Commonwealth LNG receives US approval to export non-FTA products for 20 years
Commonwealth LNG, a U.S. company, has been granted a 20-year export license from the Department of Energy for liquefied?gas to be exported from its proposed Louisiana plant to countries that do not have free trade agreements. The company also received approval for 25 years of exports to FTA countries. The authorizations become effective either when the facility begins exporting commercially, or after seven years from the date of the grant. Commonwealth is attempting to build the first integrated LNG facility in the country…
Glencore's share price rises as Rio Tinto and Glencore merge to create the world's largest miner
Glencore shares increased by almost 10% after news that it was in talks with Rio Tinto regarding a possible takeover. This would create the largest mining group in the world, valued at nearly $207 billion. While Glencore?gained?, Rio Tinto?shares fell as much as 3%. This reflects investor scepticism and concern that the deal will be overpaid. Both companies have previously discussed merging their operations. In 2014, Rio Tinto refused a Glencore merger offer, claiming it was not in its shareholders' best interest. The merger talks that ended in 2024 did not result in a deal.
Glencore's share price rises as Rio Tinto and Glencore merge to create the world's largest miner
Glencore shares jumped almost?9% Friday after news that it was in talks with Rio Tinto over a 'potential takeover, which would create the largest mining group in the world valued at nearly $207 billion. While Glencore shares rose, Rio Tinto's fell as much as 3 percent, reflecting investor concerns about a potential deal. Both companies have previously discussed merging their operations. In 2014, Rio Tinto refused a Glencore merger offer, claiming it was not in its shareholders' best interest. The merger talks that took place in 2024 ended similarly.
Mega-deals in mining that created global giants
The companies have confirmed that they are in the early stages of talks with each other to purchase Glencore. This could result in the creation of the world's biggest mining company, valued at nearly $207 billion. This move is a result of global'miners racing to scale up metals such as copper, which are seen as?critical for the energy transition. It has fueled a surge in expansions and takeovers. According to LSEG, Glencore's enterprise value is $99 billion. This would make it the largest deal ever in this sector. Here's a list of major mining deals.
The LNG tanker Kunpeng loads cargo at a Russian plant in violation of sanctions
Ship-tracking data showed that a liquefied gas tanker loaded a cargo at Russia's Portovaya?LNG plant, which is under Western sanctions due to Moscow's conflict in Ukraine. According to data provided by analytics firm Kpler, the Kunpeng arrived in Portovaya's LNG terminal on December 18, was unloaded on that day and left with a cargo of natural gas on December 21. LSEG data shows that the tanker arrived and left the terminal at the same dates. It is the first time that a vessel, Kunpeng, not subject to sanctions, has picked up LNG from a designated LNG project.
Australia requires LNG exporters to retain a minimum for the home market
Australia's new scheme will require exporters of liquefied?gas to keep up to 25% of their output for domestic use. The plan was announced on Monday in an effort to curb price spikes and fill a supply gap that has been predicted. The government of Anthony Albanese, a centre-left Prime Minister, said that it would work closely with exporters to create a system which limits the amount of domestic gas. A minimum allocation at local level is between 15 and 25 percent. The government announced the number of a policy that it had flagged for 2025…
Australian regulator expects a balanced gas market on the east coast in Q2; South will rely on Queensland
Australia's east-coast gas market will be in balance by the second quarter of 2026. Southern states are likely to rely heavily on?gas stored in Queensland and surpluses from Queensland to meet demand, according to the competition regulator. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) latest gas inquiry report, the east coast market will have a balance between supply and demand of 15 petajoules (PJ) and an 8 PJ deficit in the second quarter 2026. The'southern states' are also expected to require an extra 26 PJ over the same period.
Lachlan Harris, an insider at Santos Australia, is named finance director
Santos announced on Friday that it had appointed Lachlan Harri as its new 'CFO'. The Australian gas producer is currently navigating a period of transition tied to the Barossa, and Pikka project. Sherry Duhe, the former CFO who left the position in October after just a year, was replaced by the new CFO. Analysts pointed out at the time that Duhe's departure left Santos without a clear succession, since she was widely seen as a potential successor to CEO Kevin Gallagher if he chose to step down. Lachlan Harris, since October's appointment as acting CFO, is responsible for the financial management of the company.
Woodside's new CEO must navigate LNG projects with high costs through glut risk
Woodside Energy is facing a leadership shake up after Meg O'Neill's unexpected departure for the top position at?BP. This comes at a time when the Australian company is trying to deliver on key projects in a?braced?for a glut of supply. Analysts say that the oil and gas company will continue to pursue its global growth strategy. This requires continued investment in new assets as well as continuity in mature fields. After project delays and rising costs, it will be important to advance the Louisiana LNG project. The Louisiana LNG project, valued at $17.5 billion, will be Woodside's key project.
Meg O'Neill, BP's new CEO, will be the first woman ever to lead an oil company.
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the London-based 'oil major'. She made an immediate impression when she took over at Australia's Woodside Energy and secured a deal which doubled the company's production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP petroleum assets, in a merger of then-$28billions, in '2021' boosted the Perth-based firm with an international presence during a period of industry consolidation. It made it a global top-10 energy independent company and a powerhouse of gas.
Woodside's new CEO must navigate LNG projects with high costs through glut risk
Woodside Energy is facing a leadership shake up after BP's?chief executive Meg O'Neill's unexpected departure for the top position at BP. This comes as the Australian 'firm' is trying to deliver key projects on a market that's braced for an oversupply. Analysts say that the oil and gas "producer" is expected to continue with its global strategy of growth, which requires sustained investment in both new assets and continuity within mature fields. After project delays and rising costs, it will be important to advance the Louisiana LNG project.
The new BP CEO has a long-lasting legacy at Australia's Woodside
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the London-based oil giant. She made an immediate impression when she took over at Australia's 'Woodside Energy', securing a deal which doubled the production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP’s petroleum assets by 2021 in a merger of then-$28 billion?bulked-up the Perth-based firm with an international presence during a time of industry consolidation. It made it a top-10 global energy independent company and a powerhouse of gas. Woodside shares have, however, underperformed their larger rivals over the past five years.
The new BP CEO has a long-lasting legacy at Australia's Woodside
Energy industry veteran Meg O'Neill was tapped by BP as the leader of a shake-up within the venerable London based major. She made an immediate impact when she took over at Australia's Woodside Energy and secured a deal which doubled the production portfolio. Woodside's acquisition of BHP petroleum assets by 2021 in a merger of then-$28 billion boosted the Perth-based firm with an international presence?during an industry consolidation period, making it one of the top-10 independent global energy producers and a gas giant.
Tokyo Gas CEO: More than half of investments in overseas markets will be directed to the US within 3 years.
Tokyo Gas, Japan’s largest city gas provider, will direct more than half the 350 billion yen ($2.3billion) it has set aside for overseas investments in the next three years to the U.S., according to CEO Shinichi Sasayama. Tokyo Gas announced a plan in?October to invest 1.3 trillion yen by March 2029. This included 350 billion yen to fund overseas projects, such as U.S. Shale Gas Development. Sasayama said in an interview that "North America was our top priority" in terms of our overseas strategy. He cited a combination of a growing U.S.
Australia announces rescue bid for Rio Tinto Tomago Aluminium Smelter
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, announced on Friday that a "rescue" effort would be launched to keep Australia's biggest aluminium smelter open, the struggling Tomago plant majority owned by Rio Tinto after its current energy contract expires 2028. The announcement comes after the company had warned in October of a possible closure for Tomago Aluminium. It employs more than 1,000 employees and 200 contractors. Albanese stated that aluminium was becoming a "vital product", making it vital to keep Tomago operating.
Sembcorp, the Singaporean energy giant, has taken over Alinta Energy for $4.3 billion.
Sembcorp Industries announced on Thursday that its unit would?acquire?Alinta Energy at a cost of A$6.5 billion (4.32 billion dollars), making it one of the biggest overseas expansions in the history for the Singaporean firm. Alinta Energy was acquired by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. The energy company now controls one of Australia’s largest integrated gas and power retailers with 1.1 million customers, and 3.4 gigawatts in energy generation capacity, including gas, coal, and solar. Chow Tai Fook is the investment arm for Hong Kong billionaire Henry Cheng.
Australia is preparing to review its gas market, which could affect LNG exports
Australia will soon issue a review of the gas market that could limit exports from its east coast. Three operators, led by Shell and Santos, send cargoes to Asia. They said that the review, which they expect Canberra to release this week, may 'include a plan for LNG exporters to prioritize local supply in the populous east, the main source of domestic demand. Tony Wood, energy analyst at Melbourne's Grattan Institute, said that the government is trying to solve a difficult problem. They want the domestic and international markets to be able access gas at a reasonable price.
Oil Prices Fall as Iraqi Production is Restored, Ukraine Talks Continue
Oil prices slipped more than $1 on Monday after Iraq restored production at one of its oilfields which accounts for 0.5% of world oil supply, while investors weighed ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine.Brent crude futures were down $1.07, or 1.68%, at $62.68 a barrel by 11:05 p.m. EDT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $59.07, down $1.01, or 1.68%.Iraq restored production at Lukoil's West Qurna 2 oilfield, one of the world's largest, after a leak on an export pipeline slashed its output…
Australia's Waitsia Project begins sending gas to LNG export
Beach Energy, an Australian company, announced on Monday that the Waitsia onshore project located north of Perth has begun sending natural gas to Woodside Energy's liquidified natural gas export facility. Mitsui, a Japanese company, operates the Waitsia Project and shares it with Beach. Mitsui and Beach have signed a contract with the North West Shelf partners Woodside, BP Shell and Japan LNG for the supply of the facility in 2020. Japan LNG, a partnership between Mitsui & Mitsubishi, holds a sixth of the facility.
Chevron's Gorgon project receives $2 billion investment approval
The Australian unit, owned by the U.S. oil company Chevron, announced on Friday that partners in the Gorgon Joint Venture had sanctioned the A$3 Billion ($1,98 Billion) Gorgon Stage 3 Development off the northwest coast of Western Australia. The project will serve as a backfill to the LNG export concern, and will connect the offshore Geryon & Eurytion gas fields with Gorgon's infrastructure on Barrow Island. Chevron plans to drill up to 40 wells in seven fields, with a field life of 2070. Chevron submitted its project proposal to the offshore environmental regulator in August 2024.