LNG News

India's Petronet LNG says Talks to Invest in Qatar Have Slowed

India's Petronet LNG Ltd said on Monday its talks to invest in Qatar's exploration and production sector had "slowed down," as the company had not been able to reach an agreement on pricing with the Middle Eastern nation."Qatar is still at a very preliminary stage. We were actually looking at getting the molecule (gas) at the well head price. They want to sell it at market price," said Prabhat Singh, managing director of Petronet LNG.Petronet LNG, India's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) importer, wanted to partner with ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)…

LNG Report: Floating Liquefaction & Regasification

International Maritime Associates has completed a 12-month study of the global market for floating gas liquefaction plants and floating LNG regasification terminals. The 150+ page study, published by World Energy Reports, is the most detailed analysis yet made of this growing business sector. Project Success EvaluationThe IMA study is the first professional effort to systematically look at the universe of FLNG and FSRU projects in the planning stage – and categorize the likelihood of each making the development investment hurdle. Many FLNG and FSRU projects are planned – but only some will ultimately will move forward to development.

Cyprus Seeks to Construct first LNG Import Terminal by 2020

Cyprus has invited bids for the development of the country's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, which it wants to be ready by 2020, a notice posted on a government procurement site said this week.Cyprus depends almost entirely on imported oil products for its energy consumption and needs to switch to cleaner gas from heavy fuel oil for its electricity generation by 2020 to stay in line with EU rules on power plant emissions.Although a number of gas fields have been discovered nearby, including the Aphrodite field in Cyprus' waters…

AGL LNG Import Project Slowed by Environment Review

Plans by Australia's AGL Energy to start importing liquefied natural gas from 2021 will be delayed after the state of Victoria called for the company and its pipeline partner to submit a full environmental assessment of their project.The review process typically takes nine to 12 months, which means AGL will not be able to reach a final investment decision on the A$250 million ($178 million) jetty project by June 2019, as it had hoped.AGL had been on track to be the first of four proposed LNG import projects looking to fill…

Japanese Firms Sign Deals to Buy from LNG Canada

Two Japanese companies have signed agreements to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the LNG Canada project, Reuters reported.Toho Gas Co signed a basic agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp to buy up to four cargoes or about 0.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG from the project over 15 years starting 2024/25.Tokyo Gas Co signed a heads of agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp to buy up to eight cargoes or about 0.6 million mtpa of LNG from the project over 13 years…

Natural Gas is Here to Stay, Big Oil Says

Energy companies are betting demand for natural gas will rise at break-neck pace for decades, undermining warnings that tackling climate change would require a rapid switch to renewable energy.Top oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Total are adapting with growing urgency to the need to develop cleaner energy sources, investing more and more in solar and wind power, electric vehicle technology and even forestation.Still, they see oil, and specially natural gas, the least polluting fossil fuel, playing a major role throughout the decades of transition and beyond as demand for electricity and plastics grows."Shell's core business is…

CNOOC to Expand Jiangsu Binhai LNG Project

China's CNOOC plans to expand its LNG project in eastern Jiangsu province to meet rising demand from more regions, state-media China News reported citing a project manager from CNOOC.CNOOC will lift the storage tank facility of each of the four tanks linked to the Jiangsu Binhai LNG receiving terminal to 220,000 cubic meters, up from 160,000 cubic meters, China News said.Total investment in the project rose to 17 billion yuan ($2.46 billion), up from 14.4 billion yuan, China News said.The terminal and its storage tanks will be able to serve a broader region including the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Shandong, where the government is swit

Norway Expects Gas Export Price to Fall Until 2021

Norway expects its gas export price to fall by more than a quarter by 2021 as increasing global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies outstrip growth in European demand.Norway's 2019 fiscal budget on Monday showed it expects the average price for Norwegian gas to fall to 2.05 crowns/standard cubic meter (sm3) and reach a low of 1.70 crowns/sm3 by 2021, then rebounding in 2022.The projections are higher than what Norway, Europe's second largest gas supplier after Russia, was expecting in its revised budget in May, when 2018's price was seen at 1.8 crowns/sm3 and 2019 just below 1.5 crowns.The average price for Norway's gas was about 2.20 Norwegian c

IMA Completes 12-month Study of the Floating Liquefaction and Regasification Market

International Maritime Associates has just completed a 12-month study of the global market for floating gas liquefaction plants and floating LNG regasification terminals. The 150+ page study, published by World Energy Reports, is the most detailed analysis yet made of this growing business sector.Project Success EvaluationThe IMA study is the first professional effort to systematically look at the universe of FLNG and FSRU projects in the planning stage – and categorize the likelihood of each making the development investment hurdle. Many FLNG and FSRU projects are planned – but only some will ultimately move forward to development.

Novatek, Siemens Sign LNG Partnership

Russia's natural gas producer Novatek and German engineering giant Siemens have signed a strategic partnership agreement that covers cooperation in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.Novatek said in a press release that the agreement was signed by Novatek Chief Executive Leonid Mikhelson and his Siemens counterpart Joe Kaeser in Moscow.According to the agreement, the parties intend to strengthen and develop the strategic partnership and cooperation in integrated gas-to-power projects on a “turn-key” basis inclusive of LNG supply…

Build It and They Will Buy: The New World of LNG Canada

The first major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project to be approved globally in five years will be built in Canada, but its underlying philosophy appears to be more closely allied to the Australian concept of "she'll be right, mate."The LNG Canada project was given the green light on Tuesday by Royal Dutch Shell, which is leading the $31 billion venture along with partners Petronas, Mitsubishi, PetroChina and Korea Gas.What makes the first export plant on Canada's west coast different to the last wave of LNG projects is…

Putin Says US LNG Uncompetitive in Europe

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States was uncompetitive in Europe.Putin said at the Russian Energy Week in Moscow that U.S. LNG was 30 percent more expensive compared to Russian gas that Moscow supplies to Europe via its pipelines.(Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Andrey Kuzmin; Editing by Susan Fenton)

IAPH Audit Tool for Safe, Sustainable LNG Bunkering

International players in the shipping sector - International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), Titan LNG, Bureau Veritas, large oil and gas companies such as Shell and ship owners such as NYK and Carnival Corporation - developed a tool for making LNG bunkering safe and sustainable."The tool ensures that the responsibilities of bunker facilities operators (BFOs) relating to safe and sustainable business operations are clearly demarcated and that there is a careful examination of how the LNG bunker operations are set up…

Shell's LNG Canada Seen as Tip of Megaproject Iceberg

The launch of a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Canada has finally fired the starting gun on a wave of plan approvals around the world, needed to avoid a supply crunch after 2020.Royal Dutch Shell said it would export LNG from Western Canada by 2025 after approving a $14 billion project, hot on the heels of Qatar's commitment last week to expand its facilities.The two announcements, adding 37 million tonnes a year (mtpa) to the 290 million tonnes traded in 2017, are just the start of project approvals…

Putin to Meet Shell CEO in Moscow: Kremlin Aide

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden in Moscow this week, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Tuesday.Ushakov said Putin and the Shell boss will discuss the Sakhalin-2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project on Russia's Pacific coast, where Shell is a minority shareholder, and a plan to build an LNG plant on Russia's Baltic coast. Shell and Russian gas giant Gazprom last year signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on the plant.Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; writing by Christian Lowe

Mitsubishi Signs on $31 Bln LNG Canada Project

Japanese trading house Mitsubishi Corp said on Tuesday it will join in developing the LNG Canada project in British Columbia led by Royal Dutch Shell, which has taken a final investment decision to go ahead with the development.The C$40 billion ($31 billion) project, on the west coast of Canada, will consist of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, known as trains, that are expected to export about 14 million tonnes per year of the fuel.LNG Canada is a joint venture between Shell, Malaysia's Petronas, PetroChina Co Ltd, Mitsubishi and Korea Gas Corp.Mitsubishi said it share of the project is 15 percent and it will take delivery of

Novatek to Open Third Line of Yamal Project in December

Russian natural gas producer Novatek plans to open the third line of its Yamal liquefied natural gas project in December, ahead of schedule, Chief Executive Leonid Mikhelson said on Tuesday.Novatek's Yamal terminal has been ramping up LNG shipments faster than expected after loading its first cargo in December 2017, with two trains now running at capacity.(Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva; Writing by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Louise Heavens)

Glencore Mulls Integrated LNG Project in Philippines

Mining and trading giant Glencore is mulling an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) import project in the Philippines, a source familiar with the matter said.The project would be for a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) to import gas directly to a power plant in the country.A commercial agreement has been signed and if pursued, would be financed by several entities, including a Chinese engineering group.Like its competitors, Glencore has been looking to increase its presence in LNG as the market becomes more liquid and demand from emerging markets grows.Vitol, Gunvor and Trafigura have however been more active in their pursuit of LNG i

Morocco Preparing Tender for $4.5 bln LNG Project

Morocco is preparing to invite bids for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Jorf Lasfar worth $4.5 billion, Energy Minister Aziz Rabbah said on Monday.Speaking on the sidelines of an energy conference in Marrakesh, he declined to give details.Last year, Moroccan state-owned power utility ONEE said it had picked HSBC Middle East Ltd as financial adviser for its plan to boost imports of LNG.The project includes the import of up to 7 billion cubic metres of gas by 2025, and the construction of a jetty, terminal, pipelines and gas-fired power plants, officials have said.Morocco, a net energy importer, aims to diversify fuel supplies and reduce it

Croatia Extends Bidding Deadline Again for Adriatic LNG Terminal

Croatia has again extended a deadline for submitting binding bids for the use of a planned floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the northern Adriatic."The deadline has been moved from Sept. 28 to Dec. 20 this year," state-owned LNG Croatia said in a statement on its website on Thursday.The decision was taken after a request from potential bidders, it added.The first time the deadline was extended in early August was for the same reason.The terminal on the northern Adriatic island of Krk is planned as part of the European Union's efforts to diversify from Russian energy imports.

Sinopec Adds LNG Tank at Tianjin Terminal

China's Sinopec Corp completed adding a third tank to store liquefied natural gas at its receiving terminal in Tianjin, marking the completion of construction of the first phase of the import facility, the state oil and gas group said on Tuesday.The terminal, in the northern port city Tianjin, near Beijing, began operations last February. It has an annual receiving capacity of 3 million tonnes and an annual supply capacity of 4 billion cubic meters (bcm).The terminal has so far this year received 22 shipments of LNG that totaled 1.46 million tonnes in volume.

Russia's Novatek Ships First LNG Cargo to Brazil

Russian natural gas producer Novatek has shipped its first LNG cargo to the Brazilian market with LNG produced from the Yamal LNG project.A statement from PAO Novatek said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Novatek Gas and Power Asia Pte. Ltd. has shipped its first LNG cargo to the Brazilian market with LNG produced from the Yamal LNG project. The cargo was delivered to the Bahia Regasification Terminal owned by Petrobras.“Our LNG marketing strategy aims to diversify our supply geography and customer base,” noted Leonid Mikhelson, Novatek’s Chairman of the Management Board.

LNG Shipping Rates Spike with No Respite Seen Through 2019

The price of shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) has spiked in September and is likely to remain high next year, buoyed by rising production from new plants and concerns that demand for LNG vessels will outpace supply.The rate for vessels shipping LNG from the Atlantic Basin to Asia has jumped to $90,000 to $95,000 a day this week from $75,000 a day at the end of August, brokers and traders said.Rates, which broadly hovered around $30,000 to $40,000 a day from 2015 to 2017, have risen due to longer distances covered to transport LNG from new terminals in the United States and Arctic Russia…

LNG Shipping Rates Spike With no Respite Seen Through 2019

The price of shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) has spiked in September and is likely to remain high next year, buoyed by rising production from new plants and concerns that demand for LNG vessels will outpace supply.The rate for vessels shipping LNG from the Atlantic Basin to Asia has jumped to $90,000 to $95,000 a day this week from $75,000 a day at the end of August, brokers and traders said.Rates, which broadly hovered around $30,000 to $40,000 a day from 2015 to 2017, have risen due to longer distances covered to transport LNG from new terminals in the United States and Arctic Russia…

Norway's Gas Exports Set to Match Annual Record

Norway's gas exports hit a new high of 36.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) this summer and the annual deliveries will be on a par with the record annual figure achieved in 2017, gas system operator Gassco said on Friday.Between May and August, which is normally a season with fewer gas exports, Norway's deliveries almost matched a normal winter level as European importers needed to refill depleted gas storages which drained during last year's cold winter."It's too early to say exactly where we'll end up this year, but we expect another good performance which will be roughly on a par with the 2017 record…

Europe Gas Trade Volume on Track for Record in 2018

European gas trading volumes in 2018 may beat the record 51,000 terawatt hours (TWh) recorded in 2016 unless unseasonally warm weather prevails for the rest of this year, Prospex said in a report on Friday.The British research company said slower trading in 2017 was followed by an upturn in the first half 2018 as consumption grew and business on the Dutch gas exchange Title Transfer Facility (TTF) picked up.Natural gas trading rose by 4 percent year-on-year to 26,000 TWh in January to June across a region of 11 countries monitored by Prospex…

Lukoil Gets Approval for LPG Supplies to Ukraine

Russia's No.2 oil producer Lukoil has obtained approval from a Russian export control regulator on supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) such as propane and butane to Ukraine, traders said on Friday.LPG and diesel were listed as goods of dual purposes, meaning they can be used both for civil and military aims, amid Moscow's tensions with Ukraine.Only Kremlin-controlled Rosneft has the rights to export LPG to Ukraine, to the tune of around 40,000 tonnes per month. The fuel can be used in cars, household utilities or to produce electric power.Lukoil has not responded to a request for comment.According to the industry sources…

Bangladesh Shelves LNG Projects as Others Ramp Up

Bangladesh has put aside two smaller liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects with trading houses Gunvor and Vitol to focus on two larger LNG import terminals, one of which is already in use while the second will start up in March.Bangladesh has turned to LNG to offset falling domestic gas output to feed industrial demand and electricity generation in a nation of 160 million people where a third have no power supply.It aims to import 17 million tonnes a year of LNG by 2025, which in today's terms would make it a top five importer.

Shell Wins 15-year Deal to Supply LNG for Chinese Company's Power Plant

Royal Dutch Shell has won a long-term contract to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a Chinese company's 441 megawatt LNG-fueled power plant under construction in Colon, Panama, advisors on the deal said this week.The $900 million power project, being built by Sinolam LNG affiliate Sinolam Smarter Energy LNG Power Co, expects to begin taking deliveries of the super-cooled natural gas in 2020.Reporting by Gary McWilliams

New U.S. LNG Projects, Enough to Double Exports, on Verge of Launch

New U.S. liquefied natural gas terminals with enough capacity to double U.S. exports have either begun commissioning their facilities or are waiting for approval from the energy regulator, a review of their documents showed this week.Although long planned, the actual commissioning of plants has been a moving target in the past.Yet the process not only kicks off a new era for the global industry as the United States turns into a significant exporter. It also opens the taps for large volumes to hit the spot market before long-term commercial contracts are formerly triggered.The ramp up of U.S. LNG production comes just as U.S.

LR Grants AiP for Wison’s 300MW FSRP Design

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued approval in principle (AiP) to Wison for its 300MW capacity floating storage, regasification, power plant (FSRP) concept design.A relatively new design concept, FSRPs are essentially floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants that receive LNG from ships and store it within tanks below deck, before regasifying the LNG and using it to fuel an onboard power plant.LR, Wison and Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) are working together in developing this 300MW barge-type FSRP unit that will be moored at a jetty or placed near-shore.

China and U.S. Energy Officials Tout Cooperation, Despite Tariffs

Energy trade with China will remain strong in the long-term, officials said on Wednesday at a China-U.S. oil and gas forum in Houston, even as an escalating trade dispute hits U.S. exports of natural gas.Cooperation could be expanded and more could be done to promote trade and investment between the two countries, said Li Fanrong, China's deputy administrator for the National Energy Administration. There is effective cooperation between China and the U.S., he said.Reporting by Liz Hampton

Keppel Partners GTT on LNG Solutions

Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has signed a Technical Assistance and License Agreement (TALA) with Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) that will enable the companies to jointly market liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions leveraging GTT's membrane containment systems and Keppel's shipyard expertise.Keppel O&M's network of global yards will be able to offer GTT's LNG systems in the design, construction and maintenance of LNG carriers, LNG Bunker vessels, LNG-fuelled vessels, and floating storage and regasification units (FSRU).Since completing its first LNG carrier repair in 1990…

China LNG Tariff Casts Shadow Over New US Export Terminals

China set a 10 percent tariff on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, extending a trade dispute into energy and casting a shadow over U.S. export terminals that would propel the United States into the world's second-largest LNG seller.Beijing on Tuesday said it would tax U.S. products worth $60 billion effective Sept. 24 in retaliation for tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in an escalating trade war.The rate was smaller than the 25 percent tariff China had touted earlier, which offered some relief and helped shares in listed U.S. LNG companies climb.The tariffs undermine Trump's drive to use U.S.

Germany to Build LNG Terminal in 'Gesture to U.S.'

Germany will chose a city to host a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal by year end's in what its economy minister on Tuesday called "gesture" to the United States, which wants to increase gas exports to Europe."This is a gesture to our American friends," Peter Altmaier said after a meeting with the EU's energy chief in Brussels.

US Aims to Start LNG Deliveries to Germany in Four Years

U.S. companies expect to begin delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany in four years at the latest and will challenge Russia which now accounts for 60 percent of German gas imports, the deputy U.S. energy secretary told a German newspaper."U.S. liquefied natural gas is coming to Germany. The question is not if, but when," Dan Brouillette told the mass circulation daily Bild in an interview published on Monday.U.S. President Donald Trump in July accused Germany of being a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance and urged it to halt work on the $11 billion…

Cheniere Inks 15-year LNG Sales Pact with Vitol

Cheniere Energy Inc said on Monday that it signed a 15-year agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the world's largest oil trader, Vitol Inc.Cheniere said it will sell 700,000 tonnes of LNG every year to Vitol, starting 2018 and the purchase price will be pegged to the Henry Hub monthly average, plus a fee.The United States has become a major LNG exporter in the last two years, mostly due to the ramp up of Cheniere's Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana. Houston-based Cheniere is also building the Corpus Christi terminal in Texas.

LNG Bunkering to Grow at CAGR of 62.50% CAGR to Reach $247bn in 2023

The global liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering market is expected to witness a CAGR of 62.5% over the forecast period 2017-2023, and is projected to reach USD 24,684.7 million by 2023.The key factors driving the growth of LNG bunkering market are increase in LNG demand in order to reduce the carbon footprint in the shipping industry stringent international emission policy, the best cost- effective alternative fuel and significant rise in government initiatives supporting LNG adoption.According to a research report from Energias Market Research…

African Energy: Senegal Leads Local Content Drive

Senegal is determined to become the new front runner of Africa’s local content development. This is the conclusion of a local content forum held in Dakar on Thursday, organized by Les Conférences du Quotidien and hosted by the African Energy Chamber and Centurion.Presided by Prime Minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, the forum highlighted the potential for Senegal to redefine African standards for domestic capacity building and governance in the continent’s hydrocarbons sector. “Local content is a necessity,” declared the Senegalese Prime Minister during the event.

Novatek Signs Pact for Kamchatka LNG Transshipment Complex

Russia’s natural gas producer Novatek has signed an agreement of intent on implementing a project for the construction of a marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) transshipment complex in the territory of Kamchatka.PAO Novatek, the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Government of the Kamchatka Territory signed an agreement of intent on implementing a project for the construction of a marine LNG transshipment complex in the territory of Kamchatka.The Agreement provides for Novatek’s investment in the amount of approximately RR 70 billion.

Ghana Resurrects LNG Import Terminal with Chinese Deals

Ghana has chosen two Chinese companies to build the infrastructure it needs to import liquefied natural gas, resurrecting the $350 million Tema terminal project that would make the country the first in sub-Saharan Africa to buy LNG.Tema LNG, backed by Africa-focused private equity firm Helios Investment, signed deals with China Harbour Engineering Company to build onshore facilities and Jiangnan Shipyard for a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), the Ghanaian government said in a statement issued on Monday.It gave no further financial details of the deals but said $200 million of the estimated cost of the project of over $350 million w

Uniper Sees Merit in Building LNG Terminal at Wilhelmshaven

Germany's Uniper on Tuesday said it favors a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Wilhelmshaven deep sea port on the North Sea coast, less than a week after peer RWE said it secured access to capacity should a rival project at Brunsbuettel go ahead."Wilhelmshaven in particular can be a suitable location, there are many arguments in favour of it," spokesman Leif Erichsen said in a written statement.He cited the port's ability to offer infrastructure for LNG vessels of all sizes and its proximity to the German long-distance gas pipeline grids and underground storage caverns in the northern state of Lower Saxony where most gas is produced."The

Qatargas, PetroChina Sign 22-Years LNG Supply Deal

Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG producer,  has announced a long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with PetroChina International Company Limited, a unit of PetroChina Company Limited (PetroChina), to supply China with around 3.4 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per annum.Under the 22-year SPA, which ends in 2040, Qatargas will supply LNG from the Qatargas 2 project, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total, to different receiving terminals across China, with the first cargo to be delivered to the People's Republic of China later this month.Commenting on this landmark agreement…

Excelerate, TGS Join for Argentina LNG Export Study

Excelerate Energy and Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS) have provisionally agreed to jointly assess the viability of an LNG liquefaction and export project at Bahia Blanca in Argentina.Argentina currently imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) through two floating import terminals, particularly during the country's peak winter consumption.The successful development of Argentina's shale gas reserves resulted in a potential excess of natural gas during the summer months. The project aims at studying the technical and commercial viability of liquefying and exporting natural gas during the summer season…

Gas Tanker Explosion Kills at Least 35

At least 35 people were killed on Monday and hundreds injured when a gas tanker exploded in northern Nigerian state of Nassarawa, the state emergency agency said.The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) official said the accident happened on Monday at a petrol station along the Lafia-Makurdi road linking the capital city of Abuja with the north and southern Nigeria.(Reporting by Camillus Eboh, Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha, Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Russia's Novatek Signs LNG Agreement with Japan's JOGMEC

Russia's Novatek said on Monday it had signed a framework agreement with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) to cooperate on Novatek's liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the north of Russia."The parties agreed to explore opportunities to cooperate on Novatek's projects in the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas, including the Arctic LNG 2 project, on developing a regular transport link via the Northern Sea Route for LNG deliveries to the Japanese and Asia-Pacific markets," the statement said.Novatek controls the Yamal LNG project, in which France's Total along with China's CNPC and the Silk Road Fund are minority shareholders.Russian and

Repsol to Buy LNG from Venture Global

Venture Global LNG announced that it has entered into a 20-year, binding Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Repsol for the supply of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas from the Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility, currently under development in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, USA.Under this agreement, Repsol will purchase LNG on a free on board (FOB) basis for a 20-year term, starting from the commercial operation date of the Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility, currently…

RWE Reserves German LNG Import Capacity

Europe’s leading energy companies RWE and German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germany’s first LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel in Northern Germany, have reached an agreement for a considerable part of the terminal’s capacity on a long-term basis.This contract follows a successful “Open Season” in which market interest was tested. The total capacity of the combined LNG import and small-scale terminal will be 5 billion cubic metres. RWE has signed a contract that guarantees RWE access to substantial annual capacity.Andree Stracke…

Qatar Petroleum Looking at Downstream Investments in Germany

Qatar Petroleum is looking at a range of possible investments in Germany, including downstream projects and cooperation deals with smaller companies, as part of its overall drive to find new markets for liquefied natural gas, the company's CEO said.Chief Executive Saad Sherida al-Kaabi on Friday confirmed his company's discussions with big German firms Uniper and RWE about cooperating on a potential local LNG terminal.He said the state-owned company was also going to keep working with small- and medium-sized German businesses involved in projects further downstream…

China, ExxonMobil Discuss $10 bln Investment in Guangdong

Chinese officials and executives of ExxonMobil Corp discussed a $10 billion investment by the U.S.-based firm in the southern province of Guangdong, Chinese state television reported on Friday.The state TV report, during its summary of a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods, quoted Li as saying he welcomed Exxon's large investment in China.The report said China and Exxon discussed the $10 billion investment but did not attribute the information to any direct source.Exxon…

Freeport Signs Initial LNG Offtake Deal with Sumitomo for Train 4

* Privately-owned U.S. liquefied natural gas terminal operator Freeport LNG said it had signed a binding agreement with a U.S.

Höegh LNG Secures FSRU Debt Financing

Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd. said it has received commitment letter for a sale and leaseback financing for another floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) of up to $206 million. FSRU #10 is currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, and is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2019.The facility is provided by CCB Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (CCBFL), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Construction Bank (CCB), and is available to fund 70 percent of the delivered cost of the FSRU, increasing to 80 percent once long-term employment for the unit has been secured.

China Will Buy More LNG, but Wants it Smoother, Less Lumpy: Russell

China appears set to once again boost its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the northern winter, but unlike last year's rush, this time the process is likely to be more organised and stable.In recent weeks there have been several indicators that China is planning on increasing the use of natural gas in winter heating, replacing boilers that use more polluting coal.Curbing winter air pollution has been a major aim of the authorities in Beijing, but they were stung by criticism last year that the switch to natural gas was made too quickly and the resulting shortages left some people without adequate heating.A sign that Beijing is putting

Yamal LNG Exports Accelerate in Time for Winter

Liquefied natural gas exports from Novatek's Yamal terminal in the Arctic have come on stream faster than expected over the summer and exceeded volumes from Russia's only other LNG facility, Sakhalin, for the first time in August.The pace of commissioning the multi-billion dollar project has surprised a market used to chronic delays. Additional volumes from the start of another facility should now come in time for the northern hemisphere winter, a time of price spikes.Novatek said earlier this week it had begun commissioning the third train…

Oil Rises on Iran Sanctions, and Dip in U.S. Fuel Inventories

Global oil markets to tighten towards end of 2018 - IEA.Oil prices rose on Thursday, extending gains on growing evidence of disruptions to crude supply from Iran and Venezuela and after a fall in U.S. crude inventories.Benchmark Brent crude oil was up 60 cents a barrel at $77.74 by 1320 GMT. U.S. light crude was 40 cents higher at $69.91.Brent has risen by almost 10 percent over the past two weeks on widespread perceptions that the global oil market is tightening and could run short in the next few months as U.S. sanctions…

Dynagas LNG Partners Gets Extension of Yamal LNG TC

Dynagas LNG Partners has entered into an agreement with Yamal Trade for the early commencement of the long term charter contract for employment of the ice class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Yenisei River in the Yamal LNG Project. The owner and operator of LNG carriers said that pursuant to this agreement, the Yenisei River will commence operating 180 days earlier and as a result, the firm charter period has been extended from 15 years to 15 years plus 180 days. The Yenisei River was delivered early to Yamal LNG on August 14…

Total to Exit Hazira LNG, Sell 26% Stake to Shell

French energy giant Total SA will exit the Indian liquefied natural gas (LNG) venture by selling 26% stake to its partner Royal Dutch Shell, the two companies announced."Total has signed a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Shell for the sale of its 26% minority equity stake in Hazira LNG regasification terminal in India. The transaction remains subject to the approval of regulatory authorities," said a press statement.In parallel, Total has signed an agreement to sell 0.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year to Shell over 5 years, on a delivery basis to supply the markets of India and neighboring countries.

Excelerate Energy Commissions Bangladesh’s First LNG Import Terminal

Excelerate Energy Bangladesh completed the commissioning of its Moheshkhali Floating LNG (MLNG) terminal – Bangladesh’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility – signifying the official commencement of operations for the project.This milestone was achieved approximately 25 months after the execution of project agreements, which took place in July 2016, with the state-owned Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) and 13 months following the receipt of all permits required to achieve financial close in August 2017 with its lenders…

Golar LNG says New Cameroon LNG Project in Full Swing

Golar LNG said on Thursday its pioneering floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project in Cameroon had achieved 100 percent of commercial uptime, following commissioning earlier this year, and was due to offload its sixth cargo soon.The Hilli Episeyo FLNG is the first of its a kind -- an LNG producing vessel converted from an ageing tanker. The start of commercial operations, after producing its first cargo in May, brings Cameroon into a small group of nations exporting LNG.Reporting by Sabina Zawadzki

Hoegh Backs Out of Chile LNG Project but Buoyant on Market

Hoegh LNG said on Thursday it had let agreements lapse in Chile that tied one of its floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import vessels to a project there because approvals for the initiative were likely to be delayed again.The Norwegian company was due to provide a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to GNL Penco for 20 years under a 2015 deal, with an original start date of the second quarter of 2018, but regulatory permits were slow in coming.Hoegh said it had been "made aware that the planned approval process for the GNL Penco FSRU project is likely to be further delayed…

Sinopec, Zhejiang to Build LNG Terminal in China

China's Sinopec Corp has teamed with Zhejiang Energy Group Co Ltd on a 3 million tonne-per-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in east China, with the first phase set for operation at end-2021, the state oil giant said on Wednesday.The project, to be built in Wenzhou of Zhejiang province, includes four tanks each able to store 200,000 cubic meters of LNG, a berth to dock tankers of 30,000 cubic meters to 266,000 cubic meters, as well as a 26-km (16-mile) pipeline.The two companies launched on Monday new entity Zhejiang Zheneng Wenzhou LNG Co Ltd that is 51 percent owned by the Zhejiang group…

Hoegh LNG to Supply FLNG Terminal to Australian Import Project

Norway's Hoegh LNG has won a tender to supply a floating LNG import terminal for a consortium aiming to import liquefied natural gas to Australia's east coast from 2020 in a push to boost local supply.Australian Industrial Energy, a consortium that includes Japan's JERA and Marubeni Corp, said on Monday it signed an agreement giving it the right to lease one of Hoegh LNG's floating storage and regasification units (FSRU), to be docked at Port Kembla.The project needs approvals from the state of New South Wales, which is evaluating the proposal on a fast track as "critical state significant infrastructure", amid pressure to drive down gas prices."W

Bangladesh's First FSRU Starts Operations

Bangladesh started operations at the country's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on Saturday after ironing out teething issues related to technical problems and bad weather, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.The floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), which arrived in Bangladesh in April to offload its maiden cargo of LNG and moor permanently as an import terminal, is now fully ready and has started operations, the sources said.(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan and Ruma Paul; editing by Richard Pullin)

Stena Blue Sky Delivers First LNG Cargo in China

The LNG carrier Stena Blue Sky was historical when it delivered its cargo to the first privately-owned LNG terminal in China.Chinese gas distributor, ENN invited the LNG carrier to become the first vessel to unload at the new Xin’ao Terminal in Zhoushan, Ninbo region on 8th August 2018.Chinese companies build their own LNG terminals and import the fuel directly because they aim to meet higher demand and reduce their dependence on supplies of LNG from state-owned companies. The Zhoushan terminal has a capacity of 3 million tonnes of LNG per year."Being ‘first in China’ is a very rare title and we are all proud we participated in such an event.

Mitsubishi to Acquire 25% Take in Bangladesh LNG Terminal

Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp has agreed to take a 25% interest in Summit's Bangladesh LNG import terminal project - which will be the country's second such terminal.The other 75% of the Summit LNG terminal will remain with Summit Corp.Mitsubishi is planning to help in the development of an offshore receiving facility in the country. It will also develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal that uses a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Bangladesh.Under the project, Summit LNG will install an FSRU 6 kilometre off the coast of the island of Moheshkali in the Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh…

Panama, U.S. to Sign Pact to Expand Regional Access to LNG

Panama on Friday will sign an agreement with the U.S. Treasury and Energy departments aimed at paving the way for more private investment to expand the importation and distribution of U.S. liquefied natural gas in Latin America.David Malpass, Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, said he hopes the "framework agreement" is the first of several with countries in the region to encourage investment to increase access to cheaper, cleaner energy.The agreement is part of a Treasury-led initiative called America Crece, incorporating the Spanish word for growth, aimed at boosting U.S.

Swiss Utility in Talks to Buy LNG from Canada's Goldboro Project

Axpo, a Swiss utility and energy trader, said on Thursday it was in talks for a 10-year supply deal with a Canadian company planning to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.A sales and purchase agreement would boost the chances that Pieridae Energy would decide to build the C$10 billion ($7.6 billion) Goldboro project, which would be the first LNG export terminal on Canada's East Coast.Canada is rich in oil and gas but has yet to export major shipments of LNG to Asia from its West Coast or across the Atlantic from its East Coast."Under the term sheet with Pieridae Energy…

Woodside Petroleum Half-year Profit Rises

Australia's Woodside Petroleum Ltd said on Wednesday that its first-half net profit rose 6 percent and it raised its 2018 production outlook after strong performances from its Wheatstone and Pluto LNG projects.For the 2018 fiscal year, Woodside said it now expects fiscal 2018 production between to 87 mmboe to 91 mmboe from an earlier outlook of 85 mmboe to 90 mmboe.Production costs per barrel of oil equivalent across all operating assets for 2018 are expected to be between $5.50 and $5.80, Woodside said.Australia's biggest…

Enestas Boosts SEA\LNG’s Presence in Americas

SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, announced that it has welcomed Mexico-based LNG company Enestas to its membership coalition.With the addition of Enestas, the SEA\LNG coalition bolsters its efforts to drive forward LNG as a marine fuel, and to progress its vital role as a viable solution in the energy transition within shipping.As the largest private LNG company in Mexico and with the largest LNG distribution network…

Sovcomflot's Pskov Loads First Cargo from Yamal LNG

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Pskov completed loading at the Port of Sabetta (YNAD), with the first cargo of LNG produced from the second high-tech production line at the Yamal LNG plant.August 08 marked the launch of the second production train at Yamal LNG, which happened six months ahead of schedule.Pskov is a state-of-the-art Atlanticmax LNG carrier with a cargo capacity of 170,000 cubic metres. She was built to order for Sovcomflot Group in 2014, to transport LNG under a long-term time charter agreement with Gazprom.

Yamal LNG Commissioned in Record Time

Russia’s PAO Novatek has launched a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train at its plant on the Yamal peninsula ahead of schedule.Russia's largest independent natural gas producer announced that "Yamal LNG has launched the second LNG train and dispatched the first cargo from this unit. The second LNG train commissioned six months ahead of its original schedule, and combined with the first LNG train launch in December 2017, has achieved the commissioning of the first two LNG trains in record time."The first gas…

Gas to Become World's Primary Energy Source by 2035

Oil and gas will be crucial components of the world’s energy future, according to DNV GL’s forecast of the energy transition. While renewable energy will grow its share of the energy mix, oil and gas will account for 44% of world energy supply in 2050, compared to 53% today.Gas will become the largest single source of energy from 2034.DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook (ETO), a forecast that spans the global energy mix to 2050, predicts that global demand for energy will flatten in 2030, then steadily decline over the next two decades, thanks to step-changes in energy efficiency.

Cheniere on Track to Finish 3 US LNG Trains in 2019

U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Cheniere Energy Inc said on Thursday it remains on track to finish building three liquefaction trains in 2019 at its export terminals at Sabine Pass in Louisiana and Corpus Christie in Texas:* The company said in its second quarter earnings release that Sabine 5 and Corpus 1 are expected to enter service in the first half of 2019, followed by Corpus 2 in the second half of 2019.* Corpus 3 is expected to enter service in the second half of 2021.* All of Cheniere's liquefaction trains are capable of liquefying about 0.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of natural gas.

Tellurian to Start Building Louisiana LNG Export Terminal in 2019

U.S. liquefied natural gas company Tellurian Inc said on Wednesday it remains on track to begin construction of its Driftwood LNG export terminal in Louisiana in the first half of 2019 and begin operations in 2023.Tellurian President and CEO Meg Gentle said in the company's second-quarter earnings release that Tellurian is on schedule to announce its partners in the Driftwood project in the third or fourth quarter.Driftwood is one of more than two dozen LNG export projects under development in the United States seeking…

Papua New Guinea LNG Export Plant Offers Cargo for September

Exxon Mobil's Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant has offered a cargo for delivery in September, two industry sources said on Tuesday.The cargo is to be delivered into Japan, Taiwan, South Korea or China, and the tender closes on Wednesday with bids to remain valid until Thursday, one of the sources said.This is expected to provide some relief to the spot market at a time when spot demand from Japan and South Korea has been firm due to warm temperature, traders said.(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Tom Hogue)

Petronas Delivers First LNG Cargo to Hokkaido Electric

Malaysian state-owned oilcompany Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) through its subsidiary, Malaysia LNG (MLNG) delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to Japan's Hokkaido Electric Power on August 1st, 2018.This delivery marks the beginning of MLNG's supply to Hokkaido Electric via a 10-year Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) signed on 2 March 2017.Hokkaido Electric will be utilising the cargo for the commissioning of its LNG tank at Ishikari Terminal. The cargo was delivered from Petronas LNG Complex in Bintulu, Sarawak to Ishikari by Puteri Delima Satu, the LNG vessel chartered by MLNG and operated by Petronas' subsidiary MISC Bhd.

​​​​Chinese Tariffs on LNG, Oil May Threaten US Energy Dominance

China's targeting of U.S. liquefied natural gas and crude oil exports opens a new front in the trade war between the two countries, at a time when the White House is trumpeting growing U.S. energy export prowess.China included LNG for the first time in its list of proposed tariffs on Friday, the same day that its biggest U.S. crude oil buyer, Sinopec, suspended U.S. crude oil imports due to the dispute, according to three sources familiar with the situation.On Friday, China announced retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S.

Gas Production at Egypt's 9B Field to Begin in October - Minister

Production of natural gas from two deepwater wells at Shell's West Nile Delta field 9B in Egypt will begin in the first half of October, the country's petroleum minister said on Friday.Tarek El Molla said in a statement the whole project, which includes several other wells being dug and linked to production, was set for completion in the second half of 2019 and that its output aims to reach 400 million cubic feet per day.The statement did not say how much gas the first two wells would initially produce.Egypt plans to become…

Croatia Extends LNG Terminal Gas Bidding Deadline

A deadline for bids on output from a planned offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be built on Croatia's northern Adriatic island of Krk has been extended until Sept. 28, developers LNG Croatia said on Friday.Demand will dictate the capacity of the 250 million euro terminal, which is part of EU-led efforts to diversify away from Russian energy imports.The deadline on bidding for output was Aug. 3 but was delayed on requests from potential customers who are still in negotiations, LNG Croatia said.The European…

NYK Line and Partners Set Up Second LNG Bunkering Project

NYK Line has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kyushu Electric Power, Saibu Gas, and The Chugoku Electric Power for joint discussions on the commercialization of a new business to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel to ships in the Setouchi and Kyushu areas of western Japan.This is the second LNG bunkering project NYK Line is engaged in after investing in an LNG bunkering vessel with "K" Line, Chubu Electric, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation."The demand for LNG as a marine fuel, a practical alternative to heavy fuel oil because of its relatively low emission of air polluting substances and greenhouse gases…