Wall Street Journal, Dec 19,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Woodside and Chevron announced they would streamline their oil and gas operations throughout Western Australia by announcing a stake exchange deal. This move will result in the Australian energy company exiting the $34 Billion Wheatstone LNG Project. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy chain CVS for filling illegal prescriptions of opioids and billing federal insurance programs.
Sweden's North frets about financial risks as the green boom stumbles
Sweden's local governments, frightened by Northvolt's struggle for survival and its potential impact on taxpayers, have asked the central government to increase financial support for Sweden's transition towards green industry. Last month, Europe's leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States with $5.8 billion of debts. The EU's energy transformation is failing, and shockwaves were sent through Skelleftea, northern Sweden, where its Northvolt Ett plant is located.
US LNG Rises 2% on LNG Plant Volume Data
U.S. natural gas futures climbed about 2% on Wednesday on rising flows to the nation's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants and expectations utilities pulled more gas out of storage than usual to heat homes and businesses during extreme cold for a second week in a row last week.Analysts, however, projected rising output and forecasts for mild weather and low heating demand through the start of the new year should keep storage withdrawals smaller than normal in coming weeks. There was currently about 4% more gas in storage than usual for this time of year.
BHP and Rio Tinto will build a low-carbon iron plant in Western Australia
BHP Australia and Rio Tinto Australia will develop together a pilot plant for producing low-carbon iron using Pilbara ore as part of their efforts to accelerate decarbonisation within the steel industry. The companies announced this in a statement released on Tuesday. The facility will produce molten steel using direct reduced iron technology (DRI), and renewable energy in an electric melting furnace (ESF). It could have a production of up to 40,000 tons per year. BlueScope Steel will develop the facility in Western Australia's Kwinana Industrial Hub.
Chevron Australia signss long-term gas supply agreement with Alcoa
The Australian unit of U.S. oil company Chevron said Tuesday that it will supply 130 petajoules (petajoules) of gas over a period of 10 years, starting in 2028, to the aluminium manufacturer Alcoa. Chevron Australia announced in a press release that the gas would be supplied by its 530 terajoules per day Gorgon and Wheatstone plants, and North West Shelf Venture, located in Western Australia. Alcoa, on the other hand, said that it would use this gas to power its refineries for alumina in Western Australia.
Australia sues Exxon for falsely representing its local petrol brand
The Australian Competition Watchdog announced on Tuesday that it had taken Exxon Mobil’s local brand affiliate, which sells fuel at six of their branded petrol stations throughout Queensland, to court. Exxon Mobil, an American oil and gas company, owns and operates the Mobil brand. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges that Mobil misrepresented that "Mobil Synergy", its "Mobil Synergy", contained certain additives when it didn't. ACCC said that the firm also incorrectly claimed the fuel sold in these petrol stations was of a higher quality or composition than fuel sold at other locations…
Karoon Energy, Australia's energy company, reduces its outlook for Brazil project
Karoon Energy, an Australian oil and gas company, said that it has reduced the production forecast for its Bauna Project in Brazil because of operational disruptions. After the disruptions, the company reduced its production forecast for 2024 for the Bauna Project to 7.2-7.4 millions barrels of crude oil. The previous outlook was 7.5-7.7million barrels. Karoon reported that two of the 16 chains used to lift the floating production storage offloading system (FPSO) failed. This caused the Bauna Project to be shut down in December 11.
Venture Global Louisiana Plaquemines LNG Plant "on track"
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Venture Global LNG's Plaquemines export plant under construction in Louisiana was on track to pull in enough natural gas on Friday to produce first LNG, according to data from financial group LSEG and energy analysts.Plaquemines was on track to pull in about 0.16 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of pipeline gas on Friday, up from 0.10 bcfd on Thursday and an average of 0.04 bcfd during the prior seven days, according to LSEG data.Analysts have said that once feedgas to the plant hits around 0.15 bcfd or higher…
BHP and Rio de Janeiro are plagued by sexual harassment lawsuits: Russell
The sexual harassment suits filed against BHP Group in Australia and Rio Tinto, global mining giants, are not just another public relations disaster or possible financial hit. These allegations threaten the future of two of world's largest miners who want to be at the forefront of the energy transformation by producing the metals required to decarbonise world economies. Deft public relations, a willingness and determination to eliminate future bad behaviour as well as a willingness to accept genuine claims can help to limit the short-term impact of class action lawsuits.
Woodside's North West Shelf Project Extension approved by Western Australia
Woodside Energy, Australia's largest oil and gas producer in terms of market value, announced on Thursday that the state of Western Australia had granted Woodside Energy approval to extend the project life of its North West Shelf LNG (liquefied Natural Gas) until 2070. You can also find out more about the decision-making process by clicking here. Woodside announced Thursday that the approval marks the end to a six-year waiting period and restarts the federal approval process for environmental protection, which was halted because of pending appeals.
Australia shares are dragged down by mining and bank stocks; local job data is in focus
Investors remained cautious as they awaited the local jobs data, which is due on Thursday. This will be a crucial metric for gauging the central bank’s timeline to cut rates. S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.3% at 8372.1 points as of 1124 GMT. The benchmark index fell by 0.4% on Monday. Investors in Australia will assess local jobs data scheduled to be released on Thursday to gain additional insight into the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA's) monetary policies timeline. The central bank maintained the cash rate at 4.35%, but lowered its hawkish position on Tuesday. Markets now expect the next rate reduction in early 2025.
Macquarie-backed Offshore Sind Developer Corio Cuts Jobs
Corio Generation, the UK-based offshore wind developer backed by Australia's Macquarie Group, plans to cut a small number of jobs roles, a company spokesperson told Reuters.Ballooning costs due to technical and supply chain problems and high interest rates has had many offshore wind sector companies review investments or undertake restructurings."As with many companies in the offshore wind sector, we are making some organizational changes to ensure Corio remains efficient and focused on the delivery of our projects in our key markets," the spokesperson added.The job cuts were first reported by Bloomberg News, cit
Woodside, a company from Australia, signs a deal with Bechtel for the development of Louisiana LNG.
Woodside Energy Group, an Australian company, announced on Thursday that it had signed a contract for engineering procurement and construction with Bechtel in the United States to develop liquefied gas project in Louisiana. The EPC contract covers the development of the foundations for the three production trains in the project, which have a combined capacity of 16,5 million tons per year. The oil and natural gas producer stated that they aim to make a final investment decision by the first quarter 2025.
HMC Capital, based in Australia, will buy Neoen’s Victoria portfolio at a price of $612 million
HMC Capital, an Australian asset manager, announced on Thursday that it would buy the renewable energy generation portfolio and storage in Victoria from France-based Neoen for A$950,000,000 ($611.61million). HMC stated that the portfolio will be a great addition to their energy transition platform. It includes four operational assets, each with a capacity of 652 megawatts (MW), and six development assets, with a combined capacity of over 2,800 MW. The deal will increase HMC's Assets Under Management (AUM) from A$17 billion to A$19.3 billion. It is expected that the deal will be positive for earnings after FY26.
Canada opens Pacific trade pact to new members following Taiwan's complaint
Canada's government confirmed that a major Trans-Pacific Trade Pact is still open for other aspirant member countries, including Taiwan, to join. This was after Taipei complained about the lack of a working group that would consider Taiwan's entry. Taiwan's Government expressed its disappointment Friday at the fact that members of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership had not established a working group in order to discuss membership during a meeting of ministers held in Vancouver. The government said there should be no political considerations.
QatarEnergy signs LNG long-term deal with Shell to deliver LNG to China
State-owned QatarEnergy signed a long-term agreement with Shell, the oil and gas giant, to supply LNG to China. QatarEnergy said in a Monday statement that the deal will see the LNG supply increase to three million tons per year. The agreement is expected to begin in January 2025. QatarEnergy said that the agreement highlighted the continued growth in China's market for LNG, but did say how long it would last. Four sources in the industry and trading have confirmed that Shell will use these volumes to supply its China portfolio. China is the largest LNG importer in the world.
Woodside CEO: Louisiana LNG project to be partnered with several companies by March
Woodside Energy's CEO said that the company expects to have several partners in its Louisiana liquefied gas project by the time it gives financial approval to the U.S. Project, which is expected to be the first quarter of 2020. Woodside, a company listed in Australia, is looking to sell 50% of its Louisiana LNG project. It now owns the entire project after acquiring Tellurian Inc. for $1.2 billion in October. The U.S. Gulf Coast plant could convert U.S. Shale Gas into up to 27,7 million tons of LNG per year. Woodside has held talks with U.S.
Woodside: LNG Market to Grow by 50% in Next Decade
Australia's Woodside Energy WDS.AX expects the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) to grow by 50% in the coming decade, its CEO said on Tuesday."Over the last decade the LNG market grew by 50%. We anticipate it will grow by another 50% in the coming decade," Meg O’Neill told the Energy Intelligence Forum in London.O'Neill said the company had received interest from a lot of onshore gas players and other companies to partner with its Driftwood LNG project and talks were ongoing."We've got the balance sheet to fund our 50%.
Woodside Energy closes Pluto LNG due to an 'unplanned' event
A spokesperson for Woodside Energy in Australia said that the shutdown of Pluto LNG was safe and effective on Monday, due to an unexpected event. The cause is still under investigation. The spokesperson stated that operations at the Karratha Gas Plant are normal. Pluto LNG is connected by a pipeline. Woodside, Australia’s largest independent oil and natural gas company, lowered its estimate for full-year production to a range between 189 million and 195 millions barrels of oil equal (boe), down from its previous forecast of 185 to 195 boe.
Mooreast Appoints Ellingsen as CEO
Mooreast Holdings Ltd. announced today it will appoint Mr Eirik Ellingsen, a Norwegian with deep experience in the offshore and marine sector, as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) amid growing adoption of floating wind energy projects worldwide.Mr Ellingsen will assume the role of CEO at Mooreast on 1 January 2025. He will be taking over from Mr Sim Koon Lam, the founder, who will continue to serve as Executive Director and Deputy Chairman of the Group.Mooreast is a total mooring solutions specialist and an ultra-high power anchor manufacturer primarily serving the offshore renewable energy…
