Cheniere Mulls Third Liquefaction Train at Corpus Christi
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Cheniere Energy Inc said it planned to make a final investment decision to build the third liquefaction train at its Corpus Christi LNG export facility in Texas in the first half of 2018:Cheniere said on Friday its Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC subsidiary engaged financial institutions to arrange up to $6.4 billion of credit facilities. The unit already has about $4.6 billion of existing credit facilities.Cheniere said it will use the credit facilities to fund a portion of the costs of developing…
Eni has no plans to pull out of Rosneft deal after sanctions
Chevron Greenlights Gorgon LNG Expansion
Chevron Corp will proceed with the second stage of its giant Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant off the northwest coast of Western Australia, the company said on Saturday.Chevron and its joint venture partners plan to sink 11 new wells in the Gorgon and Jansz-Io fields and build offshore pipelines and subsea structures to pipe the gas to the nearby 15.6 million tonne a year LNG plant on Barrow Island.The $54 billion Gorgon project came on stream in March 2016 but suffered numerous unplanned shutdowns in its early stages.Chevron declined to put a cost on stage two of the project…
To Frack or Not to Frack? Australia's NatGas Dilemma
The decision by the government of Australia's Northern Territory government to allow the resumption of fracking for natural gas will do little to immediately solve the country's energy woes, but will likely sharpen political battle lines. The territory's government said on April 17 that it has lifted a near two-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, accepting the recommendations of its own commission of inquiry into the practice. Northern Territory is a vast, sparsely-populated 1.4 million square kilometre (540,000 square mile) part of central and northern Australia, and home to two potentially rich basins of natural gas.
Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Must Balance Interests - German Minister
Germany's aim with respect to the planned new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia is to enable private infrastructure projects while protecting the justified interests of Ukraine, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said. He was speaking at a joint news conference with European Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who said he welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's commitment to ensuring that Ukraine continues to benefit from gas transit fees. The pipeline, planned by a consortium led by Russian energy giant Gazprom, will reach Germany via the Baltic Sea…
First Cove Point LNG Lifting Departs Maryland
The first contractual liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Dominion Energy Inc's newly constructed Cove Point LNG export plant in Maryland in the United States left the facility on Monday, Thomson Reuters Eikon ship tracking data showed. The cargo is expected to act as a drag on spot LNG prices <LNG-AS> as it coincides with the resumption of exports of the fuel from the Papua New Guinea LNG plant, which had been shut following a powerful earthquake. The 160,000-cubic metre LNG tanker Adam LNG left Cove Point on Monday with a draft of 91 percent, suggesting it was full, according to the data. Its destination was not immediately clear.
US Sanctions Will Push Gazprom CEO into Shadows
Alexey Miller, head of Russian gas giant Gazprom, will have to lower his public profile and delegate to someone else his powers to clinch deals and raise financing now that he has been added to a U.S. sanctions blacklist, analysts said. Washington last week imposed sanctions against several Russian businessmen, companies and government officials, striking at associates of President Vladimir Putin to punish Moscow for a range of activities, including alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. While Gazprom was not affected, Miller himself was added to the so-called Specially-Designated Nationals List, which bars U.S.
LNG exits Fisherman’s Landing Project
Liquefied Natural Gas Limited executed a Share Sale Agreement (the Agreement) with a third-party (the Buyer) for the acquisition of all the shares of LNGL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Gladstone LNG Pty Ltd (Gladstone LNG). In return, LNGL received US$800,000, previously held in a trust account under a previously disclosed Licence Transfer Agreement, and a reimbursement for security deposits posted by Gladstone LNG related to the Fisherman’s Landing project licences. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Buyer secured ownership of the proposed Fisherman’s Landing LNG project…
Bangladesh Finalizes LNG Deal with Oman Trading International
Bangladesh has finalized a 10-year deal to import 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from Oman Trading International, two energy officials with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.The deal with Oman Trading is Bangladesh's second LNG import agreement after Qatari producer RasGas, which has since merged with sister company Qatargas, to cover the country's domestic natural gas shortfall.The LNG will be priced at 11.9 percent of the three-month average price of Brent plus a $0.40 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) constant…
Novatek: Yamal's First Train Plans Maintenance in May
Russia's Novatek said on Friday the first train of its Yamal LNG plant will suspend production some time in May due to planned maintenance.The company also plans to choose partners for a liquefied natural gas complex in Russia's Kamchatka region in coming months, Chief Executive Leonid Mikhelson told reporters.(Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva, writing by Maria Kiselyova Editing by Alexander Smith)
Golar LNG Enters Preliminary Deal for BP FLNG
Golar LNG Limited announced it has entered into a Preliminary Agreement and exchanged Heads of Terms (HoT) for an FLNG vessel for phase 1A of the Greater Tortue / Ahmeyin field, located offshore Mauritania and Senegal.The Preliminary Agreement with BP Mauritania Investments Ltd and BP Senegal Investments Ltd creates obligations on Golar to progress FEED work and be ready for a vessel conversion from July 1, 2018 onward, which would be contingent on Project FID, expected end 2018.The vessel conversion would take place at Keppel Shipyard Ltd…
Freeport LNG Delays Start of Texas Export Terminal
Freeport LNG, a privately held U.S. liquefied natural gas company, said on Thursday it pushed back the projected start date for its $13 billion export terminal under construction in Texas by about nine months to around Sept. 1, 2019.Freeport LNG now expects the first liquefaction train to enter service around Sept. 1, 2019, with the second and third trains seen in service around Jan. 1 and May 1, 2020, respectively, said Zdenek Gerych, a spokesman at Freeport.Previously, the three trains under construction had been expected…
Life Extension for FSO Njord Bravo
Statoil, on behalf of the Njord license, awarded a NOK 1.3 billion ($168 million) contract to Aibel to upgrade the Njord Bravo floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel in the Norwegian Sea.The FSO will be prepared for extended operation of the Njord and Hyme fields, as well as tie-in of two new field developments in the Norwegian Sea, Bauge and Fenja.The job involves extensive vessel upgrades and maintenance, in addition to the installation of equipment on board for reducing emissions to air (VOC facility).Njord Bravo is scheduled to be completed at the turn of the year 2019/2020.“After several good deliveries…
Oil Climbs on Saudi Ambitions, U.S. Stock Draw
Saudi Arabia seen seeking oil price of $80-$100 a barrel as U.S. commercial crude stocks decline towards five-year average. Oil prices kept rising to their highest since late 2014 as U.S. crude inventories declined, moving closer to five-year averages, and after sources told Reuters that top exporter Saudi Arabia aims to push prices even higher. Brent crude futures reached $74.73 a barrel, the highest since Nov. 27, 2014 -- the day OPEC decided to pump as much as it could to defend market share, sending the price to a low of $27 just over a year later. Brent futures were at $74.62 a barrel at 1145 GMT, up $1.14 from the previous close. U.S.
Papua New Guinea LNG Project Resumes Exports
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has left Papua New Guinea laden with the first export cargo of the supercooled fuel since the country's giant LNG project resumed production after a major earthquake triggered a shutdown in February, Thomson Reuters Eikon shiptracking data showed on Monday. The tanker's destination wasn't immediately clear, but the resumption of shipments could put pressure on spot LNG prices, traders said. ExxonMobil Corp restarted output at the project near the capital Port Moresby a fortnight ahead of schedule, its Australian partners said late last week.
Tanzania Seeks Consultancy Service Provider for Delayed LNG Project
Tanzania has invited bids for consultancy services to help the government conclude negotiations with a group of international oil firms on a deal for the construction of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. Tanzania boasts estimated recoverable reserves of over 57 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas. Construction of an LNG export terminal has however been held up by regulatory delays. BG Group, which was acquired by Royal Dutch Shell in 2016, alongside Statoil, Exxon Mobil and Ophir Energy, plan to build a $30 billion onshore LNG export terminal.
ExxonMobil Resumes Production in Papua New Guinea
ExxonMobil said that production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has safely resumed at the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea following a temporary shutdown of operations after a severe earthquake occurred in the region on Feb. 26. LNG exports are expected to resume soon. One train is currently operating at the LNG plant near Port Moresby. The plant’s second train is expected to restart as production is increased over time. During the period that production was shut-in, ExxonMobil was able to complete unrelated maintenance scheduled for later in the year to allow for more efficient operations in the months ahead.
"Fat and lazy" LNG buyers Need Producers Help to Boost Demand
Buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have grown "fat and lazy" on expectations of a surplus of the super-chilled fuel and they now risk a shortage in the early years of the next decade. There's no surprise that this was the view of a LNG project developer, expressed at this week's LNG Asia Pacific Congress, hosted in Singapore by IBC. The perspective of buyers was somewhat different, with some recognising that prior forecasts of a large surplus were unlikely to materialise, given rising demand in several Asian countries that are new to the LNG market.
Texas LNG Inks Non-Binding Deals with Foreign Buyers
Six out of 8 potential buyers have LNG terminals. Texas LNG has signed eight non-binding deals with potential buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in China, southeast Asia and Europe, the company's chief executive said on Wednesday. They include five in China, two in southeast Asia and one in Europe, said Vivek Chandra, chief executive of Houston-based Texas LNG, declining to name the companies citing confidentiality reasons. The Chinese customers are a mix of large provincials, independent companies and small local governments, he said, speaking on the sidelines of the LNG Asia Pacific Congress in Singapore.
CNOOC Seeks LNG Cargoes for up to 2022
China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) is seeking liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for delivery for up to 2022, two trade sources said on Monday. The company has given options for four different delivery time periods in the tender, which will close on April 16 and is valid until April 25, one of the sources said. The options vary with the delivery of the first LNG cargo under the tender to start from the second half of November or December this year. The options include delivery periods that can last to December 2019 all the way to December 2022, the source added. Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan
Gazprom CEO Proud of Inclusion on US Sanctions List
The CEO of Russia's Gazprom, Alexei Miller, said on Friday he was proud of having been included on a new U.S. sanctions list and that the company's policies were right."Not being included in the first list I even had some doubts - maybe something is wrong (with me)? But I am finally included. This means that we are doing everything right," Miller said through his spokesman.The United States imposed sanctions against Russian businessmen, companies and government officials, striking at associates of President Vladimir Putin in one of Washington's most aggressive moves to punish Moscow for a range of activities…
LNG Ships: Two DSME Orders for GTT
GTT announces it has received at the end of March, an order from the South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for the design of the LNG tanks of two LNG carriers (LNGC). Each offering a capacity of 173,400m3, these units will be built at DSME's shipyard in Geoje, Korea, on behalf of a European ship-owner. The tanks will be fitted with the NO96 GW technology. Their delivery is expected for the first half of 2020. "We are very pleased to continue our excellent partnership with DSME with these two new orders." commented Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT.
Gazprom Gets Nod to Build Nord Stream 2 Gasline
Finland has given its approval for the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline through Finland's economic zone, the government and Russian gas exporter Gazprom said on Thursday. "On 5 April 2018, the Finnish Government gave its consent to the Nord Stream 2 AG's gas pipeline construction project in respect of the section that passes through Finland's exclusive economic zone," the government said in a statement on its website. The statement said the pipeline would stretch "across Finland's exclusive economic zone" for around 374 km.
FSRU Höegh Esperanza Delivered
Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd. took delivery of Höegh Esperanza, its eight floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). The FSRU was constructed at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea and is designed for open, combined and closed loop regasification operation. It has a storage capacity of 170 000 cbm of LNG and a maximum regasification throughput of 750 million standard cubic feet per day. It is equipped with a GTT Mark III membrane containment system and dual-fuel diesel-electric (DFDE) propulsion. Höegh Esperanza is fully financed at a fixed interest rate of approximately 4 percent…
GAIL to Start Importing LNG Under Gazprom Deal
GAIL (India) to begin getting liquefied natural gas (LNG) under reworked deal with Gazprom from May, India's oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan told lawmakers on Wednesday GAIL signed a 2.5 million tonnes a year LNG import deal with Gazprom in 2012 Supplies under the reworked deal will be gradually ramped up and likely to reach full volumes in 5-6 years, Pradhan said GAIL and Gazprom in January renegotiated the gas purchase deal including pricing Reporting by Nidhi Verma
BP eyes 119 LNG Cargoes Annually From Indonesia
Oil major BP is targeting shipping 119 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its Tangguh project in Indonesia's West Papua province this year, including 22 for the domestic market, a company official said on Wednesday. BP expects to keep the same balance of shipments for export and the domestic market unchanged up to 2020, BP Indonesia country head Dharmawan Samsu told a parliament hearing. After 2020 BP will dedicate roughly one-third of the LNG output from Tangguh to the domestic market, or around 60 cargoes, Samsu said. tonnes of the super-cooled fuel from two LNG trains.
Baker Hughes Explores Sale of Gas Metering Unit
Baker Hughes, the oilfield services company controlled by General Electric Co, is exploring a sale of its gas detection and metering business that could be worth around $900 million, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. Oilfield services firms are seeking to tighten their focus to their core operations, as oil prices continue their recovery from their January 2016 lows. Baker Hughes' unit for sale, which makes sensors and monitors for industrial clients such as petrochemical makers and power generators, is expected to attract interest from other manufacturers of such devices, according to one of the sources.
LNG Destination Flexibility Seen Spreading
Japan's biggest city gas seller Tokyo Gas Co expects that contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes with destination flexibility will spread from the West and Japan to be a common thing worldwide, the company's new president said. Japan's Fair Trade Commission last June ruled that destination restrictions that prevent the reselling of contracted LNG cargoes breach competition rules. The decision is set to shake up the Asian market for the fuel in the same way as in Europe. LNG exports from the United States are also free from destination restrictions.
Sinopec to Double LNG Capacity, Boost Shale Ops
China's Sinopec group, parent of Sinopec Corp, aims to more than double its receiving capacity of liquefied natural gas over the next six years and lift domestic shale gas production by two thirds by 2020. The plans are part of the state energy firm's efforts for clean fuel production to account for half of its total energy supply by 2023. Sinopec will have 60 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas supply capacity, which includes both imports and domestic production, by 2023, the group said on Monday. It produced 27 bcm of gas in 2017.
Qatargas, EGAT Exploring LNG Collaboration
Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative efforts in the LNG business. Under the terms of the MoU, the parties will jointly identify and evaluate best practices in the LNG industry, particularly in the sharing of knowledge and expertise inprocurement of LNG, LNG transportation, and floating storage and regasification units (FSRU). In addition, the MoU includes a scope for the possible supply of LNG to the Kingdom of Thailand.
GAIL India to get 90 LNG Cargos from U.S. in 2018
India's state-owned GAIL (India) Ltd on Friday said it would be annually receiving about 90 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Sabine Pass and Cove Point LNG terminals in the U.S. GAIL has long-term deals to annually buy 5.8 million tonnes U.S. LNG. GAIL would be procuring about $2 billion worth of LNG per annum from USA from the fiscal year 2018/19. GAIL on Saturday received its first consignment of LNG from the U.S. under the long-term deals at Dabhol terminal in western India. Reporting by Nidhi Verma
Novatek Delivers its First LNG Cargo to India
The Russian natural gas producer, Novatek, has confirmed that it delivered its first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced by the Yamal LNG project to India on 27 March. "The LNG was produced by the Yamal LNG project, led by the Russian company, and marks the first ever delivery of Russian Artic LNG to the country," said the company. The cargo was shipped through the company’s subsidiary, Novatek Gas and Power Asia. Novatek’s Deputy Chairman of its Management Board Board Lev Feodosyev said: "One of our core priorities enumerated in the Company's Corporate Strategy up to 2030…
Production Floaters Orders Are on the Rebound
Fifteen production floaters were contracted in 2017 – 11 FPSOs, two production semis, a wellhead TLP and an FLNG – and the number of deep water projects in the near-term planning queue indicates production floater orders are set to accelerate. This is a big change from 2016 when orders for new units totally dried up and the deepwater future looked pretty bleak. Here’s a round-up of contracts awarded last year and in January 2018. Tempera FPSO - Keppel in January 2017 received a contract from Dixstone Holdings, an affiliate of Perenco, to convert a tanker to an FPSO for use on the Yombo field offshore the Congo.
Gail India Offers Sabine Pass LNG Liftings
Gail India has offered three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for May to July loading from Sabine Pass in the United States, two traders said on Tuesday. The cargoes will be sold based on the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub gas price, one of them said. The tender closes on March 29 with same-day validity, the trader added. The Indian importer has 20-year deals to buy 5.8 million tonnes per annum of U.S. LNG in total, split between Dominion Energy's Cove Point plant and Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass. Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan
Asian Oil, Gas Producers Stepping up Activity after Long Lull
Asia's oil and gas producers are starting to revive projects aimed at deflating years of ballooning energy imports after new investment dried up following the 2014 industry crisis. Spending has so far been driven mainly by state oil companies such as India's ONGC, Thailand's PTTEP and PetroVietnam, which need to produce more oil and gas to ensure their countries' energy security, executives said this week during an industry event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Asia is by far the biggest, fastest-growing consumer of oil, yet its output is falling faster than in any other region.
US LNG Firms Lament Bad Timing of Tariffs, China Trade Spat
The Trump administration's planned steel tariffs and a potential trade battle with China could hurt U.S. liquefied natural gas companies just as a new wave of developments in the fast-growing market is gaining steam, company executives say. China is the fastest growing major buyer of LNG, making it an important customer for U.S. producers. It is also a significant exporter of the steel components used in LNG plant construction. With an LNG shortage looming as early as 2022, a rush of offtake deals with China and other buyers had been looking likely, boosting construction prospects, said company executives at the CWC LNG Americas Summit in Houston.
Global Carbon Emissions Hit Record High in 2017 - EIA
Global energy-related carbon emissions rose to a historic high of 32.5 gigatonnes last year, after three years of being flat, due to higher energy demand and the slowing of energy efficiency improvements, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said. Global energy demand rose by 2.1 percent last year to 14,050 million tonnes of oil equivalent, more than twice the previous year's rate, boosted by strong economic growth, according to preliminary estimates from the IEA. Energy demand rose by 0.9 percent in 2016 and 0.9 percent on average over the previous five years.
Statoil Awards Askeladd Development Contracts
Statoil is awarding a contract for pipelaying to Subsea 7 and for marine operations to Ocean Installer in the Askeladd field development. "The Askeladd project is being developed in a period of several key milestones for Statoil in North Norway. The Aasta Hansteen field in the Norwegian Sea will come on stream at the end of the year. The Johan Castberg development began in earnest after it was recently sanctioned. In addition, Statoil’s drilling campaign in the Barents Sea is being pursued this year," says Torger Rød, Statoil’s senior vice president for project development.
Exxon Assessing Earthquake Damage to New Guinea NatGas Plant
LNG export project knocked out by major quake in late Feb. A senior Exxon Mobil Corp executive said on Wednesday the company is still assessing damage to its natural gas processing plant in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, knocked out by a strong earthquake last month. A powerful 7.5 magnitude quake struck near Exxon's Hides facility on Feb. 25, killing dozens of people and halting production at the site. The temblor damaged power infrastructure and also led to the closure of the Komo jungle airfield, making access to the remote facility difficult.
Pivotal Delivers First LNG Cargo to NASA
Pivotal LNG said it has made its first delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala. Pivotal LNG, part of Southern Company subsidiary Southern Company Gas, was awarded the contract to serve the NASA rocketry and spacecraft propulsion research center last fall. “We are proud to have earned the trust and confidence of NASA to serve the historic agency,” said Tim Hermann, Pivotal president. “It was a pleasure to work closely with the John F.
Exxon Mobil buys LNG to Chill Papua New Guinea Project
ExxonMobil Corp has bought a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to keep its Papua New Guinea plant cold after a powerful earthquake triggered a production halt last month, several trade sources said on Monday. The cool-down cargo could be a first step toward restarting LNG production at the facility ahead of schedule or it may simply be needed to maintain operational readiness, traders said. Stopping the liquefaction process which condenses gas into a liquid at minus 162 degrees Celsius causes LNG plants to warm up, requiring cargoes to be imported to keep cryogenic tanks and equipment operational.
Chevron sells May-loading Cossack Cargo
Chevron sold its May 4-8 loading Cossack crude oil cargo to oil trader Trafigura at a premium of $1.70 to $1.95 a barrel above dated Brent, trade sources said on Monday. Woodside Petroleum last sold a March-loading Cossack cargo at below $1 a barrel premium to dated Brent, traders have said. There were no spot Cossack cargoes available for export in April. The premium for May-loading cargo is up likely due to non- availability of Kutubu Light cargoes, traders said. Oil Search is yet to release its May-loading program for…
Shell: LNG Buyers Fail to Leverage 'Buyer's' Market
Royal Dutch Shell, the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) trader, said on Thursday buyers of the fuel have not taken advantage of a market that favours them and have failed to extract better supply deals. Steve Hill, executive vice president at Shell Energy, said this failure was damaging to all market participants as it prevented new supply from being developed. "It's quite interesting in that you could argue that buyers haven't necessarily taken advantage of the buyer's market because buyers haven't done very many long-term deals," he told an industry seminar in Tokyo.
FERC Mulls Action on NY Denial for NatGas Pipeline
U.S. federal energy regulators gave themselves more time to decide whether to rehear their earlier order upholding New York's denial of a water permit for Williams Cos Inc's Constitution natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Wednesday rejected Constitution's request to overturn New York's denial of a water quality certification in January. If FERC did not act, Williams rehearing request would have been deemed denied within 30 days from the date the request was made, which was Feb. 12.
Gazprom to Start Talks on Abandoning Contracts with Naftogaz
Russia's Gazprom said on Wednesday it would start talks on abandoning current gas supply and transit contracts with Ukraine's Naftogaz in the coming days. Gazprom had received from Naftogaz the confirmation on readiness to start such talks, it said. Reporting and writing by Denis Pinchuk
Tokyo Gas Wins Destination Flexibility from New Malaysia LNG Purchase
Tokyo Gas said on Wednesday it signed a heads of agreement to buy long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a unit of Malaysian state oil firm Petronas with flexible destination clauses that are in line with the Japanese anti-trust body's ruling last year. The shorter duration and smaller volumes in the new deal, along with changes to the so-called destination clauses that restrict where the cargoes can be sold, highlight the changes that have occurred in the LNG market in the past few years. Buyers have gained the upper hand as growth in new supplies, mainly from Australia and the United States, has exceeded demand and depressed prices.
S.Korea Fuel Oil Imports Soar
South Korea's move to shut coal-fired generators to control air pollution at the same time as nuclear reactors are going into scheduled maintenance is resulting in surging fuel oil imports, as utilities burn the dirty feedstock to meet power demand. South Korea's trade ministry said in February it would suspend five coal-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 2.32 gigawatts (GW), from March to June, part of a broad campaign to reduce pollution. That plan may backfire, at least in the short-term. A cold winter has raised power and heating demand, forcing utilities to burn more fuel oil in order to meet demand.
DNV GL Opens LNG Test Center
DNV GL opens LNG test center. The facility, at the organization’s existing renewable energy technology and gas laboratory site is the first type of facility with a capacity compatible for the downstream sector. Its capacity is up to 250kg of liquefied gas and boasts a heat exchanger that allows the temperature of the LNG – and therefore its boil-off – to be precisely regulated. Johan Holstein, Head of gas testing and analysis at DNV GL – Oil & Gas, said the testing of new sensor technology to rapidly identify the composition of LNG would be a priority.
$3 Bln LNG-to-power Project Planned in Bay of Bengal
Bangladesh's Summit Power International said on Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's Mitsubishi Corp and subsidiary Diamond Gas International to develop a $3 billion LNG-to-power project. Under the MoU, subsidiary Summit Corp, group company Summit Holdings and the Japanese firms agreed to develop an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) onshore receiving terminal with regasification capacity of up to 1,500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) at Matarbari, Moheskhali in the Bay of Bengal. They also agreed to develop two units of 1…
Start of Golar's FLNG in Cameroon May Draw More Africa Clients
Golar LNG said on Monday it had started production at its floating LNG (FLNG) platform in Cameroon, the world's second working example of the nascent technology and a milestone likely to boost its Fortuna project in Equatorial Guinea. As the cost of land-based LNG plants more than tripled in the decade to 2013, Golar pioneered the conversion of ageing LNG tankers into giant refrigerators capable of chilling gas into its liquid form at minus 162 Celsius. Natural gas when liquefied can be shipped and sold around the world on tankers, like oil.
Petrobras to Consider LPG Unit Sale, IPO
State-controlled oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA will discuss alternatives for its liquefied petroleum gas distribution unit in a board meeting this week, one person with direct knowledge of the matter said. Petrobras, as the Brazilian company is known, had agreed to sell Liquigas Distribuidora SA to Ultrapar Participações SA for 2.8 billion reais ($859 million), but the deal was blocked by antitrust regulator CADE in February. Petrobras has officially said it wants to completely exit the LPG distribution business, but will consider options different than a formal sale process to strategic and financial investors.
World's Second Floating LNG Project Starts Production in Cameroon
Norwegian shipping firm Golar LNG on Monday said liquefied natural gas (LNG) production had started at its floating LNG production platform in Cameroon, the world's second working example of the nascent technology. The trading arm of Russia's Gazprom has purchased the entire 1.2 million tonne per annum output from Golar's FLNG platform, the Hilli Episeyo, for eight years. The deal was agreed in late 2015 between Golar, Gazprom Marketing and Trading, Cameroon's state-run Societe Nationale des Hydrocarbures and Perenco Cameroon. Golar LNG gave no indication of when the Hilli would achieve commercial LNG production or begin exports.
Speculators Boost U.S. Natgas Net Longs
U.S. natural gas speculators boosted their net long positions for the first time in five weeks, betting prices will rise as exports increase and inventories remain well below normal for this time of year. Speculators in four major New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) markets added to their bullish bets by 24,673 contracts to 211,680 in the week to March 6, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday. Reporting by Scott DiSavino
China's Energy Giants Return to Asian LNG Market as Sellers
Falling industrial demand and mild weather have turned China's energy giants into sellers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Asia for the first time since last year's massive import spree. Chinese players were on the receiving end of last year's doubling of LNG prices, largely driven by their rapid shift to gas to combat coal smog as well as elevated regional demand for the fuel. Although a CNOOC executive last week warned producers not to expect a similar payday in 2018, industry executives said they were not unduly concerned by the blip, saying Chinese demand would continue to grow.
Saudi Aramco Signs Preliminary Gas Deal with Shell
Saudi Aramco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to pursue international gas opportunities with Royal Dutch Shell. That would include developments of gas upstream and liquefaction projects. The MoU signed in London between the two energy companies was during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United Kingdom. Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Rania El Gamal
Shell's Gas Production Could Dwarf Oil By 2050 -CEO
Royal Dutch Shell could boost the share of natural gas production to triple that of oil in order to meet self-imposed goals to halve carbon emissions by 2050, Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said on Wednesday. Shell, the world's top trader of liquefied natural gas, currently produces around 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, of which roughly half is natural gas.
Oil Impacted by Broader Market Trends
Soaring U.S. crude output, rising stocks also weigh. Oil fell on Wednesday as financial markets slid after a free trade advocate in the U.S. government resigned, feeding concerns that Washington's plans for import tariffs could spark a trade war. Rising U.S. crude output and climbing U.S. inventories have also weighed. The United States is set to become the world's biggest oil producer this year, threatening to offset supply cuts by the OPEC, Russia and other producers. "Rising U.S. oil output coupled with a simultaneous upswing in domestic oil stockpiles has all the makings for a potent bearish cocktail…
First LNG from Cheniere US to GAIL India
Cheniere Energy and GAIL (India) today marked the commencement of their 20-year Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to supply U.S.-sourced liquefied natural gas to India from Cheniere’s Sabine Pass liquefaction facility in Louisiana, with one of GAIL’s first shipments departing from the facility. The ship will set sail after today’s ceremony to mark the occasion at Sabine Pass in the presence of Cheniere President and CEO Jack Fusco and GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Mr. B.C. Tripathi, who were joined by Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray, as well as representatives from Cheniere and GAIL.
Chevron Expects LNG Supply Shortage by 2025
Chevron Corp said on Tuesday it expected supply shortage in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market by around 2025, echoing comments made last month by top LNG trader Royal Dutch Shell. Demand for natural gas, which burns cleaner than coal and oil, has surged as countries such as China look to curb environmental pollution. Chevron, owner of the giant Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects in Australia, said it expects global demand to be nearly 600 million metric tonne per annum (mmtpa) by 2035, while supply could be just about half of that.
Distillate Demand Boost from Shipping Sulphur Rules to be Brief
A sharp increase in demand for distillates following new shipping fuel rules will fade quickly, the International Energy Agency said on Monday. New rules implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will significantly cut the amount of sulphur that the world's ships can burn in their engines from 2020, leading to a close to 1 million barrel per day (bpd) rise in gasoil consumption at the expense of high-sulphur fuel oil. While ships can continue to burn higher sulphur fuel if they install scrubbers, and can also use liquefied natural gas- powered engines or new low-sulphur fuel oil blends…
Oil Falls as U.S. Shale Growth Gathers Pace
IEA sees U.S. gaining market share from OPEC, predicts robust oil demand in next 5 years. Oil prices edged lower towards $64 per barrel on Monday on predictions of a major spike in U.S. oil output in the next five years. International benchmark Brent crude was down 8 cents, having shelved morning gains of around 0.6 percent, at $64.29 a barrel by 1237 GMT. The contract was well below this year's highs of over $71 per barrel that it hit in January. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was flat at $61.24 per barrel, having lost earlier gains of 0.7 percent. The International Energy Agency on Monday revised U.S.
Nakilat, Maran Ventures JV adds two vessels
Nakilat has expanded its joint venture partnership with Greek shipping company Maran Ventures Inc., to include two additional LNG vessels. Maran Nakilat Co. Ltd. was first established in 2005 with four jointly-owned LNG vessels, and was further expanded on several occasions. This new agreement increases the number of vessels jointly-owned by Nakilat and Maran Gas from 13 to 15 vessels. The two newly added vessels, Woodside Rogers and Woodside Goode, are equipped with modern technology and built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co (DSME).
Trump's Steel Import Tariffs May Hurt US LNG Exports
U.S. natural gas trade groups said on Thursday they are concerned that new U.S. steel import tariffs could delay or reduce new pipeline projects as well as dent exports of liquefied natural gas. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States will impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on imported aluminum next week. The type of pipe and the steel used to make large diameter, thick-walled pipe used for interstate natural gas pipeline projects are niche products that are not available off the shelf or even from a wide variety of manufacturers…
New Gas Dispute Between Ukraine and Russia Begins
Russia's Gazprom refuses to restart supplies to Ukraine; Ukraine's Naftogaz demands compensation. Kiev and Moscow plunged into a new gas dispute on Thursday after Ukraine's Naftogaz demanded compensation for Gazprom's unexpected decision not to restart gas supplies. The row threatens to open a new front in a long-running legal battle between the companies - a by-product of broader political tension following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. It follows Wednesday's international…
Peru Resumes LNG Exports after Pipeline Rupture
Peru has exported its first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in three weeks after a pipeline rupture in the jungle disrupted production, the state energy agency Perupetro said on Tuesday. The ship Barcelona Knutsen departed Peru for South Korea on Monday with 170,999 cubic meters (6,038,772 cubic feet) of fuel from the Pampa Melchorita plant, which is operated by the consortium Peru LNG, Perupetro said in a report. U.S.-based Hunt Oil has a 40 percent stake in Peru LNG. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Japan's Marubeni Corp and other companies have smaller stakes in the consortium.
Texas LNG Gets OK from US Coast Guard
Texas LNG Brownsville LLC said it achieved another development milestone with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Letter of Recommendation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) confirming the suitability of the Brownsville Ship Channel for the project’s marine traffic as it relates to safety and security. “After reviewing the information in the applicant’s [Letter of Intent] and Waterway Suitability Assessment and completing an evaluation of the waterway in consultation with a variety of state and local port stakeholders…
LNG Tanker Boris Vilkitsky Sailing for Rotterdam
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Boris Vilkitsky is due to arrive at Rotterdam on March 8, Reuters shipping data showed on Tuesday. The tanker, which has capacity for about 170,000 cubic metres of gas, is arriving from Russia. (Reporting By Susanna Twidale)
Vessel Docks at Maryland Cove Point LNG Terminal
Gemmata could be the first vessel to pick up fuel from the facility since the tanker came from Spain - a non-LNG exporting country - with less than a full cargo, according to the shipping data. In addition to Gemmata, another vessel, the Methane Spirit, is also headed for Cove Point, according to the shipping data. Methane Spirit is located near Singapore and is expected to reach Cove Point around March 31. Once it enters service, Cove Point will be the second big LNG export terminal in the lower 48 U.S. Cove Point is designed to liquefy about 0.75 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas. One bcfd can power about 5 million homes.
Shell: LNG Supply Shortage Possible as Demand Surges
The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market has continued to defy expectations of many market observers, with demand growing by 29 million tonnes to 293 million tonnes in 2017, according to Shell’s annual LNG Outlook. Such strong growth in demand is consistent with Shell’s first LNG Outlook, published in 2017. Based on current demand projections, Shell sees potential for a supply shortage developing in mid-2020s, unless new LNG production project commitments are made soon. Japan remained the world’s largest LNG importer in 2017, while China moved into second place as Chinese imports surged past South Korea’s.
Gasum to Set up Floating Gas Station Network
In line with the Nordic gas ecosystem, Gasum will be setting up heavy duty gas stations. The aim is to establish a tank infrastructure that meets the heavy transport segment's needs for rational logistics and accessibility. These establishments have been awarded an investment contribution from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in the Climate Climate Program. In all 16 service stations will be set up in the country at a total cost of SEK 92.6 million. By replacing diesel with liquid biogas (LBG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the heavy vehicle segment…
BHP, ExxonMobil to Retain Aussie Oil & Gas Assets
BHP Billiton Ltd and ExxonMobil Corp's Esso Australia said on Friday they have dropped a sale process started 20 months ago for some of Australia's oldest and largest oilfields. "BHP and Esso have reached a decision to not progress with the sale of some offshore assets owned by the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture," a BHP spokeswoman said in an email. The resource giants had said they were looking to sell 13 fields, licenses and associated infrastructure held in the basin. The venture in Australia's Victoria state began operations in 1969, according to BHP's website. BHP and Esso Australia each hold a 50 percent share.
Novatek Eyes Saudi Aramco as a Partner in Arctic LNG-2
Novatek is interested in Saudi Aramco joining the Arctic LNG-2 plant as a partner, the Russian gas producer's chief executive Leonid Mikhelson said on Thursday. Novatek, Russia's largest non-state natural gas producer, and Saudi Aramco signed a memorandum on cooperation last week. The LNG-2 project aims to start producing liquefied natural gas from 2022-2023. Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Oksana Kobzeva; Writing by Denis Pinchuk
LNG Heats Up Again as Market Changes: Russell
If you were looking for signs that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) merry-go-round is starting to spin a little faster, the announcement of a planned massive expansion in Papua New Guinea is ample evidence. Global majors Exxon Mobil and Total are considering plans to double LNG exports from Papua New Guinea to about 16 million tonnes per annum, their partner Oil Search said on Feb. 20. If approved, three new trains would be added to the existing Exxon-operated PNG LNG facility, with natural gas from Total's fields supplying two of the units and the third using existing fields and a new Exxon development.
LNG Market to Suffer From Oversupply Until 2021 - Vitol
Global prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will face pressure from oversupply over the next two to three years, particularly in warmer months, top energy trader Vitol said on Wednesday. New LNG production in countries such as the United States and Cameroon that is set to start up in the coming months means pressure on the rapidly expanding market will be particularly felt in 2019, Pablo Galante Escobar, who heads Vitol's LNG trading, told the IP Week conference. "We still see over the next two to three years a market that is structurally oversupplied, particularly in summer, Escobar said. Reporting by Ron Bousso
Argentina Seeks 22 LNG Cargoes
Argentina's state-run Enarsa launches tender to buy 22 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for delivery from May to August for delivery to its two import terminals, trade sources said. Enarsa seeks nine full-size cargoes for its Bahia Blanca terminal and 13 half-size deliveries to its river terminal at Escobar. Bids must be submitted on or before March 6 and pricing must be based on either U.S. Henry Hub or Brent crude oil. Escobar shipments cannot take tankers with a capacity of more than 90,000 cubic metres of LNG due to shallow water conditions. Traders are expected to source supplies from Trinidad, Nigeria and Angola, the source said.
GTT Bags Order for Three LNG Carriers, One Bunkering Vessel
GTT announces it has received several orders, since the beginning of the year, for the equipment of three LNG Carriers (LNGCs) and one bunkering vessel. The three LNGCs, offering capacities ranging from 174,000 to 180,000 m3, will be built at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI)’s. They will be fitted with the membrane containment system Mark III Flex. Their deliveries are expected for 2020. In addition, the latest evolution of the Mark III system, the Mark III Flex+ technology, has been chosen for the equipment of a first LNGC already included in the GTT order book.
TransCanada Seeks Okay for LA Cameron Access
TransCanada Corp's Columbia Gulf Transmission unit on Friday filed with U.S. federal energy regulators to commence service on its Cameron Access natural gas project in Louisiana on March 1. The $300 million Cameron Access projects includes a new compressor station and 27 miles (43 kilometers) of pipeline, according to the company's website The project is designed to transport about 0.8 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas to Sempra Energy's Cameron liquefied natural gas export facility in Louisiana, which is under construction One bcfd is enough gas to fuel about five million U.S. homes Reporting by Scott DiSavino
Cheniere's LA Sabine Pass LNG Output Dips
The volume of gas flowing into the facility dropped from about 3.2 billion cubic feet per day on Wednesday to 2.8 bcfd on Thursday and a projected 1.5 bcfd on Friday, Reuters data showed. One bcfd is enough gas to fuel about five million U.S. homes. The plant had been operating near full capacity with about 3.2 bcfd of gas flowing in since mid-January when freezing water during a brutal cold snap forced the company to briefly reduce operations. Officials at Cheniere would not comment on the latest reduction. Earlier this week, the company said its operations were not affected following an order on Feb.
TransCanada to Proceed with Gas Line Expansion
TransCanada Corp, Canada's second largest pipeline operator, said on Thursday that it would go ahead with the C$2.4 billion ($1.9 billion) expansion of its NGTL natural gas system, boosting pipeline access for producers in Western Canada's gas-rich basins. The Calgary-based company also reported a strong fourth quarter profit, beating market expectations, sending its shares up 5.7 percent to C$56.71 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. TransCanada said the expansion of its Nova Gas Transmission Line (NGTL), which moves gas from Alberta and British Columbia to markets all over North America…
Cove Point LNG Terminal's First Export Imminent
Methane Spirit, a liquefied natural gas tanker, said on Thursday it would arrive at Dominion Energy Inc's Cove Point LNG export facility in Maryland around March 31, according to Reuters shipping data. If correct, that could be the first vessel to pick up a cargo from the LNG facility, which Virginia-based Dominion said it expects to enter service in March. Dominion said it planned to spend $4 billion to add export facilities at Cove Point, long an LNG import terminal on the Chesapeake Bay. The Methane Spirit is currently off the coast of Japan where it was expected to drop off a cargo from Australia, according to the shipping data.
Asia's Soaring Gas Demand Beckons New LNG Projects
Global LNG imports rose by 20 percent in 2017; new demand emerges across South, Southeast Asia. Soaring gas demand from China, India and Southeast Asia is sucking up an LNG supply glut previously expected to last for years, opening opportunity for new production from East Africa to North America that had been deemed part of the overhang. Trade flows in Eikon show global liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports have risen 40 percent since 2015, to almost 40 billion cubic metres (bcm) a month. Growth accelerated in 2017, with imports up by a fifth, largely due to China, but also South Korea and Japan.
Gazprom to Reorganise Export Operations
Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Monday it planned to reorganise its export operations to create an integrated international distribution unit responsible for all of its export deliveries, trading and marketing. Gazprom said in a statement the reorganisation would take place in two stages over two years. It said the first stage would involve merging and streamlining the assets and activities of Gazprom Germany, which handles a large proportion of the group's exports. The second stage would see Gazprom Germany operationally merged with Gazprom Export, it said. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Susan Fenton)
KOGAS in LNG Arbitration with North West Shelf Gas
South Korea's state-run Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) has gone into an arbitration with Australia's North West Shelf Gas to settle a liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract that ended in 2016, a company spokesman said on Monday. The KOGAS spokesman declined to give further details. Woodside Petroleum, the operator of the North West Shelf joint venture was not immediately available for comment. The arbitration relates to a difference over an agreed price renegotiation during a mid-term supply contract, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Big Oil Takes Stage for Post-austerity Beauty Contest
With years of austerity in their rear-view mirrors, the world's biggest oil companies are locked in a beauty contest to lure investors with promises of growth and greater rewards. Royal Dutch Shell and Total are emerging as frontrunners after a three-year slump thanks to strong growth projections but Exxon Mobil, the biggest publicly traded oil company, has largely disappointed with a weaker outlook. Major oil companies slashed spending and cut costs after oil prices collapsed in 2014 and can now generate as much cash with crude at $50-$55 a barrel as they did when the price was around $100 earlier in the decade.
Sonatrach Eyes More Vessels to Boost Asia Gas Sales
Algeria will acquire more vessels to transport gas to Asia as it eyes increased sales in that region, the chief executive of state energy firm Sonatrach said on Monday. "With Russia and the U.S., gas competition is tough," Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour told reporters during a visit to the Hassi Messaoud oilfield. He gave no details. Kaddour also said Sonatrach's oil drilling in Algeria's southern neighbour Niger, where a Sonatrach unit was awarded a production-sharing deal in 2015, had been "satisfying" so far. Oil was found in the Kafra region, some 80 km (50 miles) from the Algerian border, he said.
LNG Rebounds as Asian Buyers Replenish Inventory
Interest for prompt spot cargoes still keen; demand could roll over to April. Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices rebounded this week as persistently cold weather in North Asia forced buyers to enter the spot market to replenish inventory. Spot prices for March <LSG-AS> delivery in Asia climbed 40 cents to $10.60 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) this week, according to several LNG traders in Asia. Cargoes for delivery in the first half of March are trading between $10.70 and $11 per mmBtu while cargoes for the second half of the month are trading at just above $10 a barrel, they said.
Eni/Total Find NatGas off Cyprus
Italy's Eni and France's Total have discovered a promising natural gas field off Cyprus, Eni said on Thursday, saying the find looked geologically similar to the mammoth Zohr field off Egypt. Further analysis was required to determine the range of gas volumes and define further exploration and appraisal operations, Eni said. "Calypso 1 is a promising gas discovery and confirms the extension of the 'Zohr like' play in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)," Eni said in a statement. Eni is the operator of the offshore block with a 50 percent participation interest, while Total is a partner with the remaining 50 percent.
Next-wave LNG Terminals get Smaller, More Flexible
The liquefied natural gas market is growing every year, but the terminals that ship and receive the fuel are shrinking. The booming sector's next-generation infrastructure is being designed for a emerging-market buyers that want smaller volumes on shorter, more flexible contracts. LNG export terminals, where the gas is liquefied and put on vessels for shipping, have traditionally been massive, custom-built facilities that cost tens of billions of dollars. And so to justify the investment, they have typically required equally massive, long-term supply deals, often lasting a decade or more.
Japan LNG Imports at 5-year High on Colder Weather
Japanese LNG imports reach 8.7 mln T in January, pressuring regional LNG market with China also hoovering up cargoes. Japanese imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) hit their highest in at least five years in January, with shipments expected to continue at a brisk pace this month as freezing weather keeps its grip on the world's top buyer of the fuel. Japan's imports of LNG rose to nearly 8.7 million tonnes last month, up 8 percent from December and the largest volume since at least January, 2013, according to ship tracking data on Thomson Reuters Eikon that stretches back five years.
Croatia to Speed up Building of LNG Terminal in Adriatic
Croatia will pass a special law to speed up the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the northern Adriatic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday. Croatia produces more than half of its gas consumption, some 2.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year. Once the LNG terminal is built it hopes to be able to supply both its own market as well as central and eastern European countries. "Our aim (is) to pass a special law as a key message that it is a strategic project for us. We want to better position Croatia on the European energy map and diversify energy sources," Plenkovic told a cabinet session.
BP Says Gas will Overtake Oil as Main Energy Source by 2040
BP expects gas to overtake oil as the world's primary energy source in around 2040 as demand for the least polluting fossil fuel grows, its vice president for strategic planning said on Wednesday. "We see it (gas) take over from coal in the early 2030s... We think there is a very good case for gas actually overtaking oil post 2040 or just before 2040," Dominic Emery told a gas conference in Vienna. Emery highlighted estimates for demand growth for gas in China of around 15 percent year-on-year last year and said BP expects overall gas demand to grow around 1.6 percent a year for years to come, compared with 0.8 percent for oil.
Novatek to Launch Second Yamal LNG Line in September
Russia's largest non-state natural gas producer Novatek will launch a second line at its Yamal LNG plant in September, the RIA news agency cited the company as saying on Wednesday. Novatek owns a 50.1 percent stake in Yamal LNG. France's Total and China National Petroleum Corp each control 20 percent, while China's Silk Road Fund owns 9.9 percent. Yamal LNG started producing liquefied natural gas in December. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Jack Stubbs)
