US natgas exports to LNG plants are on track to reach a 9-month high
According to data provided by financial firm LSEG, the amount of gas going to seven large U.S. liquefied gas export plants is on track to reach a new nine-month record on Thursday. This was due to feedgas reaching multi-week records at a few plants. Energy market is concerned about feedgas flow to U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas plants, because in recent years exports were the largest source of growth for the gas industry. In 2023, the U.S. will be the largest LNG exporter in the world, surpassing Australia and Qatar. This is due to higher prices worldwide, which are a result of supply disruptions, and sanctions related to Russia's invasion in Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S.
Sempra Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 is ahead of Cameron LNG, according to CFO
Karen Sedgwick, Sempra Infrastructure’s finance chief, said that the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project is ahead of Cameron LNG expansion. Sedgwick informed investors in a conference call that the Port Arthur project is moving faster because of a construction agreement that spans both phases with Bechtel. Port Arthur Phase 2 may receive its non-Free Trade Agreement Export Permit early next year, and the company can make a financial determination by the second quarter in 2025. Since signing a 20-year contract, the company has seen better terms. Sempra…
Sources say that Citizen Energy, a producer of shale oil and gas, will buy Validus in a deal worth more than $2 billion.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Validus Energy, a privately held oil and natural gas producer, has agreed to purchase Citizen Energy, a rival company, for over $2 billion including debt. The U.S. Shale industry has seen a record wave of consolidation. After the COVID, oil prices surged and buyers were eager to secure the best drilling locations. Sources who requested anonymity because the talks are confidential said that Validus won the auction for Tulsa's Citizen Energy. Sources said that Citizen, which is backed by Warburg Pincus private equity, began exploring the possibility of a sale after Validus made an offer to purchase the company.
Kiewit resolves dispute with Venture Global LNG regarding construction disclosures
The president of Kiewit Energy announced that construction contractor Kiewit settled its lawsuit against Venture Global LNG for disclosing information to Shell about the Calcasieu Pass LNG Plant. Venture Global filed an arbitration complaint against Kiewit on August 2, alleging that it had passed confidential documents to Shell during a dispute regarding the Louisiana LNG plant's commercial production status. Kiewit Energy's President Tom Shelby said, "There are no ongoing lawsuits. The matter has been settled," on the sidelines Gastech's energy conference. Venture Global LNG is in contract arbitration with several long-term customers over the failure to deliver cargoes.
The price of gas in Europe has reversed its initial gains and is now lower than the oil prices.
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas reversed gains earlier on Tuesday afternoon. They fell in line with the oil price and offset initial concerns about rising demand due to cooler weather conditions and U.S. liquefied gas supplies. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down 1.75 euros to 35.40 euros or $11.43/mmBtu by 1502 GMT. It had reached a high of 37.90 Euros/MWh earlier in the day. The day-ahead contract on the British market fell 4 pence, to 85.00 p/therm. It had traded as high at 90.75 pence per thermo in the morning.
Prices of EUROPE GAS rise on demand and tight supply
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas extended their previous session's gains Tuesday. This was due to the rising demand for gas from cooler weather, the ongoing Norwegian supply restrictions, and fears that a hurricane could impact the U.S. liquefied gas supply. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub rose by 0.60 euro to 37.75 euros per Megawatt Hour, or 12.19/mmBtu by 0802 GMT. On the British market, the day-ahead contracts gained 1,50 pence each to 90.50 cents per therm. LSEG data revealed that temperatures in Britain were already below average and will continue to be below average in North-West Europe starting Wednesday.
Australia approves $13.5 billion project to export solar energy to Singapore
Australia announced on Wednesday that it has given the green light to a A$20 Billion ($13.5 Billion) solar project. The project will ship energy from the giant solar farm located in the north of the country to Singapore via a 4,300 km undersea cable. Tanya Plibersek, Environment Minister, said SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link Project would help meet the growing demand for renewable energies at home and abroad. SunCable says that a final investment decision will be made in 2027, and electricity will begin to flow in the early 30s. Plibersek stated that the approval is subject to strict conditions in order to protect the environment.
Venture Global LNG Accuses Kiewit of Sharing Confidential Documents with Shell
Venture Global LNG, a U.S.-based liquefied gas company, sued Kiewit Construction on Friday for allegedly passing confidential documents to Shell Plc.Calcasieu Pass, a plant owned by Venture Global LNG in Louisiana has long been the subject of a dispute involving BP Plc and Shell over the access to LNG produced at the facility.Venture Global filed with the New York State Supreme Court stating that "Kiewit had been entrusted this information in order to facilitate its construction of a natural-gas liquefaction terminal and export facility in Cameron Parish in Louisiana, developed by Venture Global."Venture Global stated that the confidential information includes proprietary meth
Eni, Vaar Agree to Buy Neptune Energy in $4.9 Billion Deal
Italy's Eni ENI.MI and its Norwegian unit Vaar have agreed to buy private-equity backed Neptune Energy in a deal valuing the assets of the gas and oil producer at $4.9 billion including debt, the two groups said on Friday.The acquisition, which is expected to be completed at the start of next year, is one of the biggest oil and gas deals in Europe in years.The deal fits the Italian group's plan to increase the share of gas in its total hydrocarbon production and is expected to boost its earnings immediately, Eni said in a statement.Synergies of around $500 million are also expected as a result of the transaction."The geographic and operational overlap is striking…
Pakistan and China Sign $4.8 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Deal
Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal on Tuesday to build a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, hailing the investment by a country that Pakistan views as its most dependable ally.Work on the Chashma 5 project would begin immediately, Sharif said on state-run news channel PTV following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission."Investment from China in this project to the tune of $4.8 billion sends a message loud and clear that Pakistan is a place where Chinese companies and investors continue to show their trust and faith…
Ineos Inks 20-year LNG Deal with Sempra Infrastructure
Britain's INEOS Energy, part of INEOS Group, has signed an agreement with U.S. firm Sempra Infrastructure for the supply of 1.4 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from North America for 20 years, it said on Wednesday.It marks INEOS's entry into the global LNG market, with the volumes intended both for trading and supplying of INEOS' own industrial needs in Europe.The LNG will be delivered free-on-board, from either the proposed Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project or the Cameron LNG Phase 2 projects in the U.S.
Offshore Wind: Orsted Earnings, Shares Dented by Lower Wind Speeds, Cable Problems
Lower wind speeds and cable problems hit first-quarter earnings at Denmark's Orsted , sending shares in the world's biggest offshore wind farm developer lower on Thursday.Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came in at 4.9 billion Danish crowns ($799 million), missing analysts' consensus forecast of 5.2 billion crowns.However, Chief Executive Mads Nipper said the company's operational performance "was good during Q1 2021 and slightly exceeded our expectations".Nipper took the helm in January. His predecessor, Henrik Poulsen…
US Energy Exports Severely Disrupted by Hurricane Laura
Oil and gas exports from the United States have been severely disrupted by Hurricane Laura, with nearly a million barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports likely reduced this week by closures of U.S. Gulf Coast terminals and disruptions at ports.The hurricane also temporarily suspended operations at several liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in the world’s third largest exporter of the super-cooled gas, with shipments on track to fall to their lowest in 18 months.Laura made landfall early Thursday near the Texas-Louisiana border, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the region…
US LNG Loading Delays Expected as Hurricane Slams Gulf Coast
Loadings of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the United States likely will be delayed as a powerful storm strikes the heart of the U.S. oil and gas industry on the Gulf Coast, forcing several LNG plants to shut.Hurricane Laura made landfall early on Thursday in southwestern Louisiana as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the state, with forecasters warning it could push a wall of water 40 miles (64 km) inland from the sea. Landfall came near Louisiana's border with Texas.Trading and shipping sources said they expect the resulting floods to delay LNG loadings from some ports and potentially boost Asian LNG spot prices.
US LNG Exports at 20-month Low
Natural gas flows to U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants plunged this month after falling to a 20-month low in June as coronavirus lockdowns cut global demand for the fuel.Before the pandemic slashed energy demand, U.S. producers counted on LNG exports to keep growing fast as an outlet for their record gas output. But after soaring 68% in 2019 and 53% in 2018, U.S. LNG exports were only expected to rise about 7% in 2020.Gas pipeline flows to U.S. LNG export plants dropped to an average of 3.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) so far in July from a 20-month low of 4.1 bcfd in June and a record high of 8.7 bcfd in February, according to Refinitiv data.With U.S.
Virus Lockdowns Pummel Global Gas Demand, Force LNG Output Cuts
Lockdowns to slow the coronavirus pandemic are pummelling gas demand in the world's biggest buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), pushing Asia's spot prices to record lows and forcing some suppliers to start cutting output. Economies worldwide have ground to a halt as virus containment measures have taken their toll, slashing gas demand for power generation, heating, cooking, vehicles and chemical manufacture. The world's biggest LNG markets - Japan, China, South Korea, and India - are all seeing a drop in demand. Asia's spot LNG prices dropped to $1.85 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) last week, the lowest ever, as cargoes have flooded the market.
Tankers Carrying U.S. LNG Heading to China After Tax Waivers Granted
Tankers carrying U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) are on their way to China after Beijing started granting tax waivers to some importers, according to shipping and trade sources.This is the first time since March 2019 that shipments have resumed after a long-standing trade war that saw China raise tariffs on LNG imports from the United States to 25% last year.Four LNG tankers are currently en route to China after loading cargoes last month in the United States, ship-tracking data from Refinitiv and data intelligence firm Kpler showed.The tankers are expected to arrive in China between late April and early May, according to the data.
Sempra to Decide on U.S., Mexican LNG Export Plants in 2020
California energy company Sempra Energy said on Thursday it expects to make final investment decisions (FID) this year to build two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants - one in the United States and one in Mexico:Sempra said it plans to make FIDs on the first phase of the Costa Azul export plant in Baja California in Mexico in the first quarter and the Port Arthur export plant in Texas in the third quarter.At Costa Azul, Sempra has said Energia Costa Azul LNG has non-binding 20-year agreements with units of Total SA of France and Mitsui…
Chrysaor Backs Mocean Subsea
Mocean Energy, global wave energy player, has teamed up with energy major Chrysaor, subsea energy storage experts EC-OG and AUV specialist Modus in a project to look at using renewables for subsea power.The project, funded by the partners together with the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), will look to use Mocean Energy’s Blue Star wave energy converter and EC-OG’s HALO subsea energy storage system to power subsea tiebacks or residential AUVs.If industry feedback is positive, the partners will press ahead with a technology field trial using a Mocean Energy prototype in the seas off Orkney later this year.Once proven…
Australia Becomes World's Largest LNG Exporter
Australia has become the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in the world. The record figure knocked Qatar out of the top spot."Australia is set to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter this year, overtaking Qatar, with its supplies expected to reach 81 million tonnes (MT) as Ichthys LNG and Prelude FLNG increase production," Rystad Energy said.Meanwhile, Qatari exports will remain at current levels, around 77 MT. The US will increase LNG exports from about 36 MT in 2019 to 56 MT in 2020, dominating new LNG supply contributions.
