US PJM electricity demand hits preliminary winter records during winter freeze
PJM Interconnection, a power grid operator in the United States, said on Wednesday that it had set a preliminary winter record with a peak load exceeding 145,000 megawatts. It also exported 8,000 MW due to extreme cold across the country. This record is higher than the previous one of 143.700 MW, set in February 2015. Data verification will be conducted by PJM. PJM serves 65 million people across 13 states, from Illinois to New Jersey. Mike Bryson said that PJM senior vice president for operations is expecting a high demand of nearly 140…
Portugal imports more US and Nigerian LNG in order to stop Russian supplies
The Portuguese government plans to buy more liquefied gas (LNG), mainly from the United States, and Nigeria to replace its already diminishing Russian supplies. This was announced by Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho on Tuesday. Data from the electricity and gas grid operator REN show that Portugal will import 49,141 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2024. Of this, 96% is LNG. About 40% of these LNG deliveries came from the United States, and about 4.4% from Russia. In 2021, Russia will account for 15% of Portugal’s LNG.
Hungary will increase its gas exports to Slovakia starting April
The transmission system operator FGSZ announced on Tuesday that Hungary would increase its gas export to Slovakia from 2.63 billion cubic metres per year to 3.5 bcm by April. Hungary's decision to increase its export capacity to the north follows Ukraine refusing to renew a transit agreement with Russia, as it seeks a reduction in revenue that goes to Moscow for funding the war in Ukraine. The expiration of this deal has stopped a major route for Russian Gas to be shipped into Slovakia and Western Europe.
Sovcomflot, a Russian airline, says that new U.S. Sanctions create operational difficulties
Sovcomflot - the largest Russian tanker company - said that the new U.S. Sanctions would cause additional operational difficulties. It also accused the West for undermining global merchant shipping. Sovcomflot stated that the company's ships do not form part of a "shadow fleet". The sanctions against Sovcomflot were not based on any violations by the company or legal basis. They were motivated solely by political interests, including those of the United States.
Kinder Morgan will purchase a natgas gathering systems for $640 million
Kinder Morgan, a pipeline operator, said that its Hiland Partners unit has agreed to purchase a natural-gas gathering and processing system from Outrigger Energy II LLC in North Dakota for $640m. As U.S. oil production has increased, the oil and gas sector has seen a consolidation of operators. Persistent problems with permits for new pipelines also have made existing operators valuable. Kinder Morgan purchased NextEra Energy’s South Texas gas pipelines for $1.82 billion in 2023.
Centrica: Britain's gas reserves are "concerningly small"
Centrica, the operator of Britain's largest storage facility, stated on Friday that Britain's gas levels were "concerningly" low, with less than one week's worth of gas left to be consumed following a recent cold snap. Britain relies heavily on gas to heat its homes and generate electricity. As of 9th January 2025, UK stockpiles are 26% less than the inventory of last year at the same date, and they're only half full. Centrica stated that the UK had less than one week's worth of gas in stock.
Germany's DET confirms Q1 bookings of LNG capacity at two terminals
The German company Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET), which operates the LNG terminals in Brunsbuettel and Wilhelmshaven, has announced that it successfully sold three LNG slots for each of its Wilhelmshaven locations for the first quarter of this year. The pipeline gas supply from Russia into central Europe ceased on January 1, so some countries affected are now relying on other supply routes and increased LNG deliveries. In an email, the company stated that "On Monday, Dec.
French spot prices drop on mild temperatures and high winds
French prompt power prices dropped on Monday due to mild temperatures and the expectation of high German wind power output. The price of French baseload electricity for Tuesday dropped by more than 40%, to 72.25 Euros ($74.82). William Peck, Energy Aspects analyst, said that the primary reason for this is because these days were very mild. The French grid operator RTE predicted them to be 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal. He also mentioned high wind power levels in France and Germany.
Constellation wins $1 billion contract to supply nuclear energy to the US government
Constellation Energy announced on Thursday that it had been awarded contracts worth a record-breaking $1 billion to supply nuclear energy to the U.S. Government. As part of an agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration, Constellation, America's largest nuclear power plant operator, will provide electricity to over 13 federal agencies. The GSA estimated the contracts will begin on April 25 and include over 10 million Megawatt-hours of electricity over a period of 10 years, which is equivalent to powering over 1 million homes each year.
Pennsylvania Governor complains about PJM power market rules to regulator
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has filed a complaint against PJM Interconnection with a federal energy regulatory agency on Monday. He argues that the U.S.'s largest power grid operator, PJM Interconnection, must change their market rules to avoid escalating electricity prices. PJM Interconnection has been under increased scrutiny since July when it announced that its annual capacity auction will result in record-high payment to power plants within its system.
EUROPE GAS - Prices rise due to colder weather forecast and transit concerns in Ukraine
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday, boosted by cold weather forecasts in January and the fading hope of a new agreement to transit Russian gas via Ukraine. By 0914 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had increased by 1.27 euros to 46.80 euros/megawatt hour or $14.36/mmBtu. The contract for February was increased by 1,211 euros to 46,96 euros/MWh. The front-month contract in Britain increased by 2.44 pence to 118.20 cents per therm.
Prices of EUROPE Gases rise slightly as trading is thin ahead of holidays
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were slightly higher on Wednesday, in light trading ahead Christmas holidays throughout Europe. This is because there remains uncertainty over Russian gas supplies when the Ukraine Gas Transit Deal expires this year. The benchmark contract for the Dutch TTF hub, the front-month contract, was up 0.25 euro at 46.00 euros per Megawatt Hour, or 14.36 mmBtu by 0947 GMT. Meanwhile, the day-ahead contracts was up 0.69 euro at 45.92 Euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 2.15 pence more expensive at 114.50p per therm.
Germany's Wilhelmshaven Terminal offers May LNG Capacity
Deutsche Energy Terminal (DET) said on Thursday that Germany's Wilhelmshaven liquefied natural gas terminal intends to market capacity for ships to discharge LNG in May 2025, adding that there would be limited slots available in the first quarter there and at another location.DET has been commissioned by Berlin since the height of Europe's energy crisis in 2022 to market regasification of gas volumes arriving on LNG tankers, as well as related storage and…
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.
DET: Germany's Wilhelmshaven Liquefied natural gas terminal will not operate in Q1
According to its operator, the government-owned Wilhelmshaven terminal in Germany, which was built to address Europe's energy shortage, will not be able to receive any LNG deliveries until at least the first quarter 2025. In a market announcement, Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH said that there would be no regasification activities at the terminal from Jan. 5, 2025 to April 1, 2025. However, this is not final, and plans could change in the short term. DET…
China's CNOOC sold US assets to Britain’s INEOS
CNOOC Ltd, a Chinese company, has sold its U.S. subsidiaries, along with its upstream oil assets and gas assets, in the Gulf of Mexico to British chemicals group INEOS. This was announced by CNOOC on Saturday. CNOOC Energy Holdings U.S.A., a subsidiary of INEOS, has entered into a sale agreement with a subsidiary of CNOOC relating to CNOOC’s upstream oil-and-gas assets in the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. The deal includes non-operator interest in oil and gas fields such as Appomattox, Stampede and Stampede.
Data shows that Tengiz oilfield's output in December was 20% lower than planned.
Estimates based on data from the Kazakh energy ministry and analysis service SAC TEK show that output from Kazakhstan's largest oil field Tengiz operated by U.S. giant Chevron was 20% below its planned plan in December. This helped Kazakhstan meet its OPEC+ production target. Tengiz had been expected to return to full oil production early in December after a maintenance program that began late in October. Kazakhstan, which depends on Tengiz, the Karachaganak, and Kashagan for most of its oil production, has to meet output targets because it is a member of OPEC+.
Britain announces plan to encourage the development of clean energy projects
The UK launched on Friday a plan that will make it easier for developers and investors to build clean energy project, which they hope will help them meet their climate targets as well as create jobs. The UK has set a goal to decarbonise the power sector largely by 2030. This will reduce its dependence on gas-fired plants and increase its renewable energy capacity rapidly. Last month, the National Energy System Operator said that a new system of connecting projects to the grid and a restructured planning process would be required to meet the target.
Shell to Add Two Wells at GoM Perdido Platform
Shell said on Thursday its unit has made a final investment decision to add two wells at the Perdido platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to boost production.The Shell unit, which operates the Perdido platform, said the two wells are expected to produce up to 6,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak rates.The wells will be located in the Silvertip Frio reservoir, where Shell is the operator with a 40% stake and Chevron holds the remaining 60%. First production from the wells is expected in 2026.
Serica Energy expands its North Sea operations with the acquisition of assets from Parkmead Group
Serica Energy, a North Sea-focused company, announced on Thursday that it will purchase exploration and production assets of Parkmead Group Plc at an initial cost of 6 million pounds (5 million pounds). Serica acquired all shares of Parkmead Ltd., including a 50% stake on the Skerryvore license in central North Sea, and a working interest of 50% in Fynn Beauly, an undeveloped UK oilfield. Serica stated that an additional 9 million pounds deferred will be paid in the next three-year period, as well as contingent payments based upon certain development milestones.
