Kazakhstan's Tengiz Oil Field to Remain Shut for Another 7-10 Days
Oil production at Kazakhstan's vast Tengiz oil field, one of the world's largest, could be halted for another 7-10 days after shutting down on Sunday, cutting crude exports via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, three industry sources told Reuters.The field's operator Tengizchevroil (TCO) said on Monday that due to power supply problems, production at the Tengiz and Korolevskoye field had been stopped.A day earlier, on January 18, a fire broke out at two turbine transformers at the field's GTES-4 power station…
Western Midstream renegotiates Occidental's contracts in the Delaware Basin
Western Midstream Partners, the operator of a pipeline in Delaware Basin, announced on Tuesday that it had renegotiated contracts for its Delaware Basin assets with Occidental Petroleum. The new contract provides a "simpler fixed fee structure" for natural gas gathering. Western Midstream will receive 15.3 million units of common stock worth $610 million as part of the deal. This would reduce Occidental's ownership by about 40% once the units have been redeemed. According to LSEG data, the U.S. shale producers is Western's largest shareholder.
Origin Energy, Australia's coal-fired power station in NSW, will continue to operate until 2029
Origin Energy announced on Tuesday that it will extend the operation all four?units?of its Eraring Power?Station?toApril 2029 to support energy supplies in New South Wales. Eraring's 2,880-megawatt coal-fired power plant was scheduled to close in August 2027. A December report from the Australian Energy 'Market Operator (AEMO), however, said that Sydney could experience blackouts if the plant is retired as planned. Australia aims to meet 82% of its energy needs with'renewable sources' by 2030.
Smulders to Deliver Jacket Foundation for French Offshore Wind Substation
Engineering firm Smulders has been selected by Chantiers de l’Atlantique to execute the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the offshore substation jacket foundation for the 600MW Dunkerque offshore wind farm in France.The jacket foundation will support the offshore substation for the project, with France’s electricity transmission operator RTE acting as the end client.Final assembly and delivery are scheduled to take place at Smulders’ French yard in Fos-sur-Mer.Smulders’ scope includes detailed engineering…
Philippines discovers first natural gas in over a decade
The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced on Monday that gas and condensate were found in a well near the existing 'Malampaya' gas field, off the island Palawan. This was the first natural gas discovery by the Philippines in over a decade. Marcos stated that the well, known as 'Malampaya East One or MAE-1', contains about 98 billion cubic foot of gas. This is equivalent to nearly 14 billion kWh in one year. Initial test results showed that the well was flowing at 60 million cubic foot per day. The well is capable of producing even more.
Chevron has approved the expansion of Israel’s Leviathan Gas Field
Chevron has made a final decision to invest in expanding production at Israel's Leviathan gas field. The oil major announced on Friday that it has made a final investment decision to expand production?at Israel's Leviathan natural gas field,?the?U.S. Leviathan is one of the largest gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean and the cornerstone of Israel’s energy system. The exports of gas to Egypt help supply LNG plants which ship gas to Europe. Chevron has…
French wind production drops, causing a split in spot prices
The French spot contract rose on Friday as the French wind supply was expected to fall by almost 40%, and nuclear output declined. Meanwhile, German demand and supply are expected to decrease, and German wind supply will be slightly higher. By 0926 GMT, the?French baseload day-ahead contract was up 18.4% to 107.75 Euros ($125.33). The German equivalent contract fell 8.2% to 109.5 euros/MWh. LSEG data revealed that German wind-power production was expected to increase by 730 megawatts, to 25.2 gigawatts.
EUROPE GAS - European benchmark hits 7-week-high on low storage, cold and geopolitics
The benchmark European gas contract reached a seven-week high due to colder weather forecasts and low storage levels, as well as increased geopolitical risk for LNG shipments. LSEG data revealed that the benchmark 'Dutch front month contract' at TTF hub had risen?0.93 euros to 29.35 euro per megawatt-hour (MWh) or $10.05/mmBtu by 0902 GMT. According to data, it briefly reached 29,69 euros/MWh - its highest level since 25 November. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was up 0.60 euro to 29.60 euros/MWh.
Storm Goretti increases spot electricity prices in Western Europe
The intraday price of power across Western European markets increased on Friday, as Storm Goretti caused power outages and problems with power generation equipment. EPEX spot data revealed that the average "baseload" price for Germany was 90.44 euro ($105.31), while France's price was 87.35 euro/MWh at 1207 GMT. LSEG data showed that this is higher than the closing spot price on Thursday of 74.75 euro/MWh or 67.75 euro respectively. Sabrina Kernbichler…
Oil Prices Rise 2% Amidst Venezuela Conflict, Supply Concerns
Oil prices rose about 2% on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed developments in Venezuela and on worries about supplies from Russia, Iraq and Iran.Brent futures rose $1.21, or 2%, to $61.17 per barrel at 11:17 a.m. EST (1617 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.02, or 1.8%, to $57.01.The U.S. seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of U.S.
Malaysia increases gas-fired electricity use in December, as coal dependence falls
Grid operator data shows that Malaysia increased its natural gas-fired electricity generation in December and reduced its reliance on coal. The rising production helped to boost local supply, and also expanded liquefied gas exports. Real-time data provided by Malaysia's Grid Systems Operator (GSO), showed that gas-fired electricity generation was responsible for the majority of the nearly 5% increase in electricity delivered to Peninsular Malaysia during December. This offset a decline in coal-fired production of 4.3%.
UK-based Harbour Energy is named as the operator of Mexico's Zama Oilfield
Harbour Energy, a British company focusing on the North Sea, announced Wednesday that it had been named the operator of the Zama oil field in Mexico after Pemex and its project partners, GrupoCarso, Talos Energy, agreed to this appointment. The announcement comes just days after Harbour signed a $3.2 Billion deal with?LLOG, which will allow it to enter the 'Gulf of Mexico and position the company as the operator of two of Mexico's largest offshore oil projects. Zama was discovered in 2017 and is estimated to have 750 million barrels equivalent oil resources.
Australian shares drop as miners and banks fall on holiday thin trade
Australian shares dropped on Monday. The final trading week of the year began on a quiet note as banks and miners led the losses. They eased from recent highs, as holiday turnover exaggerated movements across the market. Investors returned to the market after their Christmas and Boxing Day holidays, and turnover was about half of its 30-day average. The index is up more than 7% for this year, and it's on track to achieve a third consecutive annual increase. It has risen by roughly 24% from 2022 when the last time that it logged a decline in a single calendar year.
EUROPE GAS-European Gas Prices Rise on Colder Weather Demand
Dutch and British gas rates posted modest gains on Thursday, but it is expected that they will remain flat as the 'increased demand due to colder weather' can be easily met through pipelines and liquefied natural gas deliveries. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was 27.57 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) or $9.48/mmBtu at 0907 GMT. This is an increase of 0.19 euros. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was up by 0.41 euros to 27.36 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead price of gas was 0.90 pence higher at 71.00 pence/therm.
EUROPE GAS-European gas prices rise due to a colder and less windy climate, LNG shortage
Gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain rose on Wednesday, supported by an improved weather forecast and an interruption at the Freeport Liquefied Natural Gas?plant. Storages are still 'below previous years' levels. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was 27.50 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh) or $9.44/mmBtu at 0941 GMT. This is an increase of 0.60 Euro. The February contract increased by 0.45 euros to 27.19 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead gas prices increased by 1.40 pence to 70.50 pence a therm.
Kyivstar, Ukraine's largest mobile network operator, purchases solar power plant for increased resilience
Kyivstar, Ukraine's mobile operator, announced on Tuesday that it has?acquired? solar power company Sunvin 11?as it steps up energy investments to keep its network running amid Russian attacks against the country's grid. Kyivstar is Ukraine's largest mobile operator, which offers digital?healthcare, entertainment and other services. It has added backup?capacity as well as alternative connectivity options in response to Russia's attacks on the?Ukrainian?energy infrastructure.
French spot increases on weakened wind supply
The French spot electricity price on Tuesday increased as the wind generation output was expected to decline while demand was expected to increase due cooler temperatures. The French day-ahead 'baseload power' price at 0912 GMT was 89 euros ($104.42), up 20.4% on the Friday closing price for Monday delivery. After the Friday price for delivery on Monday closed at 87.40 Euros/MWh, the equivalent German price has not been traded. LSEG data revealed that the German?wind energy output will fall by 8.6 Gigawatts on Tuesday to 14.7 GW.
Gascade Converts Pipelines for Alternative Marine Fuels
German gas grid operator Gascade on Thursday said it has converted a 400 km (249 miles) high-pressure pipeline to transport low-carbon hydrogen southwards from the Baltic Sea as part of a European core network to ship alternatives to fossil fuel.New hydrogen pipelines, or conversions of existing ones, will serve to help meet European Union goals of net zero emissions by 2050, with the Ukraine war also sharpening the focus on energy security in the bloc…
Kazakhstan to Divert Kashagan Oil to China After Ukraine Drone Attack
Kazakhstan said on Wednesday it would redirect some oil from its Kashagan field to China and other routes after a Ukrainian drone attack last month on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's Black Sea terminal in Russia.The decision was announced by the energy ministry after Reuters reported earlier this week that Kazakhstan plans to supply crude to China directly from Kashagan for the first time after the Ukrainian attack damaged the CPC terminal.The CPC, which accounts for 1% of global crude supply and includes Russian, Kazakh and U.S.
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.