Gas giants claim that Australia's opposition plan to reserve supplies may worsen the shortage
Gas giants around the world said that a proposal made by Australia's coalition of opposition to force producers to divert more gas from exports into the domestic market in an attempt to win votes would discourage investment and not solve the looming gas shortages. The conservative Liberal-National Coalition has pledged to lower power bills by implementing a gas reservations scheme. The center-left Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has introduced a cap on wholesale gas prices for 2022 and implemented other regulatory measures and policies to reduce emissions and meet domestic energy requirements.
Rubio: An attack on Exxon or Guyana would be a 'bad day for Venezuela'
Marco Rubio, U.S. secretary of state during a Thursday visit to Guyana’s capital, said that it would be "a bad day" if Venezuela attacked its neighbor Guyana and the U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil. Guyana and Venezuela have been locked in a longstanding dispute over which country holds the rights to the area of Esequibo, spanning 160,000 square kilometers (62,000 square miles), which is currently the subject of a case before the International Court of Justice. Washington has offered military assistance to Venezuela, a tiny South American nation, amid the territorial dispute as well as increasing U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela.
US considers cutting funding to four of seven hydrogen hubs
According to a source familiar with the issue, the U.S. Department of Energy has considered cutting funding to four of seven hubs for hydrogen that were chosen under a $7-billion federal program. The hubs are part of the effort by former President Joe Biden to decarbonize U.S. economics. They aim to boost the production of clean hydrogen and the infrastructure required to deliver it to industrial users such as steelmakers and Cement plants. Since Trump's inauguration in January, the federal government has provided funding for clean energy projects. As part of the "energy dominance agenda," his administration prioritizes fossil fuel production.
EUROPE GAS - Prices fall on mild temperatures and energy attack pause
The Dutch and British gas price fell on Wednesday morning, as the mild temperatures reduced gas demand. Meanwhile, the U.S. made deals with Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks against energy targets and at sea. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract fell by 0.15 euros to 40.97 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), or $12.96/mmBtu at 0917 GMT. The Dutch May contract is down 0.75 euros at 40.95 Euro/MWh. On ICE, the British day-ahead contract fell by 0.80 pence to 99p/therm. Ulrich Weber, LSEG analyst, said that the major factor for a bearish trend is an improvement in weather forecasts especially for the next week.
Prices of EUROPE Gas are down due to milder weather.
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain were lower on Thursday morning. This was after a recovery in the previous session. According to LSEG, the Dutch front-month contract fell by 0.53 euros at 43.19 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) as of 0947 GMT. The May contract also dropped by 0.49 Euros to 43.18 Euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 2.50 pence more expensive at 104.00 cents per therm. LSEG data shows that the demand for heating in northwest Europe will fall by 604 gigawatt-hours per day (GWh/d), to 2535 GWh, on the day ahead. The supply of LNG and natural gas from Norway remains robust.
The Dutch prices of gas are rising on the back of cooler temperatures forecasts
Dutch wholesale gas prices increased on Tuesday morning, as cooler temperatures and a lower renewable energy output forecasts boosted demand. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was up 0.45 euros at 46.75 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $14.35 /mmBtu by 0906 GMT. The Dutch April contract increased by 1.06 euros to 46.81 Euro/MWh. In a daily note, LSEG analyst Wayne Bryan stated that temperatures are expected to drop below normal in Northwest Europe from 27 February to 4 March. LSEG forecasted that the local distribution zone…
EUROPE GAS - Prices trade within a narrow band amid cold weather and storage concerns
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas traded in a narrow band on Wednesday morning. They remained near their 15-month peak seen earlier this week amid a cold weather forecast and concern over the storage build. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was almost flat at 52.30 Euros per megawatt-hour (15.93/mmBtu) by 0949 GMT. The contract reached a high intra-day of 54.61 euro/MWh Monday. This is its highest level since 2023, and it has increased by over 30% since mid-December. The Dutch day-ahead contract increased by 0.37 euros to 52.65 Euro/MWh.
Prices for Europe GAS fall due to mixed temperatures and strong renewable output
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain fell on Tuesday, reversing a 15-month peak reached the previous session due to mixed weather forecasts and a higher renewable production. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was down by 1.18 euros at 52.57 Euro per Megawatt-Hour (MWh) or $15.91/mmBtu at 1235 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest intra-day level of 54.61 euro/MWh. This is its highest level since November 2023. The Dutch April contract is down by 2.00 euros at 51.65 Euro/MWh. The front-month contract in Britain fell by 3.77 pence to 127.28 pence per therm.
EUROPE GAS Prices fall on profit-taking and mixed temperatures outlook
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell on Tuesday morning due to profit-taking. Prices had reached a new 15-month-high on Monday, amid mixed weather forecasts for this week. According to LSEG, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub was lower by 0.65 euros at 53.10 Euro per Megawatt-hour (MWh) or $16.10/mmBtu at 0925 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest intra-day level of 54.61 euro/MWh. This is its highest level since November 2023. Engie EnergyScan analysts said that prices fell on Tuesday due to profit-taking, but the market is still strong. The Dutch April contract is down by 0.45 euros at 53.20 Euro/MWh.
EIA expects higher wholesale electricity prices in the U.S. by 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts higher wholesale electricity prices in 2025 for all regions of the United States, except Texas and Northwest. In a report released on Monday, the EIA stated that wholesale power prices may average $40 per Megawatt Hour (MWh) in 2019. This would represent 7% more than 2024. The EIA predicted that the average cost of electricity in U.S. households would rise by 2% without accounting for inflation. Southwest and California are expected to see the biggest increases in wholesale prices with an increase of 30% to 35%.
Six US LNG cargoes diverted to Europe by LNG traders
Analysts and shipping data indicate that traders diverted six cargoes of LNG bound for Asia into Europe in the first half of this month due to higher European prices, and weaker Asian demand. Weather forecasts indicate lower temperatures for northwest Europe. Data from analytics firm Kpler revealed that the vessels were loaded in America and initially headed for China, South Korea Thailand and Singapore. Between Jan. 8-14, the vessels changed course in the Atlantic Ocean and were destined for Europe. The diversions occur because Asian prices don't keep a sufficient premium over European prices to attract the cargoes…
Prices rise on increased demand for electricity and uncertainty about Russian flows
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday, as a result of a surge in demand from power plants and a decrease in wind speed. There is also uncertainty over Russian gas supplies to Europe due to the imminent end of the Ukraine transit agreement. The benchmark contract for the Dutch TTF hub rose by 0.30 euros to 43.58 euro per megawatt-hour (MWh), which is $13.68/mmBtu by 0955 GMT. Meanwhile, the contract for the next day was up 0.75 euros at 43.40 euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 1.2 p higher, at 107.60 pence per therm.
NW Europe Fuel oil Imports at 3-year High
A rush to replenish scarce supply of high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) pushed Northwest European imports of residual fuel oil to their highest in three years in November, analysts told Reuters.The Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) area, Europe's main trading and refining hub, received around 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of all types of fuel oil in November, the highest monthly volume since November 2021.That compared with an average of 332,000 bpd over January-October this year, according to trade analytics firm Kpler.Residual fuel oil is one of the key products refined from crude oil and is widely used in the maritime and construction industries.
In 2025, the global diesel price will be supported by refinery closures
Analysts and traders said that the global diesel market would likely see a price boost in 2025 due to the closing of around 1% of the refining capacity. This will offset the current weakness of the market and the structural downward pressure caused by the shift towards cleaner fuels. Markets end 2024 in a shaky state, despite the peak season demand. Margins in key energy hubs around the world, such as Singapore, Northwest Europe, and the Gulf of the United States, have fallen from November's high levels, due to the return of some refineries after maintenance shutdowns.
US Diesel Exports to ARA Set to Rise
Diesel shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Europe's main trading and refining hub, the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, are set to rise owing to improving export margins on the back of scarce supply in Europe and rising U.S. refinery production, according to traders and ship tracking data.Europe is seeking higher transatlantic diesel imports, as weaker export margins for shipments from east of Suez slowed flows on that route in the last two months. Rising European gasoil demand also prompted higher transatlantic imports.Independently held gasoil stocks in ARA fell for the third consecutive week on Thursday to 2.13 million tons…
Document shows that the EU Commission has set a 50% storage target by February 2025.
The European Commission announced on Friday that Europe had set a target to have its gas storage 50% full by February 1, 2025. This is to ensure supply security amid cold weather forecasts and fears of Russian gas disruption. It is important to ensure that the gas supplies of the EU do not fall too low during the winter months, and that the supply remains stable in light of the end expected for Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine's transit route. The goal of setting the target for February to an average minimum around 50% is to strengthen the security of the gas supply…
Prices for gas in Europe are not much different despite the cold weather forecast
Analysts said that the Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were not much different on Thursday, but could rise due to forecasts for colder weather conditions and reduced wind speeds. By 0922 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had fallen by 0.10 euros to 46.41 Euro per megawatt hour or MWh (or $14.60/mmbtu). The Dutch day-ahead contract fell 0.20 euros, to 46.40 Euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain fell 1.15 pence, to 115.27 pence per therm. Ulrich Weber, LSEG analyst, says that a significant…
EUROPE GAS prices hit an all-time high amid cold weather and supply concerns
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas hit an intraday record on Thursday, amid concerns about the Russian storage and supply inventories falling below last year's levels and a forecast of cold weather. LSEG data show that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had risen 0.86 euros to 47.67 euros a megawatt hour at 1012 GMT. This was a new intraday high. The British day-ahead contract increased 2.15 pence, to 119.25 pence per thermo, the highest intraday levels since November 2023. Analysts at Engie’s EnergyScan stated in a morning report that "concerns about EU gas stock...
Prices of EUROPE Gas are lower as Middle East Risk Premiums recede
Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas fell on Monday, as the market reduced its Middle East premium following Israel's weekend retaliation attack against Iran and forecasts for milder weather. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month gas contract at Dutch TTF hub dropped by 1.25 Euros to 42.25 Euros per megawatt hour by 0915 GMT. The front-month contract in the British market fell 2.75 pence, to 107.25 p/therm. And the day-ahead was down by 1.75 pence. Analysts at ING said that gas prices could trade lower today, as the markets are of the opinion that the Middle East may deescalate following the events over the weekend.
EUROPE GAS-Prices trade at narrow range amid mild weather forecast and low demand
Dutch and British wholesale price rose slightly, but were contained to a small range on Monday morning due to lower demand. LSEG data shows that the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub increased by 0.87 euros to 40.22 Euro per megawatt hour at 0934 GMT. The contract for December was 0.25 euros higher, at 40.00 Euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in the British market was up 2.25 cents at 98.50 pennies per therm. LSEG data shows that the average temperature in Northwest Europe was 4 degrees Celsius higher than the normal seasonal average. The weather will remain mild through October.
