Gail (India) said."Only fertilizer, power and refineries are running at parcel loads.
Mozambique Army, Islamist Insurgents Battle Near Gas projects
Mozambican troops battled Islamist insurgents in a town in a northern town on Monday close to billion-dollar gas projects being developed by ExxonMobil and Total, police said.The General Commander of Mozambique's police, Bernardino Rafael, said the insurgents attacked Mocimboa da Praia and its army barracks before dawn on Monday, wounding dozens of people.Mocimboa da Praia is about 350 km (220 miles) by road from the city of Pemba in Mozambique's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado and is just south of the Afungi peninsula, where gas projects worth $60 billion are located.The town is strategically important to the projects.
Taiwan Gets 1st Carbon Neutral LNG Shipment
Taiwan accepted its first carbon neutral shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG). State-owned CPC Corporation, a natural gas, and gasoline company in Taiwan announced receipt of LNG cargo from Shell.Nature-based carbon credits have been used to compensate the full carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated – from exploring for and producing the natural gas, to use by the final consumer.The cargo, which was delivered at the Yung-An LNG Receiving Terminal, will provide enough carbon neutral LNG to power nearly 150,000 homes for a year.Credits used for this deal are purchased from Shell’s global portfolio of nature-based projects…
BV Appoves Cryo-Powered Regas System Design
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has issued the first approval in principle for a new cold energy ‘Cryo-Powered’ regas system for use in FSRU applications.The approval has been issued to both Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME). The ‘Cryo-Powered Regas’ system is a cold power generation technology based on the Organic Rankine Cycle - a proven technology used in multiple onshore LNG terminals for decades.This will be the first time the system has been developed for use in a floating terminal.
Sempra to Decide on U.S., Mexican LNG Export Plants in 2020
California energy company Sempra Energy said on Thursday it expects to make final investment decisions (FID) this year to build two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants - one in the United States and one in Mexico:Sempra said it plans to make FIDs on the first phase of the Costa Azul export plant in Baja California in Mexico in the first quarter and the Port Arthur export plant in Texas in the third quarter.At Costa Azul, Sempra has said Energia Costa Azul LNG has non-binding 20-year agreements with units of Total…
India Set to Import Record LNG Volumes
India is set to import record volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) this month, data shows, taking advantage of the super-chilled fuel's price hitting all-time lows due to the coronavirus outbreak dampening demand in China. The South Asian nation is estimated to import about 2.36 million tonnes in February, shiptracking data from Refinitiv Eikon showed. That would exceed India's LNG imports in October of about 2.3 million tonnes, the previous highest monthly total. The country's annual LNG imports is expected to rise by 10%-15% this year, said Poorna Rajendran of consultancy firm FGE.
Global LNG Demand to Double by 2040: Shell
Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG), rose by 12.5% to hit 359 million tons last year, according to Royal Dutch Shell’s annual LNG Outlook report.According to the forecast by Shell, LNG demand was expected to double by 2040 to 700 million tons, with natural gas set to play “a growing role in shaping a lower-carbon energy system.”Asia is expected to remain the dominant region in the decades to come, with South and South-east Asia generating more than half of the increased demand.Natural gas emits between 45 and…
Nakilat Posts Record Net Profit of $270M
Doha-listed LNG and LPG carrier owner Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat) reported a consolidated net profit of QR1,003m (USD $270 million) in 2019, an increase of 12.4 percent, as compared to QR892m posted for the same period in 2018.The 2019 net profit is Nakilat’s highest profit recorded since its inception, said the Qatari shipping and maritime company.Nakilat's robust financial performance is primarily attributed to operational excellence in the management of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessels…
Shell, Qatargas Sign LNG Deal for Kuwait
The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Qatargas has signed a new, long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Shell to deliver 1 million tons per annum of LNG to Kuwait, commencing this year.Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs said, “We are pleased to announce this new long term agreement between Qatargas and Shell for the supply of LNG to the State of Kuwait, following the recent agreement signed between Qatar Petroleum and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. These agreements demonstrate our commitment to the State of Kuwait…
Total in 10-Year LNG Bunkering Pact with Pavilion
Temasek-owned Pavilion Energy has signed a 10-year fully-termed agreement to jointly develop an LNG bunker supply chain in the port of Singapore with Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS), a subsidiary of French energy conglomerate Total SA.Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised on signing the contract.The agreement includes the shared long-term use of 12,000 cu m LNG bunker vessel (LNGBV). In February this year Pavilion chartered an LNGBV newbuilding from Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) which is currently being…
Australia Becomes World's Largest LNG Exporter
Australia has become the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in the world. The record figure knocked Qatar out of the top spot."Australia is set to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter this year, overtaking Qatar, with its supplies expected to reach 81 million tonnes (MT) as Ichthys LNG and Prelude FLNG increase production," Rystad Energy said.Meanwhile, Qatari exports will remain at current levels, around 77 MT. The US will increase LNG exports from about 36 MT in 2019 to 56 MT in 2020, dominating new LNG supply contributions.
Total Rejects Force Majeure Notice From Chinese LNG Buyer
French oil major Total has rejected a force majeure notice from a buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in China, a Total executive said during the company's full-year results presentation on Thursday."Some Chinese customers, at least one, are trying to use the coronavirus to say I have force majeure," said Philippe Sauquet, head of Total's gas, renewables and power segment."We have received one force majeure that we have rejected."A Chinese international trade promotion agency said last week it would offer force majeure…
Coronavirus Paralyzes Oil, Gas Sales into China
Short-term sales of crude oil and liquefied natural gas into China almost ground to a halt this week as the coronavirus slows economic activity and cuts demand and buyers ponder legal action to avoid having to honor purchase agreements, trade sources said.Typically, trade would have revived after the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January, but China has extended the break into February to try to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has claimed nearly 500 lives.As a result, commodity supply chains have been disrupted with shipments cancelled or delayed and stocks piling up…
LNG Tanker Diverted from China in Sign of Weaker Demand
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker that had been heading to China has been diverted, data intelligence firm Kpler and two industry sources said on Tuesday, probably due to lower demand for the fuel as businesses are hit by the coronavirus outbreak.The Tangguh Foja tanker loaded a cargo at the Tangguh LNG plant in Indonesia last month and had been heading to China's Rudong terminal in Jiangsu province, Refinitiv shipping data shows.It was diverted towards the South China Sea on Jan. 30 and is now between Vietnam and Borneo…
Partners to Expand Pakistan LNG Inport Terminal
Excelerate Energy announced it has agreed with partner Engro Elengy Terminal Ltd. (EETL) to expand the EETL liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Port Qasim, Pakistan.Under the heads of agreement (HOA), Excelerate will exchange its existing floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Exquisite with a newbuild FSRU, Hull 2477, which is currently under construction at South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard and due to be delivered in April 2020. The newbuild will increase EETL’s…
Cheniere Drops Lawsuit Against Tellurian Board Members
Tellurian Inc on Thursday said Cheniere Energy Inc has dismissed all claims against its Chairman Charif Souki and Vice Chairman Martin Houston.Cheniere Energy, the largest U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, had sued its former chairman and chief executive, Souki, in February 2019, alleging he conspired to help finance a joint venture that led to the formation of rival Tellurian.Tellurian is developing an LNG export plant in Louisiana called Driftwood, which is one of about a dozen of LNG export projects under development in North America.(Reporting by Eileen Soreng in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
LNG and Shipping Decarbonisation Target
Though liquefied natural gas (LNG) could help the shipping industry to reach its decarbonization target, it could wreck the climate, finds a study.According to a research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), switching vessels to the LNG fuel would only serve to worsen shipping’s climate impact due to previously underestimated leakage of the climate super-pollutant methane.More and more ships, including container ships and cruise ships, are being built to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which…
Cheniere Energy Ships 1,000th LNG Cargo
US-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) firm Cheniere Energy has produced and exported its 1,000th cargo of LNG.The Houston-based LNG exporter said in a press note that the 1000th cargo was exported within a four-year time period after startup, setting an industry record and making Cheniere the fastest producer in the world to reach this milestone.Cheniere has produced these 1,000 cargoes from both the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project (SPL Project) and the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project (CCL Project).“Reaching 1,000 cargoes of LNG faster than any producer in history is a testament to the performance of our people and the culture of our company.
PGNiG: Polish LNG Import Jumps Up
LNG imports to Poland via the Świnoujście LNG Terminal keep rising and stood at 3.4 billion cubic metres in 2019 after regasification, up from 2.7 bcm the year before."The first quarter of 2020 will see peak activity in terms of LNG deliveries. By the end of March this year alone we are to receive ten cargoes coming in from different directions,” said Jerzy Kwieciński, President of the PGNIG S.A. Management Board.The long-term take-or-pay contract with Gazprom via the Yamal pipeline means Russia is still Poland’s dominant supplier.
Annova LNG Sign Deal with Enbridge
Houston liquefied natural gas company Annova LNG has signed a 20-year supply deal with Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company that owns a 10.5 percent stake in Annova's proposed export terminal.The precedent agreement with Enbridge Inc.’s Valley Crossing Pipeline LLC (VCP) would provide transportation for the still unsanctioned 6.5 million metric tons/year (mmty) facility, which was approved by federal regulators in November.Under the deal, the existing 2.6 Bcf/d VCP from Agua Dulce to Brownsville would be expanded, and…
Aramco Sells LNG Cargo to S-Oil
Aramco Trading Co, the trading arm of oil giant Saudi Aramco, has sold a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to South Korea's S-Oil Corp, as the company looks to ramp up its LNG business, four industry sources said on Wednesday.The cargo is for delivery in early March and was traded on a delivered ex-ship (DES) basis, the sources said.The cargo was sold at around $4.40 to $4.60 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), two of the sources said, though this could not immediately be confirmed.Companies typically do not comment on spot deals.Aramco Overseas Company, a unit of Saudi Aramco, is a major shareholder in S-Oil, which is South Korea's third-l
Osaka Gas Looks to Sell Spare LNG in Europe
Japan's Osaka Gas has offered two liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the newly-commissioned Freeport LNG project in the United States for delivery into Europe, industry sources said.Mild weather in Japan and a weaker Chinese economy have helped to drag the global LNG market to multi-year lows and forced Asian sellers to seek alternative markets.Osaka Gas has offered the cargoes for delivery into Europe between July 5 and 13 and Nov. 9 and 17, said three of the sources, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the press.Bids, which are linked to Dutch TTF prices, are due by Jan.
Asia LNG Spot Prices Drop to Multi-year Low
Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) spot prices dropped to multi-year lows on Tuesday with at least one cargo being sold into Northeast Asia below the psychological barrier of $4 per million British thermal units (mmBtu).Gas prices are tumbling globally as new projects sanctioned when prices were higher ramp up output just as economic growth slows. A milder than usual winter in North Asia is also curbing demand.Low spot prices will particularly hit companies which purchase LNG through long-term contracts, selling on to end-users at market prices, traders said.
Malaysia in Shanghai LNG Supply Pact
Malaysian state-run giant Petroliam Nasional (Petronas) subsidiary Petronas LNG (PLL) has signed a 12-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with China’s Shenergy Group. Under the terms of the 12-year heads of agreement (HOA), Petronas LNG will supply approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG to Shenergy’s Wuhaogou receiving terminal.Additionally, the LNG supply agreement involves a shipping collaboration to construct and charter new mid-sized LNG vessels. The deal is effective from 2022.Through this new long-term agreement…
Freeport LNG Kicks Off Train 2
US-based Freeport LNG has started commercial operations at its second of three planned liquefaction trains.Freeport LNG Train 3 remains on track to meet its previously announced schedule, with initial production of LNG scheduled for Q1 of 2020, said McDermott International, Inc. with its partners, Chiyoda International Corporation and Zachry Group."We continue to advance the Freeport LNG Project with another significant accomplishment, the commercial operation of Train 2," said Mark Coscio, McDermott's Senior Vice President for North…
Qatargas Delivers 1st Cargo to Summit LNG
The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) has delivered the first Q-Flex cargo of the chilled fuel to the Summit LNG floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) located offshore Bangladesh.The cargo, aboard Qatargas-chartered 'Al Safliya', was loaded at Ras Laffan Port on 27 December 2019 and delivered to the FSRU on 14 January 2020.This is the first commercial open water ship-to-ship transfer involving a Q-Flex vessel delivering to Petrobangla (LNG buyers) at their Summit LNG Terminal (SLNG).SLNG is a project jointly developed by Excelerate Energy and the Bangladesh Oil…
Gassco Urges to Boost Barents Sea Gas Export
Norwegian state-owned natural gas pipelines operator Gassco published a study saying that it could be profitable to increase the transport capacity for gas.According to the study regarding the transport of gas from the southern Barents Sea several gas transport options from the Barents Sea, including a new pipeline, could prove profitable with today’s known resources.The report, "Assessment of gas transport alternatives in the southern Barents Sea", was presented to Minister of Petroleum and Energy Sylvi Listhaug on Monday.The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) contributed in the preparation of the report.
NOAA: Oregon LNG Pipeline Will Have Minimal Impact
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said its analysis found that the construction and operation of a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Coos Bay, Ore. and its associated pipeline will have minimal impact on protected species and their habitats.NOAA Fisheries issued a final biological opinion on construction and operation of the Jordan Cove terminal and the associated 229-mile long Pacific Connector LNG pipeline. After conducting a thorough review, NOAA scientists determined that the…
Sempra LNG, Aramco Sign Deal
North American energy infrastructure company Sempra Energy and Saudi Aramco's Aramco Services Company, signed an Interim Project Participation Agreement for the Port Arthur LNG export project under development in Jefferson County, Texas.According to a press release, the IPPA represents another milestone for both companies after having signed a heads of agreement in May last year for the purchase of 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 25% equity investment in the Port Arthur LNG project.Jeffrey W.
Kuwait Signs 15-yr LNG Gas Deal with Qatar
State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp signed a 15-year agreement with Qatar Petroleum to import three million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) each year starting from 2022.The agreement was signed by Dr. Khaled A. Al-Fadhel, the Minister of Oil and the Minister of Electricity & Water, the Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, during a special ceremony held in Kuwait City.Under the 15-year agreement…
Europe Dominates LNG Import Story in 2019
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) production jumped in 2019, triggering oversupply and low prices that are expected to persist in 2020. Initial full-year data from LNG Edge shows exports at 355 million tonnes in 2019, up from 314.9 million tonnes in 2018.This represents the largest ever increase in production.While East Asian, especially Chinese, demand increased in 2017 and 2018 to absorb additional production, there was little change this year. Instead, supply pushed into Europe reached a record high, having a major…
Asian LNG Prices Little Changed in Quiet Trade
Asian spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) were little changed this week amid quiet trade and low liquidity.The average LNG price for February delivery into northeast Asia was estimated at around $5.10-$5.20 per million British thermal units (mmBtu)."Demand is still weak following the Christmas and New Year holidays and there is plenty of supply," an LNG trader said.A new gas transit deal struck between Russia and Ukraine last month, which will see Moscow supply Europe for at least another five years, has eased market…
KN Bags $148Mn Loan for its LNG Terminal
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Lithuanian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil terminal operator AB 'Klaipedos Nafta' (KN) have signed a EUR 134.1 million (USD 148 million) loan agreement to optimize costs of LNG terminal.The 25-year maturity loan will be directed to finance the rent payable for the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU).“Through this loan agreement we are continuing to support Lithuania´s security of energy supply, a strategically important objective for our member country”, said Henrik Normann…
NLNG Okays Train 7
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell, Total, and ENI on Friday signed the final investment decision (FID) to give the go-ahead for the construction of Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project.The new train is expected to boost output by 35% to 30 million tonnes per year, NLNG said in a statement, and will arrest a decline in Nigeria’s LNG output. NLNG operates six LNG processing units, known as trains, on Bonny Island. Nigeria LNG said it would boost its liquefied natural gas output by more than 30%.According to reports…
Yamal LNG Starts Using New Storage Tank
Novatek, the largest independent natural gas producer in Russia, started using a dedicated LNG transshipment tank at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium.Novatek booked the tank’s capacity as part of a 20-year transshipment agreement between Yamal LNG’s unit Yamal Trade and Fluxys LNG.The dedicated LNG tank was built specifically for the transshipment needs of Yamal LNG with a capacity of 180,000 cubic meters, allowing the Project to transship up to 8 million tons of LNG per annum.“The LNG tank construction for Yamal LNG began in Zeebrugge in 2015 and its commissioning is a key milestone for the Project…
Nigeria LNG Inks FID for Train 7
Nigeria LNG (NLNG) signed a long-awaited final investment decision on its Train 7 processing unit in Abuja on Friday, taking a step forward in increasing its liquefied natural gas production.NNPC and partners Eni, Total and Shell attended the signing ceremony for Train 7, which is expected to boost Nigeria's LNG output by 35% to 30 million tonnes per year.The agreement is a bright spot for Nigeria, a nation rich in oil and gas that has been working for years, with limited success, to boost its output of both resources.It also marks a moment of amity with international oil majors…
Louisiana LNG Unit Starts Production
Train 2 of the Cameron LNG project in Hackberry, Louisiana, has begun producing liquefied natural gas (LNG), announced McDermott International and its joint venture partner, Chiyoda International Corporation, a U.S.-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiyoda Corporation, Japan.While production is in the initial phases, this significant project accomplishment is a precursor to substantial completion of Train 2."This accomplishment is attributable to the entire team's unwavering commitment to project delivery and steadfast focus on safety and quality performance as we work toward completion of Train 2…
Woodside Finalizes Gas Deal with Uniper
Oil and gas producer Woodside Petroleum Ltd said on Tuesday it has signed an agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to German utility Uniper SE for 13 years starting 2021.Under the agreement, Woodside said it would initially supply up to 0.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG, which could increase to 1 Mtpa from 2025.However, supply from 2025 remains conditional upon a final investment decision related to the company's Scarborough project off northwestern Australia.Woodside is looking to develop Scarborough to feed a new 5 Mtpa production unit, called a train, at its Pluto LNG plant in Western Australia.The finalization of the deal fo
Planned $2 Bln LNG Project Shelved in the Philippines
Plans for the $2 billion Tanglawan LNG hub venture in the Philippines have been put on hold by backers CNOOC Gas and Power of China and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc.The facility was supposed to have a capacity of 2.2 million tonnes per year, with a targeted start-up by 2023. To support it, Phoenix also planned to build a 2,000-megawatt power plant.The two firms jointly requested the Department of Energy (DOE) put the project on hold after Phoenix parent Udenna Corp acquired a 45% stake in the Malampaya natural gas consortium, Phoenix said.(Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; editing by Jason Neely)
LNG Suited for Select VLCC Routes
SEA\LNG has released the results of its third investment study, which underlines liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a compelling investment solution for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) on the Arabian Gulf to China trade route.Conducted by Opsiana, the study demonstrates benefits of LNG as a marine fuel for a newbuild 300K DWT VLCC on the Arabian Gulf to China trade route, in comparison with other alternatives currently available and scalable to the shipping industry across three fuel pricing scenarios.The business case compares…
Yamal LNG Gets All 15 Arc7 Ice-Class Tankers
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Yamal LNG announced the operational start of the new Arc7 ice-class LNG tanker “Yakov Gakkel”, the fifteenth and final Arc7 ice-class tanker built specifically for the Project.The Yakov Gakkel has loaded the 354th LNG cargo in the port of Sabetta bound to China, said a press note.The vessel was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and is owned and operated by a 50-50 joint venture by Teekay LNG and China LNG Shipping. It is one of six vessel owned and…
Wison Begins Arctic LNG 2 Project
Wison Offshore & Marine (WOM), the upstream oil and gas division of Chinese conglomerate Wison Group Holding, announced the fabrication of Arctic LNG 2 Project (ALNG2 Project) commenced in Zhoushan Yard.The module fabrication contract was awarded by Technip France S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TechnipFMC.Novatek, client of ALNG2 project, is the largest independent natural gas producer in Russia. ALNG2 project comprises three LNG trains at 6.6 million tons per annum each. WOM’s work scope is engineering, procurement…
Malaysian State Open to Buying Petronas Stake
Malaysia's Terengganu state said on Wednesday it was open to buying a stake in national energy giant Petronas, after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he was considering such a sale to raise funds for his heavily-indebted federal government.Petronas, the world's third-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, is one of the biggest sources of revenue for the federal government that has a debt pile of more than 1 trillion ringgit ($239 billion).Mahathir told Reuters on Tuesday that the government could sell Petronas shares privately to states such as Sarawak…
Ocean LNG Leads in Contracted Capacity
Ocean LNG has dominated in terms of long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) import volumes for contracts signed by key purchasing companies for the year 2019, with almost 47% of the global contracted capacity.According to a report by GlobalData, Ocean LNG signed the biggest long-term LNG contract for 2019 with Golden Pass Products. According to the contract, Golden Pass Products will supply Ocean LNG with 15.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG for a period of 20 years, from 2024 to 2044.The gas will be supplied from the Golden Pass II LNG liquefaction terminal in Texas…
Milorad Doljanin New CEO of Avenir LNG
UK-based small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier Avenir LNG announced that Milorad Doljanin will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer with effect December 13th, 2019.According to a press release from the shipping venture backed by Stolt-Nielsen, Golar LNG and Höegh LNG, Doljanin joined in August 2019 as COO.He brings 15 years of LNG trading and commercial experience with PetroChina, Gazprom, EON and BP.Commenting on his appointment, Milorad said “This is an exciting time for Avenir LNG, a company which is…
Cheniere Seeks U.S. OK to Return Louisiana Sabine LNG Tank
Cheniere Energy Inc asked U.S. energy and safety regulators to approve a process that would allow the company to return to service a storage tank that leaked at its Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant in Louisiana:* Cheniere, the biggest U.S. LNG exporter, said in a filing earlier this week that its proposed process would prioritize work on one tank, known as S-101, and allow that tank to return to service in the near term.* The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) ordered Cheniere to shut two tanks at Sabine on Feb. 8, 2018, after plant workers on Jan.
Petronas in Game for a Third FLNG Unit
Malaysian oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) would build a third floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG)unit if there’s a demand.Petronas is the only company to own and operate two FLNGs, namely PFLNG Satu and PFLNG Dua.Bernama reported, quoting the gas and new energy business executive vice-president and chief executive officer Adnan Zainal Abidin, that if there is a reservoir with a sizeable amount of reserves and with the right gas composition that it is economically viable, it opens up a case for another floater.According to the Bernama report…
Yamal LNG Exceeds Nameplate Capacity
Yamal LNG, a liquefied natural gas plant located in Sabetta at the north-east of the Yamal Peninsula, Russia, announced that since the beginning of 2019, the LNG plant produced more than 16.5 million tons of LNG.The Project exceeded its annual nameplate production capacity during the first eleven months of the year, when all three LNG trains were in operation, as the third LNG train was launched at the end of 2018.Yamal LNG has reached 25 million tons of LNG shipped since the start-up of Train 1 in December 2017, and has…
K Line, FueLNG Team-up on LNG Bunker
Japanese shipping firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has announced that it has concluded a ship management agreement with FueLNG Pte Ltd for a 7500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel (LBV).FueLNG will own and operate the vessel, as well as carry out all commercial operations, said K Line press statement.The partnership will combine K Line’s extensive ship management and LNG transportation experience with FueLNG’s LNG bunkering expertise, which includes more than 160 truck-to-ship LNG bunkering operations conducted to-date. This will provide a reliable…
Petronas Names Second FLNG in S. Korea
Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas named its second floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, the PFLNG Dua, in a ceremony in Geoje, South Korea.The floating LNG facility is designed to extract gas from deepwater gas reservoirs in depths up to 1,500 meters.With PFLNG Dua, the national oil and gas company of Malaysia owns and operates two floating LNG facilities, following the success of PFLNG Satu which has been in operation since 2017. This achievement demonstrates Petronas’ strong position in the LNG industry…
Cheap LNG from Qatar Imperils N.American Projects
Proposed projects to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from North America face an uphill battle against Qatar, which announced plans to further ramp up production to hold onto its position as the world's leading LNG exporter.The United States is on track to overtake Qatar and Australia as the top LNG exporter by 2024, but now will only hold that title for a few years as Qatar announced this week it will boost production by 64% by 2027.Qatar's plans add another headwind for dozens of long-in-development projects already…
Qatar Ups LNG Production by 64% to 126 MTPA by 2027
Qatar Petroleum has announced that it will raise Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 126 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2027, representing an increase of 64% from the current 77 mtpa.The announcement was made by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, at a press conference held in Doha, during which he also announced that new studies have revealed that the North Field’s productive layers extend well into Qatari land in Ras Laffan, paving the way for a new LNG production project in the north of Qatar.Al-Kaabi said: “During the past two years…
NYK, Pertamina Ink Energy Transport MOU
As demand for energy transportation, especially liquefied natural gas (LNG), is expected to increase in Indonesia, NYK and PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero) agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for energy transportation.The framework of the deal sees Pertamina, the largest oil and natural gas corporation in the state, and NYK in a strategic partners in energy transportation and covers ownership and management. The companies have already started discussions concerning a detailed joint business…
Fed Okays Rio Grande LNG Project
NextDecade Corporation announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued an order authorizing the siting, construction and operation of its proposed Rio Grande LNG export facility in Brownsville, Texas.“Issuance of the FERC order marks an extremely important milestone for our project,” said Matt Schatzman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Texas-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) development company.“We appreciate the comprehensive and rigorous review of our project conducted by the FERC and numerous other federal…
US Signs Highest LNG Export Contract
US signed highest volume of global long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) export contracts in 2019, accounting for around a 67% of global share. Abundant shale gas production in the US has enabled the country to export natural gas as LNG. to global markets. According to GlobalData, the US has signed five long-term contracts in 2019 for the export of 22.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG. Of these, the contract signed between Golden Pass Products and Ocean LNG Limited had the highest export volumes with 15.6mtpa.LNG will be supplied from the Golden Pass II LNG liquefaction terminal in Texas for 20 years from 2024 to 2044.Sunrita Dutta…
Avenir LNG in Brazilian Pact with Golar Power
Small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier Avenir LNG announced that it will collaborate with the Bermuda-registered Golar Power in developing the small-scale LNG market in Brazil.Avenir’s second 7,500 cbm LNG Carrier will be used to deliver LNG to various ports across Brazil upon delivery. The vessel will also offer ship-to-ship bunkering capability as part of Avenir’s global multi-nodal bunkering solution; adding to the Colombian, Mediterranean and Malaysian nodes which the company currently offers.Commenting on the collaboration with Golar Power…
Woodside Sees Reserve Base Tripling
Australia's Woodside Petroleum on Tuesday laid out plans to triple its gas and oil reserve base as it pursues projects worth over $36 billion in Australia, Senegal and Myanmar.Success in those projects would result in its reserve base reaching 3.7 billion barrels over the next seven years and help Woodside expand production by 6% a year over the next decade, it said."We believe we now have a compelling growth story," Woodside Chief Executive Peter Coleman told an analysts briefing in Sydney.Coleman's comments highlight Woodside's bullish view as crunch time approaches on major projects.
AG&P Invests in Kanfer Shipping, Eyes LNG
Global downstream gas and LNG logistics company Atlantic Gulf & Pacific (AG&P) has made a strategic equity investment in Norway-based Kanfer Shipping.Kanfer is a developer of small-scale LNG sea transportation, maritime break-bulk solutions, floating storage facilities as well as LNG bunkering. Together, Kanfer and AG&P will make LNG more accessible and commercially viable for downstream customers in new and growing natural gas markets."Kanfer has captured the attention of the global LNG maritime infrastructure industry with its patented…
Poland Ends Major Russian LNG Contract
Poland's state gas company PGNiG says it had notified Russia's Gazprom that it will not renew their long-term deal on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies when the agreement expires after 2022.In accordance with the provisions of the Yamal Contract, three years prior to its original termination date, i.e. by December 31st, 2019, the parties are required to submit a declaration whether or not they intend to continue their contractual relationship beyond 2022.Gazprom Export, the gas-exporting arm of state-controlled Gazprom…
Exceptional Growth in LNG Trade, Says Awilco
The exceptional growth in LNG trade recorded in the first half of the 2019 continued in Q3, says Awilco LNG Group, the Norwegian based fully integrated pure play LNG transportation provider.According to Fearnleys LNG total LNG trade is up about 13 % in the first nine months of the year vs last year. In line with normal seasonal patterns gas prices inched upwards in Q3 but remained historically low due to increased production and muted demand in the Far East.Due to a relatively mild winter reducing gas demand for power generation and higher nuclear power generation in Japan and South Korea…
LNG Imports Jump in Poland
Polish state-controlled oil and gas company Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo (PGNiG) has reported a jump in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports for the first three quarters of the year.The volume of LNG imported in the nine months to September 30th 2019 was 27% higher than in the same period of 2018, amounting to 2.48 bcm after regasification, said the gas firm.LNG supplies’ share in total gas imports was about 23%, compared with about 18% a year earlier.The Group received 22 LNG deliveries from the beginning of this year to the end of September…
BP, Total Pact for Adnoc LNG Supply
The state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed agreements with BP and Total to book the majority of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production up to the first quarter of 2022.With the transactions, ADNOC LNG has continued to expand its footprint into new regions and markets, said a press release.“With these new supply agreements, ADNOC LNG has shown that it can react quickly and decisively to changing market conditions while ensuring the security and quality of delivery,’’ said ADNOC LNG CEO, Fatema Al Nuaimi.
