Excelerate, Equinor Perform First STS LNG Transfer
The first ever ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was completed in The Bahamas by Excelerate Energy and Equinor Energy AS.According to Excelerate, which provides transportation and marketing of LNG, its floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) Exemplar and Equinor’s LNG carrier Arctic Voyager were used for the LNG transfer."A full LNG cargo was transferred using the double-banked LNG transfer system while moored at Equinor’s South Riding Point storage and transshipment terminal which is strategically located for storage and transshipment of crude…
Polaris Bunkered in Finland
The world’s first LNG-fueled icebreaker, Polaris, received liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel in January from the Pori LNG import terminal and in February from the Manga LNG terminal located in the Röyttä Harbor in Tornio, Finland. The commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year, said a press release from Nordic gas company Gasum.The gas and fuel market of Northern Finland will diversify as the commercial use of the Tornio import terminal begins this year. Access to LNG is an important competitiveness factor for current industrial operators in the area as well as for the Port of Tornio.
Anadarko, Bharat Petroleum Sign LNG Deal
American petroleum and natural gas exploration and production company Anadarko, on behalf of the Mozambique Area 1 partners, signed a deal with Bharat Gas Resources (BGR) for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes from the Mozambique LNG development.The sale and purchase agreement (SPA) is for 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) for a term of 15 years. BGR is a wholly owned subsidiary of Government of India controlled oil and gas giant Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)."In addition to BPCL being an upstream equity co-venturer in the Mozambique LNG project…
Anadarko Nearing FID for Mozambique LNG
U.S. independent energy producer Anadarko moved closer to a final investment decision (FID) to build a giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Mozambique after signing up an Indian buyer for the gas and saying another deal was imminent.Anadarko and Exxon Mobil are expected to sanction two separate but neighboring LNG projects in Mozambique this year after finding large offshore gas deposits, turning the African nation into a major global gas exporter.The company said on Friday it had struck a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) with India's Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd for 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) for 15 years…
US Oil Rallies as Exporters Trim Production
U.S. oil prices rose on Friday, gaining for a fourth day on hopes of further supply cuts by major exporters, despite uncertainty about U.S.-China trade talks.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $54.79 per barrel at 0038 GMT, up 40 cents, or 0.7 percent, from their last settlement. They rose 51 cents, or 0.95 percent, on Thursday.International Brent crude oil futures had yet to trade, after closing up 1.5 percent in the previous session."The crude oil market shrugged off concerns about the trade talks as signs of further reduction from OPEC+ continue to mount…
Chevron in LNG Supply Deal with GS Caltex
American multinational energy corporation Chevron signed a new sales and purchase agreement with South Korean oil refiner GS Caltex Corporation for the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to South Korea.As a joint venture between Chevron and GS Energy, GS Caltex has signed a long-term agreement and will begin receiving LNG in October 2019, said a press release from the U.S. oil and gas major.Chevron’s President of Global Gas, Hugh Connett stated the agreement is another indication of the significance of the long-standing…
GasLog: LNG Demand Grew 9% in 2018
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to have increased by 9%, from 288 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2017 to 313 mtpa in 2018, said GasLog.The Monaco-based owner, operator and manager of LNG carriers said in a stock exchange announcement that China’s LNG imports increased by approximately 16 mtpa, or 41%, to 54 mtpa in 2018, driven mainly by continued coal-to-gas switching in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors.South Korea, Pakistan, Thailand and Mexico also experienced strong growth in LNG imports during 2018.
Woodside Raises Dividend
Australia's Woodside Petroleum Ltd surprised investors with a fat dividend on Thursday after reporting a 36-percent percent rise in annual profit, underpinned by stronger oil prices.The higher-than-expected payout came after shareholders stumped up $2.5 billion to buy new shares a year ago at a time when Australia's biggest independent oil and gas producer expected oil prices to average $65 a barrel.By the end of the year it was flush with cash as oil prices had averaged $71 and the Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project…
Pluto LNG Facility Resumes Full Output
Woodside Petroleum's Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility has resumed full output after a brief outage last week, a company spokeswoman said on Wednesday.There was no impact on production guidance, she said without elaborating.The 4.9 million tonnes per annum (mmtpa) LNG facility is operated and 90 percent owned by Woodside with the remaining shares held by Japan's Kansai Electric and Tokyo Gas.(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Oceanic Breeze Brings LNG to Japan
Japanese energy company INPEX Corporation announced that the LNG Tanker Oceanic Breeze called for the first time at INPEX’s Naoetsu LNG Terminal located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.The tanker has delivered a cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project in Australia.Oceanic Breeze is owned by Oceanic Breeze LNG Transport S. A. (OBLT), a joint venture between INPEX Shipping Co., Ltd. (INPEX Shipping) (30%) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K-Line) (70%), and designated to transport…
Roll Group Completes at Elba Island LNG
Heavy lift specialist Roll Group said it has completed its activities on the expansion of the LNG plant at the Elba Island project in Savannah, Georgia."The activities on Elba Island have come to an end for Roll-Lift USA. Mid-January the last equipment was removed, after working more than two years with an extensive fleet of equipment and a large team on the expansion of the LNG plant at the Elba Island Project located in Savannah, Georgia," said a press release.The first challenge to overcome was the low weight limit and deteriorating condition of the only access bridge on to the island.
German LNG Terminal Signs New Pact
German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germany’s first LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, has reached another long-term commercial capacity agreement with an unnamed global LNG player.The gas infrastructure company consisting of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), Oiltanking GmbH and Vopak LNG Holding B.V said in a press release that the parties agreed on the commitment of a substantial part of the terminal capacity.Negotiations with other interested parties are ongoing. As a result of strong market demand…
INPEX Selects NAPA for LNG Carrier Fleet
Japan's largest oil and gas exploration and production company INPEX Corporation has installed ClassNK-NAPA GREEN for monitoring operations on three of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.NAPA said that Inpex awarded a deal to the company for the provision of a solution for monitoring and follow-up of ship operations on two LNG carriers built to service the Ichthys project and one LNG carrier for Shell’s Prelude FLNG project.With the core motivation of accurately verifying the technical performance of these highly complex carriers…
Shell, Eni, Exxon Win Concessions in Egypt
Royal Dutch Shell, Eni, BP and Exxon Mobil were among winners of Egypt's international tender for oil and gas exploration on Tuesday, with 12 concessions awarded in total.It marks Exxon Mobil's entry into gas exploration in Egypt, while Shell was awarded the most concessions in the tender - three for oil and two for gas.Neptune Energy, Merlon, Shell, Eni and state-controlled Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) were awarded seven oil exploration concessions in total in which 39 wells will be drilled, Egypt's petroleum ministry said in a statement.Egypt has in recent years reached maritime demarcation agreements with several countries in t
LNG Demand to Reach 600 MT in 2035
The energy demand would continue to grow driven by emerging economies and the projected growth in global population, which will touch nine billion by 2040.LNG demand is expected to increase at an average four per cent annually to reach more than 600 million tonnes in 2035 versus 290 million tonnes in 2017, said Qatargas CEO, Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani.Khalid said, “Natural gas remains the fastest growing fossil fuel globally, benefiting from its flexibility, competitive economics, and low emissions profile. Thus, natural gas is called to play a major role in the energy transition…
Qatar’s LNG to Reach 110 MTPA
Qatar plans to raise its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to 110 million tonnes per year by 2023.A report in Mubasher cited Qatargas’ CEO saying that there are many LNG projects under execution but they still do not meet the rising demands.Qatargas, the largest LNG producer in the world, operates 14 production trains, with a total annual production capacity of 77 million tonnes.The fourth liquefaction train will further boost Qatar’s leading position as the world’s largest LNG producer and exporter. When the expansion project…
Polaris Refuels in Finland
World’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) icebreaker Polaris refueled for the first time at the Nordic countries’ largest LNG terminal in Tornio in the icy Röyttä Harbour.As of yet, LNG is the world’s most environmentally friendly ship fuel. It does not contain sulphur, and its combustion generates approximately 87% less nitrogen oxides in comparison to regularly used Marine Diesel Oil (MDO). Furthermore, LNG’s particulate matter emissions are nearly non-existent.From the outset, Polaris was designed as an icebreaker that combines efficiency with environmental friendliness.“This is the third winter in the demanding…
Elengy LNG Terminal Hit Records in 2018
Elengy, a unit of the French energy company and LNG player Engie, reported record activities at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals during 2018.The French LNG operator said in a press release thatits Montoir-de-Bretagne terminal also reached a number of milestones during the year. Elengy and its subsidiary Fosmax LNG berthed 215 vessels at its facilities, with 106 TWh of natural gas delivered to the transmission network, a 13 percent jump on 2017 figures, it said.It reported 21 LNG transshipment operations (berth to berth) and 19 reloading of standard LNG carriers (from shore to vessel).
Exmar's Tango FLNG Arrives in Argentina
Belgian shipowner Exmar said its first floating LNG (FLNG) production unit Tango FLNG, to be renamed Tango FLNG, has berthed in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.The Nicolas Saverys-led shipowner said in a press release that the Caribbean FLNG will stay in Bahia Blanca and produce LNG for export for YPF over a ten-year period.After contract signing in November 2018, the unit was transported from China to Argentina onboard a heavy lift vessel.The next major project milestone will involve outfitting and commissioning the unit. Departure…
Shell Awards FEED Work for Crux
Wood and KBR,Inc. have secured a new multimillion dollar contract to deliver integrated front-end engineering design (FEED) for Shell Australia’s Crux project to build a not normally manned (NNM) platform and gas export pipeline located approximately 600km north of Broome, offshore Western Australia (WA).The Crux facilities will be a source of backfill gas supply to the Shell-operated Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility. The remotely operated, minimum facilities NNM platform concept for Crux will dry…
Anadarko Shell Deal for Mozambique LNG
US company Anadarko Petroleum has signed a major long-term contract to shore up its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Mozambique.The Woodlands-based oil and gas company said that Mozambique LNG1 Company, the jointly owned sales entity of the Mozambique Area 1 co-venturers, has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Shell International Trading Middle East. The SPA is for 2 million tonnes of LNG per annum (MTPA) for a term of 13 years. "We are very pleased to announce this SPA with Shell, which builds upon previously announced deals and takes our total long-term sales to more than 7.5 MTPA…
QP, Exxon to Build $10B LNG Plant in Texas
Exxon Mobil and Qatar Petroleum announced a final decision to finance a $10 billion-plus project to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Texas Gulf Coast.Construction of the Golden Pass LNG export project located in Sabine Pass will begin in the first quarter of 2019 and the facility is expected to start up in 2024, said a press release.“Golden Pass will provide an increased, reliable, long-term supply of liquefied natural gas to global gas markets, stimulate local growth and create thousands of jobs,” said Darren Woods…
Titan LNG, Fluxys to Build FlexFueler 002
Belgium-based natural gas transmission system operator Fluxys and Netherlands-based Titan LNG have joined forces to build the FlexFueler 002, a bunkering pontoon to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) more widely available as shipping fuel in the Antwerp port and region.Shipyard Kooiman, Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands, was contracted to build the FlexFueler 002. The pontoon, which is scheduled to be commissioned by mid-2020, will measure 76.4 x 11.45 m and is equipped with four vacuum insulated type C cargo tanks of 370 cu. m. each, to carry liquid LNG. The pontoon is not self propelled but for assistance in maneuvering a bow thruster is installed.
Equatorial Guinea to Offer Ophir's Old Blocks
Equatorial Guinea will offer offshore Block R with the related Fortuna gas development project in the April licensing round, after the concession was reclaimed from Ophir Energy Plc, the oil minister said on Tuesday.Gabriel Obiang Lima told Reuters in Cape Town that Block R would be one of up to 13 deepwater and ultra deepwater blocks offered in the licensing round on April 1.Ophir was denied an extension in December to its licence for Block R and its plan for a floating liquiefied natural gas (LNG) project. Losing the block prompted Ophir to say it would report a $300 million non-cash right down in its full-year results.Equatorial Guinea…
Anadarko Sells LNG to CNOOC
U.S. oil giant Anadarko Petroleum said it has signed a deal with one of China’s biggest importers to supply 1.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year from Mozambique for a period of 13 years.The contract, signed by Anadarko and China’s GNOOC Gas and Power Singapore Trading & Marketing, gives China’s biggest liquefied natural gas importer access to world-class gas resources from Mozambique LNG, Mitch Ingram, executive vice president of Anadarko’s International, Deepwater and Exploration division, said."Mozambique LNG is extremely pleased to have CNOOC onboard as one of our foundation customers," added Ingram.
Port Arthur LNG Gets Permits
U.S. energy company and LNG operator Sempra Energy said that its Port Arthur LNG export terminal has moved one step closer to obtaining a federal permit.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a positive environmental impact statement for the project on Thursday, clearing Port Arthur LNG for the next round of the review process.FERC report concluded the project “would result in some adverse environmental impacts, but these impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels.”In addition to the Port Arthur LNG project approval…
Arctic LNG 2, Siemens Sign Deal
Russian gas producer Novatek said that it had signed a deal with German tech giant Siemens to buy compressors for its new Arctic LNG 2 natural gas liquefaction plant.Novatek's second LNG export facility after Yamal LNG, the 19.8 million mt/year Arctic LNG-2 project is moving closer to the reality after this deal.The scope of supply under the contract includes three feed gas compressors and six boil-off gas compressors. The document also provides for localizing the equipment fabrication for the Project’s third train in Russia.“Siemens…
Anadarko, CNOOC Ink Mozambique LNG Deal
Anadarko Petroleum Corp said on Friday a long-term agreement had been signed with the trading division of China's state-owned offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC Ltd to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Mozambique.The deal will bring it one step closer to making a final investment decision for its East African LNG project, with the decision expected in the first half of this year.Mozambique LNG1 Company, the jointly-owned sales entity of the Mozambique Area 1 co-venturers, had signed a sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with CNOOC's gas and power Singapore Trading and Marketing unit, Anadarko said.The SPA is for 1.5 million tonnes per annum
MOL's LNG-Fueled Tug Begins Bunkering
Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) that its LNG-fueled tugboat 'Ishin' bunkered LNG fuel in Sakai Senboku Port for the first time, in preparation for test operation.MOL ordered the vessel from Kanagawa Dockyard. This is the first bunkering of LNG as a vessel fuel at any port in the Kansai region.The LNG fuel was supplied by Osaka Gas using a truck-to-ship LNG bunkering procedure. The truck-to-ship LNG bunkering procedure supplies LNG fuel from an LNG truck on shore.After test sailing with LNG fuel, the Ishin is slated for delivery in late February…
FLNG Market Oversupplied
Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) projects may have peaked already amid intensifying competition in the LNG space, a review of the global FLNG sector released by global natural resources consultancy Wood Mackenzie has suggested.In a world requiring tight capital discipline, FLNG offers lower capital investment and manageable costs, particularly in frontier regions. But Wood Mackenzie indicated that future project opportunities are in short supply as FLNG competes for capital and buyers in a busy LNG market. According to Liam Kelleher…
Japan Ink LNG Supply Deal with China
Japanese natural gas utility and supplier Shizuoka Gas signed an LNG sale and purchase agreement with Clean Energy in China for the delivery of chilled fuel from the Shimizu LNG terminal in ISO containers.Shizuoka Gas has been seeking further utilizations of Shimizu LNG terminal since 2017 when it made a success of reloading LNG through the reloading facility.According to Japanese gas company, this is the first binding term contract in Japan to transport LNG through ISO tank containers to China where gas demand is rapidly…
Qatar Mulls Buying 60 New LNG Carriers
Qatar’s energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, who also serves as deputy chairman of Qatar Petroleum (QP), outlined plans to order 60 new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.Reuters, quoting a statement issued by South Korea’s presidential office, reported that the energy minister expects cooperation with experienced Korean shipbuilders on constructing the LNG carriers.Qatar is the world’s largest supplier of LNG, with an annual production of 77 million tons. Last year, it announced it would further ramp up its annual…
Study Prompts Investments in LNG as Marine Fuel
A new study by the consulting group SEA/LNG reveals “a strong investment case” for LNG as a marine fuel in the container shipping market.The study was commissioned from the independent simulation and analytics company Opsiana in order to provide shipowners and operators in analyzing investment opportunities, said a press release from SEA\LNG.Peter Keller, Chairman, SEA\LNG, said: “We commissioned this study from independent simulation and analytics expert Opsiana to support shipowners and operators in analysing their investment opportunities in an informed way…
Polskie LNG Gets Permits for Terminal Expansion
Polish LNG terminal operator Polskie LNG has obtained a set of environmental and location decisions for all projects implemented under the LNG Terminal Expansion Program.The environmental permits are final, while the decisions issued by the Governor of West Pomerania are immediately enforceable (which stems directly from the provisions of the Special Act on the LNG Terminal).The Expansion Program of President Lech Kaczyński's LNG Terminal is implemented as scheduled."The environmental decision and location permit are of…
ExxonMobil Signs LNG Tie-up Pact with Uniper
German utility Uniper SE signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited in respect of a long-term booking of a substantial share of regasification capacity in Uniper’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) project Wilhelmshaven for receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG).According to a press release, the parties will continue their discussions in the coming months with the goal to enter into binding agreements soon.Keith Martin, Chief Commercial Officer of Uniper SE, says: “The Heads of Agreement is an important step towards the realization of the Wilhelmshaven FSRU project.
Senegal Awards LNG, Oil Advisory Job to Doris Engineering
French engineering services provider Doris Engineering has been awarded an advisor contract by the Senegalese ministry of petroleum and energies for the development of oil & gas projects offshore Senegal.This two-year mission consists in reviewing the optimization and the robustness of the field development performed on these projects to be in line with the Ministry expectations. It focuses on two projects: Grand Tortue Ahmeyim, operated by BP, and the SNE project, operated by Woodside.Grand Tortue Ahmeyim is located at the border between Senegal and Mauritania and lies in ultradeep-water.
Russia's Novatek Sees LNG from U.S. as its Threat
Leonid Mikhelson, the head of Russia's Novatek said on Friday that liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States as its chief threat, Interfax news agency reported.He said, according to Interfax, that LNG production in the U.S. enjoys cheap financing, while LNG production in Russia has a competitive edge thanks to its low production costs.Qatar is the world's biggest LNG producer.Energy companies are flooding Europe with U.S.
ExxonMobil Inks Preliminary Wilhelmshaven FSRU Deal
German utility Uniper on Friday said ExxonMobil had signed a preliminary deal to take a substantial share of the regasification capacity at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating terminal planned for Wilhelmshaven."The heads of agreement (a non-binding draft) is an important step towards the realization of the Wilhelmshaven floating storage and regasification (FSRU) project," said Keith Martin, Uniper's chief commercial officer."The FSRU will provide LNG companies from the United States, but also other countries from around the world…
PGNiG LNG Loads 4000th Tank Truck at Swionujscie Terminal
Polish state-controlled oil and gas company Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA (PGNiG) has released a statement claiming that the 4000th tank truck loaded with LNG has successfully left the Swionujscie terminal."Last year 1,794 LNG tank trucks filled with LNG left the Świnoujście terminal, compared to 1,523 in 2017. Since the mid-2016, when the LNG terminal became operational, a total of 4,000 tank trucks were loaded with LNG by PGNiG," it said in a statement.PGNiG strengthens its position in the small-scale LNG market…
Santos Sees Production Surge on Quadrant Acquisition
Santos Ltd, Australia's No. 2 independent gas producer, on Thursday said it expects 2019 production to rise by up to 32 percent boosted by the acquisition of Quadrant assets.The company expects to churn out 71 million to 78 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in 2019, Santos said in a statement.UBS estimates 2019 production to be 73.7 mmboe.The company posted annual production of 58.9 mmboe, beating its production guidance of 56 mmboe to 58 mmboe and in line with a Macquarie estimate.The Quadrant buyout coupled with…
Gazprom, Mitsui Discuss LNG Cooperation
Japanese trading house and liquefied natural gas market participant Mitsui has held talks with Russia’s giant Gazprom on cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.A working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Masami Iijima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., took place in Moscow.They discussed about the progress made in two Russian plans to expand LNG output, on the existing Sakhalin Island plant in the Far East and at a planned facility west of Saint Petersburg."The parties discussed current issues related to bilateral collaboration…
LNG Import: China is World's No. 2 buyer in 2018
China's imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in December soared 25 percent from the same period a year earlier to a monthly record of 6.29 million tonnes, customs data showed on Wednesday.The previous record of 5.99 million tonnes was set in November.For the whole of 2018, imports grew 41 percent from 2017 to a record 53.78 million tonnes, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs. That saw China retain its position as the world's second-buyer buyer of the super-chilled fuel after Japan, having…
Gazprom Neft Considering Arctic LNG Production
Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian gas giant Gazprom, is studying the possibility of its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in the Arctic as it tries to monetize its vast natural gas reserves.The discussions follow the successful launch of the Arctic-based Yamal LNG plant, controlled by Novatek, in December 2017.
Newcomers Pile into Race for Qatar LNG
Qatar is preparing to issue a tender for energy firms seeking a stake in its gas expansion project, drawing interest from long-standing partners as well as newcomers Chevron, Norway's Equinor and Italy's Eni, industry sources said.Plans to expand Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, already the world's largest, by more than a third in the next five years are considered one of the most lucrative investments in the rapidly growing global gas market.Competition is expected to be fierce.The huge interest underscores how successfully the small Gulf country positioned itself in the face of a boycott imposed in 2017 by Saudi Arabia…
FSRU Enters Qatar Drydock for Maintenance
A floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) owned by U.S. based Excelerate Energy will undergo drydocking, maintenance and upgrades at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Qatar, prior to its deployment in Bangladesh.The drydocking of FSRU Excelerate, announced Tuesday by Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM), marks the first FSRU project for the yard known for its work with gas carriers.FSRU Excelerate will undergo several modifications and retrofitting of new systems, including the installation of a ballast water treatment system (BWTS).
Elengy Puts LNG Capacities on Sale
Elengy, the main French LNG terminal operator, has announced that it is preparing the sale of access capacities to the Fos Tonkin LNG terminal for the period 2021 – 2030, in the context of a dynamic liquified natural gas (LNG) market.The unit of the energy giant Engie said in a press release that within the sale process, Elengy will offer its potential customers several types of services, including the conventional unloading of Medmax-type LNG tankers (vessel with a capacity of 75,000m3 of LNG), the reloading of micro-tankers for LNG bunkering needs…
Floating LNG Power Vessel Market Set to Exceed USD 1 Bln
The Global Floating LNG Power Vessel market accounted for $780.14 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $1,073.54 million by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2017 to 2026.According to a market research report by ResearchAndMarkets, some of the factors such as growing demand for power coupled with the lack of power infrastructure and increase in hybrid fuel engines are fueling the market growth.However, factors such as high capital cost associated with operations, maintenance, transportation, and logistics are restraining the market growth…
Total Green-lights Ikike Oil Project in Nigeria
French oil group Total will approve plans to proceed with the Ikike project in Nigeria in the coming months, and also aims to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the country, CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Monday.Total is one of the strongest players in the African oil sector, holding more proven reserves on the continent than any of the other top global oil companies.The 60,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) Ikike project is one of several projects the group has earmarked in Nigeria for a final investment decision, including the 70…
Russia: Japan's Mitsubishi Interested in Arctic LNG 2 Project
Russia's energy ministry said on Monday that Japan's Mitsubishi Corp has expressed interest in participation in the Arctic LNG 2 project, which is due to start producing liquefied natural gas in the next decade.Novatek owns a 90 percent stake in the project, with France's Total holding the other 10 percent. Novatek intends to keep a 60 percent stake in Arctic LNG 2, offering 30 percent to other investors.Energy ministry officials have met representatives from Mitsubishi, the ministry said without elaborating.Last month two sources said that Mitsui…
Bahrain's First LNG Terminal Ready for Business
Bahrain expected to start LNG imports early this year; FSU on 20-year time charter to Bahrain LNG arrives in the GulfBahrain's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating unit arrived in the Gulf this week as the country gets ready for its maiden imports of the super-chilled fuel this year, data from Refinitiv Eikon showed.Bahrain Spirit, a floating storage unit (FSU) with a capacity of about 173,000 cubic meters, is currently anchored in Fujairah after docking in the United Arab Emirates region on Jan. 13, the data showed.The FSU is on a 20-year charter to Bahrain LNG…
LNG REPORT: LNG Bunkering Vessels Rise to Nine, 30 More to Come
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure is expanding globally and there are increasing numbers of LNG-bunker vessels which are encouraging other operators to adopt LNG.According to SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, from limited availability at select ports, LNG bunkering has grown to encompass 24 out of the world’s top 25 and all but one of the top ten bunker ports globally."The single operational LNG…
LNG REPORT: 143 LNG-Powered Vessels in Operation, 270 to Come
Currently, the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered fleet has grown globally from 118 LNG-powered vessels in operation in 2017, to 143 LNG-powered vessels in operation – with a further 135 on order and 135 LNG-ready ships either in operation or on order.According to the LNG bunkering coalition SEA\LNG, Orders for LNG-powered vessels span a variety of vessel types including tankers, cruise ships, container ships, car carriers, and Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC)s.A press note issued by Peter Keller, SEA\LNG Chairman revealed that in 2018…
Woodside Boosts Spending for Next Leg of Growth
Australia's Woodside Petroleum Ltd on Thursday flagged higher-than-expected investment spending for 2019 as it steps up early work on the two big natural gas developments that will drive its growth in the next decade.Australia's largest independent gas and oil producer plans to spend between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion in 2019 on projects, significantly higher than an estimate from UBS of $1.2 billion.At the same time it is roughly halving exploration spending from $273 million last year."The cut in exploration spend is really us looking forward now that we've got growing confidence in the projects -- in Browse…
Novatek Production Rose 6.9% in 2018
Russia's largest independent natural gas producer Novatek said that total hydrocarbon production during 2018 increased by 6.9%, and had increased sales of gas."In 2018, Novatek’s hydrocarbon production totaled 548.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), including 68.81 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas and 11,800 thousand tons of liquids (gas condensate and crude oil), resulting in an increase in total hydrocarbons produced by 35.1 million boe, or by 6.9% as compared with the twelve months 2017," said a press release from the oil-and-gas company.Preliminary natural gas sales volumes…
Singapore MPA, Société Générale Join LNG Advocacy Group
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) advocacy group SEA\LNG has announced the appointment of Paul Taylor representing Société Générale and Capt M. Segar representing MPA (The Maritime and Port Authority) of Singapore as Directors of SEA\LNG Ltd.Following elections last December, Tahir Faruqui and Xavier Pfeuty also join the SEA\LNG Board as new directors representing Shell and Total Marine Fuels respectively.Welcoming them to the Board, reappointed Chairman Peter Keller said: “2018 was an exciting year for the LNG industry and our coalition.
PetroChina Boosts European LNG Activity with Yamal Cargoes
China's top oil and gas company PetroChina is selling spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes on the European market from Russia's Yamal plant, adding to a flood of volumes to the continent amid subdued Asian demand, trade sources said.PetroChina's increased presence in Europe is an example of how Asian energy companies are expanding their role as LNG traders, engaging in LNG transactions globally.The early start-up of Yamal LNG's second and third trains, or production lines, in 2018 raised spot volumes from Russia and helped PetroChina boost its European market presence…
CNOOC Storing LNG Offshore
China's state-owned CNOOC is temporarily storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a tanker off South Korea as a warmer than usual winter cuts expected spot demand for the fuel, industry sources said on Wednesday.China faced a severe winter gas shortage last year after switching millions of households to natural gas from coal for heating, prompting Chinese companies this winter to secure supply well ahead of time, they said.However, the winter so far has been relatively mild and weather data from Refinitiv Eikon largely points towards warmer than usual temperatures ahead…
Gorgon LNG Plant in Australia Shuts Train 3
Chevron Corp's Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project has temporarily halted train 3 to address a mechanical issue, a company spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday.The cause of the halt is being investigated, he said."There is no interruption to trains 1 and 2 and we continue to produce LNG and load cargoes," he said.The outage is expected to boost Asian LNG prices that are currently at an eight-month low and their weakest for this time of year in at least two years due to a mild winter in East Asia, industry sources said."It should lend some support to prices…
Melkoeya LNG Plant Restarts Operations
Norwegian oil and gas firm Equinor has restarted operations at its Melkoeya LNG plant after an outage ten days ago, the company said on Monday.The plant, which liquefies natural gas from the Arctic Snoehvit gas field for transportation by tankers, has been shut since Jan. 4 due to a compressor failure.(Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Terje Solsvik)
US to Become Third Largest LNG Exporter in 2019
The coming year is expected to make the U.S. the third largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, creating jobs stateside while reducing emissions and providing reliable energy to countries around the world, said American Petroleum Institute (API).API, Center for LNG, and LNG Allies, the three national trade associations specializing in U.S. LNG, today issued a first-of-its-kind joint statement on the extraordinary developments expected in U.S. LNG in 2019.Todd Snitchler, Vice President of Market Development at the American Petroleum Institute, said: “The dramatic expansion of U.S.
Singapore LNG and YTL PowerSeraya Appoint New CEOs
Singapore-based energy company YTL PowerSeraya and LNG terminal operator Singapore LNG Corp (SLNG) announced that they have appointed new chief executive officers (CEOs).YTL PowerSeraya said that han Swee Huat has decided to step down as CEO of the Group with effect from 15 January 2019. Chan plans to retire but will continue to serve as an advisor to parent company YTL Power International.He will be succeeded by industry veteran John Ng, who was most recently the CEO of Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG). Not new to YTL PowerSeraya…
Petrofac Secures Brunei Contract
Oilfield services provider Petrofac and its partner Serikandi Oilfield and Services Sdn Bhd, have secured a multi-annual Engineering Design Services contract to support Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Brunei LNG (BLNG) in Brunei.Petrofac and partner Serikandi will provide engineering across all phases of the asset lifecycle for the entire portfolio of onshore and offshore assets for BSP and BLNG. All engineering and design work will be undertaken in Brunei, with the team located at offices in Kuala Belait.Mani Rajapathy, Managing Director, Petrofac EPS East, said the contract marks the company's return to Brunei after a number of years.
Shell Acquires 26% Stake in Hazira LNG
Royal Dutch Shell announced that it has completed the acquisition of French oil major Total SA's 26 percent stake in the company that operates 5 million tonnes per annum-Hazira LNG terminal in Gujarat, India."Shell Gas, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, acquired 26% equity interest in the Hazira LNG and Port Ventures from French energy major Total Gaz Electricité Holdings, to complete the acquisition," said a press statement.The move allows Shell to build an integrated gas value chain: supply from its global LNG portfolio, regasification at the Hazira facility, and downstream customer sales.
PGNiG's LNG Imports Rises in 2018
Polish energy firm PGNiG said that the share of gas imports from Russia in total import volume fell last year to less than 67%. The share of LNG imports, however, increased to over 20%.In 2018, PGNiG imported over 0.62 bcm less natural gas from Russia than in 2017 (down 6.4%). Imports from the East amounted to approx. 9.04 bcm, as compared to approx. 9.66 bcm in 2017.LNG imports to Poland through Swinoujscie terminal rose 58% year on year to 2.7bcm of natural gas equivalent amid more deliveries from Qatar."LNG imports (from Qatar…
Russian President Commissions Kaliningrad LNG Terminal
Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal that will serve as a back-up gas supply solution for the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. The facility includes floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) in Baltic Sea enclave.Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said: "The floating storage regasification platform is currently moored at the receiving terminal; that platform will convert LNG into gas to pump into the underground facility and to supply to consumers in Kaliningrad Region."Putin said that the Kaliningrad region is no longer dependent on transit gas supplies.
BP Energy Partners Acquires Cryopeak LNG Solutions
The private equity firm focused on the energy industry BP Energy Partners (BPEP), LLC announced it has purchased a controlling interest in Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corp, a customer-centric liquified natural gas (LNG) solutions company.Cryopeak will become a portfolio company in BPEP's second private equity fund, BP Natural Gas Opportunity Partners II, LP. In addition to the controlling interest acquisition, BPEP will also commit additional capital to Cryopeak to support its continued growth throughout North America.Cryopeak…
LNG to Fuel Central American Plant
Finnish technology group Wärtsilä said it recently started site work for a new 378 megawatt power plant in El Salvador, Central America to be fired by liquefied natural gas (LNG).The technology group said that this facility, ordered by Energía del Pacífico, will be the largest and most efficient power plant in El Salvador, and one of the first in Central America to be fired by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The installation will feed electricity to the national grid. A dedicated floating LNG import terminal will be built at the same location.This new terminal represents an important addition to El Salvador’s energy infrastructure with clean…
8.5% Growth Expected for LNG Bunkering Market by 2026
The global LNG as a bunker fuel market was valued around US$ 550 million in 2017, and is expected to register a CAGR of over 8.5%.The first five-year cumulative revenue (2017-2021) is projected to be USD 3.4 bn which is expected to increase significantly over the latter part of the five-year forecast period, said a research report by Marketresearch.LNG ships is expected to be the major application segment in the global LNG as a bunker fuel market. LNG fueled ships emit zero sulphur oxide emissions along with decline in carbon dioxide gas release by 25%…
India to Build 50 MW LNG Power Project in Andaman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the 50 Mega Watt liquefied natural gas (LNG) based power project in south Andaman. The will take around 18 months to be operational.NTPC Limited’s wholly-owned subsidiary NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) will build the plant which is expected to improve the quality of life of the residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and boost the economic development.The plant shall be operational through Dual Fuel — LNG or HSD to be sourced from Floating Storage Regasification…
Record LNG Capacity to Get Green Light in 2019
A record amount of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production is expected to get the green light in 2019 amid strong global demand, especially from China, analysts said.A final investment decision (FID) could be taken on more than 60 million tonnes per annum of LNG capacity this year, well above the previous record of about 45 million tonnes in 2005 and triple last year's 21 million tonnes, Wood Mackenzie's research director for global gas and LNG, Giles Farrer, said.The new capacity would bulk out the pipeline of gas set to come on stream in coming years…
Indonesia's Oil Output Rises
The Indonesian unit of Chevron Corp produced 209,400 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from the Rokan block in 2018, down from 223,000 bpd a year earlier, Dwi Soetjipto, chairman of upstream oil and gas regulator SKK Migas said.Exxon Mobil produced 209,300 bpd of crude oil from the Cepu block in 2018, compared to 203,000 bpd in 2017, Soetjipto said.BP Berau, a unit of BP Plc, which operates the Tanggu LNG plant produced 1,076 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of natural gas, versus 965 mmscfd in 2017.Pertamina Hulu Mahakam's gas lifting last year was 832 mmscfd, down from 1,286 mmscfd in 2017.ConocoPhillips' Corridor Block production rose to
Polskie LNG Begins LNG Terminal Expansion Program
Polskie LNG, the owner and operator of LNG terminal in Poland published the contract notice that officially commences the tender procedure with the view to select the contractor for the expansion of LNG terminal in Poland, Świnoujście.These components include construction of the third LNG process storage tank, delivery of additional process installations increasing the regasification capacity, and the LNG transhipment installation together with a railway siding.The overall objective of the said projects is not only to increase Poland's energy security…
Novatek, Saibu Gas Ink MoU
Russia's largest independent natural gas producer Novatek said it had agreed with Japan's Saibu Gas to study the possibility for the Russian company to enter the Japanese energy market.Novatek said in a press release that PAO Novatek and Saibu Gas Co Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), whereby the parties agreed to consider potential cooperation to enter the end-customer market and optimize Novatek’s LNG portfolio supplies to the Asia-Pacific region by utilizing Hibiki LNG terminal in Japan.Novatek's First…
Consortium Bags Commitments for Rovuma LNG Project
Area 4 co-venture participants -ExxonMobil, Eni, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, Kogas and Galp - have secured liquefied natural gas (LNG) offtake commitments from affiliated buyer entities of the partnersA press release from ExxonMobil hailed this as a key milestone enabling the participants to rapidly move toward a final investment decision in 2019 on the first phase of the Rovuma LNG projectThose commitments are subject to the conclusion of fully-termed agreements, which will be finalized and initialed in the next weeks…
Challenge Peak Ships 1st Plant Condensate from Ichthys LNG Project
The oil products tanker operated by Singapore-based NYK Bulkship (Asia) Challenge Peak has shipped the first batch of plant condensate produced at the onshore gas liquefaction plant of the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project.According to a press release from the Japanese shipping and logistics company NYK (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha), the condensate was loaded from the gas liquefaction plant in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia, and the vessel departed for an Asian country on December 26.A joint venture among INPEX (the operator)…
Rovuma LNG Moves Toward FID in 2019
Partners in the Rovuma liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique say they are moving “rapidly” toward a final investment decision (FID) for the first phase of the project in 2019 after securing LNG offtake commitments from buyers.The project will produce, liquefy and market natural gas from the Mamba fields located in the Area 4 block in the Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique. Area 4 participants are ExxonMobil, Eni, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, Kogas and Galp.In July 2018…
Tango FLNG En Route to Argentina
Belgium based EXMAR announced Thursday that its floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility has left China for a 45-day voyage to the destination of its liquefaction operations at the Port of Bahia Blanca in Argentina.The barge-based Tango FLNG (previously named Caribbean FLNG) is on the move just one month after a contract was signed for a firm, 10-year deployment.Upon its arrival, the facility will be put in operation for EXMAR’s customer YPF S.A. and is expected to start up LNG production in the second quarter of 2019.
Woodside Enters FEED for Pluto Train 2
Australia's largest independent oil and gas company Woodside said it has awarded a contract to Bechtel (Western Australia) Pty Ltd to undertake front-end engineering design (FEED) for its proposed brownfield expansion of existing Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.The FEED work includes activities required to finalize the costs and technical definition for the proposed second LNG train at the Pluto LNG onshore facility in Western Australia.Woodside said the awarded contract also includes an option to progress to a lump sum engineering, procurement and construction contract for execute phase activities.
Great Ships 2018: BP's British Partner
BP Shipping took delivery of British Partner, the first of a half dozen new 173,400 cu. m. capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be delivered through 2018 and 2019 from the DSME shipyard in South Korea. BP Shipping, which launched a fleet rejuvenation program in 2016 that includes 32 new vessels for delivery over a three-year period, said the six new Partnership class ships will increase its ability to transport LNG in emerging new markets, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and Bangladesh, in addition to established markets, such as India, China, the U.S.
LNG Imports into Northeast Asia at Record High
Shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Northeast Asia have risen to a record in December, mainly driven by China's continued gasification push, and as the region faces colder-than-usual temperatures this week.LNG imports into China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, have climbed to 20.5 million tonnes so far in December, 5 percent higher than the previous monthly record of 19.5 million tonnes back in January, data from Refinitiv Eikon showed.December shipments were nearly 15 percent higher than November, the data showed."When we look at the region…
