Nikkei reports that Japan's PM has rejected the US request to ban Russian imports of energy
The Nikkei daily, citing Japanese officials, reported that the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had told U.S. president Donald Trump during their meeting on Wednesday in Tokyo that it would be difficult to ban Russian LNG imports. Sakhalin-2 is a project in which Japanese companies Mitsui & Mitsubishi have stakes. Before Trump's Asia visit this week, the U.S. encouraged buyers of Russian oil, including Japan to stop imports and put sanctions on Moscow’s two largest oil exporters…
Honda Motors acquires a stake in India's OMC Power for the development of clean energy batteries
Honda Motor, a Japanese automaker, has acquired an equity stake in India's OMC Power. The company is backed by Mitsui & Co. and Chubu Electric Power. Honda did not disclose the exact size of its equity stake in India's clean energy sector. This will be Honda's debut foray. Distributed energy systems can power smaller sites or areas at a lower scale. They can be connected to the grid or disconnected from it. OMC Power has more than 500 renewable power plants in North and Central India.
TotalEnergies says the Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project cost has risen to $4.5 billion
TotalEnergies told Mozambique in a letter that costs for its LNG project had risen $4.5 billion over the past four years. It also wants to extend its production agreement by 10 years. The French oil giant confirmed Saturday that it, along with its partners, had decided to lift the force majeure for this project. It was stopped in 2021 due to an islamist militant attack. Before construction can resume, Mozambique’s Council of Ministers must approve an updated budget.
TotalEnergies, in partnership with partners, lifts force majeure on the $20 billion Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project
TotalEnergies, a French oil company, announced that it had lifted the force majeure for its $20 billion Mozambique Gas project with project partners. This comes four years after a militant Islamist attack halted construction. TotalEnergies' press officer confirmed that a letter was sent on Friday to the Mozambican Government. However, the company stated that the project will only be relaunched after the government has approved a revised budget and schedule.
Australia's renewables drive powers a 'golden rush' of big battery bets
Investors in Australia’s battery energy storage industry are taking advantage of the chaos on the spot markets. They have been emboldened by Australia’s efforts to expand its renewable energy infrastructure. Investors in the sector are now funding projects that do not have a fully-guaranteed long-term revenue. The first two battery projects exposed to the market this year were funded. As the demand for renewable energy grows, analysts say that more flexible financing will make money available in this sector.
Oil India expects to restart the Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project within a year
India's state-run Oil India Ltd expects a $20-billion, TotalEnergies-operated Mozambique liquefied natural gas project in which it owns a stake to restart development by the end of this year, its chairman Ranjit Rath said on Thursday. TotalEnergies suspended construction and declared force majeure on the project in 2021 after a deadly insurgent attack at the site. Rath, at the annual shareholders meeting, said that with improved security conditions the project should restart in the second quarter of 2025.
Anglo-Teck's merger with Glencore will unlock Chile mine synergies if Glencore approves
Analysts say that the proposed Anglo American and Teck merger could be hampered by Glencore, a Swiss miner-trader. Glencore and London-listed Anglo are equal partners at Collahuasi. This is one of the largest copper deposits in the world, located about 10 kilometers from Teck's flagship Quebrada Blanca Mine. Investors view the merging of operations at both sites as the key to the AngloTeck merger. This is one…
Gunvor expands its precious metals trading into physical trading
Gunvor, a global commodity trading company, has announced that it is expanding its precious-metals business beyond trading derivatives to include physical metal. The company also revealed that it has hired experts in London and Singapore's trading hubs. Gunvor's growth in this sector coincides with an upswing that has seen the gold price double since late 2022, as investors sought refuge from geopolitical and economic turmoil. On Tuesday, spot gold reached a new record of $3674 per troy-ounce.
Australia approves the North West Shelf Gas Plant to operate until 2070
Australia approved Woodside's application to operate Australia's second largest and oldest liquefied gas plant, the LibNaGa Plant, until 2070. The new emission rules were imposed to reduce its environmental impact. North West Shelf, a plant in Western Australia, is expected to emit up to 4.3 million metric tons carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Critics say this will endanger nearby ancient rock art as well as set back climate change efforts.
Japanese trading companies are able to offset the impact of commodity price drops on their food businesses
The disclosures of Mitsui Marubeni Itochu and Mitsui showed that the higher profits in their diversified food business offset lower performances in their commodities unit. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway took a minority stake in these companies because of the diversification away from traditional commodity trading. Mitsui's profits for the three-month period ended June 30 were down 31% compared to a year ago, partly due to lower iron ore prices.
TotalEnergies plan to restart LNG project is a positive for the energy minister of Mozambique
Mozambique’s energy minister stated on Friday that the government had not received a formal request from TotalEnergies for the lifting of a declaration of force majeure on the $20 billion liquefied gas (LNG), project in the country. However, he was optimistic about TotalEnergies' plan to restart its development during the summer. After meeting with Japan's Industry Minister, Muto Yoji, Estevao Palae, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy…
Japan returns to long term LNG deals on AI boom and national energy plan
The liquefied gas industry in Japan is once again in the spotlight, as artificial intelligence booms and rising costs of cleaner energy drive the appetite for long-term LNG contracts. Japan, which is the second largest LNG importer in the world, has secured long-term deals with Qatar, and other buyers are also securing such agreements. Japan's LNG exports have been falling for over a decade, as the nuclear power…
Australia approves Woodside's North West Shelf LNG Plant to operate until 2070
Australia approved Woodside Energy’s request on Wednesday to extend the lifespan of its North West Shelf Gas Plant until 2070. This follows a six-year process that was plagued by delays, complaints and criticism from environmental groups. North West Shelf, located in Western Australia on the Burrup Peninsula, is Australia's largest and oldest liquefied gas plant. It also serves as a major supplier of LNG to Asian markets.
Mitsui OSK To Asses EU Sanction Impact On Its LNG Vessels
Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said it is carefully assessing the impact on three of its liquefied natural gas vessels of new sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia."We will continue to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities, including the European Union and the Japanese government, and remain committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations…
WGC-TotalEnergies CEO wants to lift the force majeure on Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project
TotalEnergies, said Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne on Tuesday, will ask Mozambique for its approval to lift the force majeure on their $20 billion liquefied gas (LNG), project in Mozambique and resume construction before mid-summer. The project has been covered by force majeure due to insurgent attacks since 2021. It includes the development of the Golfinho, Atum and Offshore Area 1 natural gas fields, as well as the construction of a two train liquefaction facility.
Mitsui Chemicals studies use of ethanol in the production of petrochemicals
Mitsui Chemicals, whose CEO spoke on Friday, is looking into the use of ethanol in its naphtha crinklers to increase their competitiveness in the face of an oversupply within the global petrochemical industry. Hashimoto Osamu is the president and CEO of Mitsui Chemicals. He spoke on the sidelines at the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference. Mitsui, one of several producers in the area, is looking to switch its feedstock to ethane from naphtha due to the excess capacity of petrochemicals primarily from China.
World's First Commercial-Scale E-Methanol Plant Opens in Denmark
The world's first commercial-scale e-methanol plant began operations in Denmark on Tuesday, with shipping giant Maersk set to buy part of the production as a low-emission fuel for its fleet of container ships.The shipping sector is under pressure to find new sources of fuel after a majority of countries gave their backing to measures to help meet the International Maritime Organization's targets towards eliminating carbon emissions by 2050.So far zero-emission shipping fuels…
Japanese trading houses cautious on profit forecasts despite US tariffs
Japanese trading houses Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo Corp. and Sojitz issued cautious profit predictions for the current fiscal period as U.S. Tariffs threaten global supply chain and increase economic insecurity. Ryosei Acazawa, Japan's chief trade negotiator, is currently in the United States to try and negotiate a tariff agreement with President Donald Trump. The Bank of Japan cut its forecast of economic growth…
CF Industries and JERA Mitsui form a joint venture to build a $4 billion ammonia plant with low carbon emissions
CF Industries announced on Tuesday that it had formed a joint-venture with Japan's biggest power generator, JERA and trading house Mitsui & Co. to build one the world's most massive low-carbon ammonia plants for around $4 billion. Why is it important? The largest climate change legislation passed in the U.S. in history by former President Joe Biden in 2022 was meant to spark a boom in American energy development, including low-carbon emissions products.
CF Industries and a JV form a $4 billion low-carbon Ammonia facility
CF Industries announced on Tuesday that it has formed a joint-venture with Japan's biggest energy company, JERA, as well as investment firm Mitsui, to build a low-carbon ammonia plant for around $4 billion. Why is it important? The largest climate change legislation passed in the U.S. in 2022 was aimed at launching a boom of clean energy products in America, including those with low carbon emissions. Ammonia manufacturer…